Trey Corry

Grace Bible Church

“Grace at First Sight”

Ruth 2:1-23

Ruth 2 teaches us how to better understand, receive, and give the grace of God away. Grace results from God's sovereignty as we receive it in humility and faith so that we can give it away lavishly.

INTRODUCTION:

I. Ruth 2 is not a case of love at first sight. Not about romance, but GRACE.

II. Ruth 2:2 sets the essential THEME – search of “favor” vs. chapter 1’s search for security. Boaz’s kindness/favor to Ruth is not prompted by love but by grace at first sight.

III. We will see how to better understand, receive, and give grace.

I. Grace always results from God’s sovereignty (1:22-2:7).

a. Grace represented by Ruth’s helpless request to glean (2:2-3a, cf. Lev 19:9-10).

i. Grace = only hope with helpless circumstances

ii. Corners & fallen for poor, foreigner, or traveler. Ruth comes after reapers!

b. Grace resulted from God’s sovereignty in Ruth’s life (1:22-2:1, 2:3b-7).

i. God ordained the timing of Ruth and Naomi’s return (1:22).

ii. God ordained the provision and familial relations of Boaz (2:1, 4).

1. Narrator prepares Boaz for us in 2:1 to raise our anticipation.

2. God prepares Boaz as “prominent man of wealth” & spiritual!

iii. God ordained Ruth’s visit to Boaz’s field (2:3b).

(Literally “her chance chanced upon …” - NOT chance but sovereignty)

c. Grace results from God’s sovereignty in our lives as well.

i. It is by His sovereign and lavish grace that we have forgiveness (Eph 1:5-8).

ii. Why have you experienced God’s grace? What provokes His grace?

iii. Problem = American spirit of self-sufficiency and self-made man = PRIDE

The way we receive grace clearly reveals our belief about why we receive grace.

Since grace results from His sovereignty, then we must receive it in humility and faith.

Ruth provides us a perfect glimpse at how to properly receive grace …

II. Grace always must be received by humility and faith (2:8-13).

a. Ruth received grace in humility and faith (2:8-13).

i. CONTEXT – First Words (Not Love at First Sight)

1. SIGHT: Ruth working in field (dirty)

2. WORDS: “Listen carefully my daughter” (2:8-9). (Not a pickup line)

ii. Ruth responded in humility and surprise to Boaz’s grace (2:10, 13).

1. BODY: Ruth physically bowed down (2:10a).

2. WORDS: Why did you notice the unnoticeable? No expectation (2:10b).

3. IDENTITY: Self perception lower than the lowest servant (2:13).

iii. Ruth’s Abraham-like faith precedes Boaz’s grace (2:11-12, cf. Gen 12:1).

b. We receive grace in humility and faith as well.

i. Humility and faith always precede grace (Eph 2:8-9, James 4:6).

ii. Problem = American sense of entitlement

iii. How do you receive grace? Too prideful to accept? Abuse it? Bored? Boast?

Boaz provides us a perfect glimpse at how to properly give grace …

III. Lavish grace always brings blessing (2:14-23).

a. Boaz lavishes grace beyond God’s required minimum to Ruth/Naomi (2:14-18, 20b-23).

i. Boaz already protected Ruth from sexual abuse or “touch” (2:8-9a).

ii. Boaz already allowed her to drink from the servants’ water jars (2:9b).

iii. Boaz satisfied her “full belly” at mealtime along with reapers (2:14).

iv. Boaz allowed her to reap within the field very, very easily (2:9, 15-17).

v. Boaz provided for Naomi as well in Ruth’s leftovers [30lbs] (2:18).

vi. Boaz provided for their immediate and future needs (2:21-23).

b. Naomi blesses Boaz and the Lord (2:19-20a).

c. Lavish grace will result in blessing for us as well.

i. Minimalists

ii. NT Portraits of Grace:

1. Good Samaritan story (Luke 10:30-37)

2. Perfume wasted (Matthew 26:6-12)

d. May we waste grace …

i. within our relationships with roommates!

ii. within our relationships with students in group projects!

iii. within our relationships even with STRANGERS!

CONCLUSION

Has the grace of God radically altered your life yet?

What would our life look like if grace further penetrated our lives? Do you still live like a slave?

Could Boaz bring plot resolution beyond simply a meal? Beyond the rest of harvest?