It is with love, redemption, and grace that we receive the favor of the Lord. It is not something we earn or can even obtain on our own. Ruth, a widowed Moabite, would not have been the typical, likely choice for favor in the Old Testament. She came from a tribe whose history is heavy with shame and dishonor. Yet, Boaz, a man of wealth and honor, chose to show undeniable favor to Ruth as her kinsman redeemer. Ruth had no way of obtaining any kind of favor from Boaz. Her receiving of anything strictly depended on Boaz giving it. The Hebrew word “favor” (hen) Ruth speaks of in 2:13 is written in the context “to find favor.” The favor received is dependent on the one with the power to give it. Boaz had the authority and power to give favor with his reputation and resources. Ruth recognized this because she perceived a great contrast between herself and Boaz’s maidservants. She fell to the ground in a posture of humility, fully aware of the grace Boaz was showing her. Given Ruth’s history, howwas she able to receive suchgrace from Boaz? Was he just simply a compassionate man towards Ruth? Was it random for her to be the recipient? The favor Ruth received was from the sovereignty of God. There is no randomness in this story. The favor is a part of the redemptive story of Jesus Christ. Ruth & Boaz 28
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