"John 9:35-10:21
Honour God in all circumstances
God honours those who honour him and do what is right – even when it is costly to do so and even through the trials and difficulties of life. We see how each of the main characters honours the Lord: Naomi (1:8–9), Ruth (v.17 and following), Boaz (2:4,12; 3:10,13; 4:11).
The book of Ruth begins with Naomi despairing of the kindness of God (Ruth 1:20–21). She then experiences many of the people around her displaying great human kindness. She experiences it in her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah (v.8) and in Boaz’s treatment of Ruth. Finally, she declares, ‘He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead’ (2:20).
Ruth obeys her mother-in-law in every detail. Naomi’s concern is wholly for Ruth’s well-being. Boaz is self-controlled, generous and honourable. Boaz’s life is obviously God-centred. His immediate reaction when he wakes up and sees Ruth is, ‘The Lord bless you’ and ‘as the Lord lives’ (3:10;13).
Yesterday, we saw how Ruth honoured the Lord and did the right thing by being loyal to her mother-in-law. Today, we see how Boaz clearly wanted to marry Ruth and felt it was the right thing, yet did not simply go ahead as he could have done on the basis of the end justifying the means. He was completely upright in the way that he approached the matter – abiding by the etiquette and traditions of the culture.
Boaz did not just rush ahead and get married. He went through the correct process. Humanly speaking he was taking a great risk and might have lost Ruth. But he trusted that the Lord was in control.
The Lord honoured this in an amazing and wonderful way. Boaz and Ruth were married and gave birth to the grandfather of King David (4:17). Indeed Ruth, the servant girl, became an ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5–6). We see the kindness of God throughout the book of Ruth. Behind the human kindness of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz lies the kindness of God.
Lord, thank you for your amazing kindness to me. Give me courage to honour you always and to seek to do the right thing even when that is difficult."
1. Thank You for all the kindness You give, may I bring this kindness to others.
2. Praise God for the cell group, it really helps in strengthening my prayer life.
3. Thank You for being able to discern what is wrong and right, only by Your grace.
