Finding Favor

The story of Ruth shows us what favor will do for any one of God’s children.

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. Ruth 1:16-17 (KJV)

Ruth was committed to Naomi, her mother-in-;aw, and counted the cost to stay with her. Basically, Ruth said, “Where you go, I will go. Where you live, I will live, Your people are my people and your God is mine.” Ruth was honoring Naomi, and God was positioning Ruth for favor.

And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

Ruth expected to find favor with Boaz, the owner of the field. He was a kinsman redeemer, one who could pay her debt and free her. God led her to work in the field of Boaz.

Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Ruth 2:8 (KJV)

Ruth expected to find favor with Boaz, and she did. We must expect to find favor so favor can find us. Then, we will find favor with God and man.

Favor means to be preferred above others. When you’re favored, people like you and do things for you. Favor will put us where we can’t put ourselves. it will keep us where God wants us. Favor gives us preferential treatment. It makes us noticeable so people look well upon us and bless us. It causes others to do good for us and not to harm us.

Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. Ruth 2:10-12 (KJV)

Ruth asked Boaz why she found favor with him. He explained that he had noticed how good she had been to Naomi. Ruth forsook all and found favor. She chose to follow God, and as a result, Boaz chose her. As we live under God’s care, God will care for us. Because Ruth found favor with Boaz, he told her to glean in his fields and no other. He had his men leave extra for her to glean. Favor puts us in the field that God wants us to work in.

So the story goes that Boaz redeemed Ruth and married her. God’s favor turned all the trials Naomi and Ruth faced into a redemptive story. Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed. Obed had Jesse, and Jesse had David. And out of the lineage of David came the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5-6, 16). Jesus would become our Boaz, the Kinsman Redeemer of the entire human race to redeem us from sin, satan, sickness, setbacks, etc.

Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day. Ruth 4:10 (KJV)

Boaz purchased Ruth to be his wife. Christ purchased us to be His Bride. So, now we find favor with our Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus, to bless us in all we are and do..