Nougat 19

Hello dearie

I pray you are doing well. I’ve been thinking about this business of Ruth and Boaz, and the lessons inherent in it.

Today’s Holy Nougat, for me, is an invitation to gratitude.

“Then she kneeled face downward, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes that you should notice me, when I am a foreigner?”” Ruth‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭AMP‬‬

She knew her place.

She was a widow and a foreigner and she was childless. Not a good combination at all. In those days, ritual purity also meant refraining from marrying an outsider. It was bad enough that her dead husband married her; but with him dead and her being childless she was dependent on Naomi for status; but Naomi was also a widow and beyond childbearing age. No hope of a husband from her! (By law Ruth could marry her husband’s brother; and any child from the union would be credited as the first husband’s. This allowed the husband’s name to continue beyond his generation, especially if the first union produced no heir). Ruth was in a somewhat desperate and dangerous place. It may have been wise to blend in the woodwork. So she tried to do just that, to remain on the outskirts.

But her care and dedication towards her mother-in-law left people talking. And news travelled. To one of the most important men in the community. He owned one of the farms that was large enough to hire out workers. In his generosity, he also allowed the poor to get leftovers for their survival.

This is where we find Ruth in conversation with Boaz. She’d been singled out for special treatment. For, rather than waiting for the leftovers (aka whatlef), she was elevated to reap ALONGSIDE Boaz’ hired hands! Moreover, what she reaped was hers!!!!

I’d be asking questions too!

There’s some great news for us all – we didn’t do anything to deserve the blessings we receive from God. Nothing. Our personal righteousness has ZERO value in God’s sight. Our works: even less. But

While we were still outsiders (living the vida sinful), Christ Jesus grafted us into the family by His death at Calvary. No strings, just pure Love. Generosity like Boaz; plus double dose for grace.

How do we respond? Do we ‘kneel face downward, bowing to the ground, and say to God, “Why have I found favor in your eyes that you should notice me, when I am a sinner?”’, and live in gratitude to Jesus for the Gift? Or do we act as though it’s is our due, and fail to give thanks. Or, do we carry on as though the awesome gift of Eternal Life never happened?

The choice is ours.

In Christ’s love and grace . . .