What can we learn from Ruth's response to Boaz about receiving grace? Scripture Focus “ She fell facedown, bowed to the ground, and said to him, ‘Why have I found favor in your eyes that you should take notice of me, though I am a foreigner?’ ” (Ruth 2:10) Observations from Ruth 2:10 • Physical response: “fell facedown, bowed to the ground” – a posture of deep respect and worship. • Verbal response: “Why have I found favor…?” – she marvels at grace, not presuming on it. • Self-assessment: “though I am a foreigner” – she acknowledges her outsider status. • Recipient focus: “you should take notice of me” – the spotlight stays on the giver’s kindness, not her merit. Lessons on Receiving Grace • Adopt humble posture – Grace is best received on our knees, not our tiptoes. – Psalm 25:9 “ He guides the humble in what is right.” • Express honest surprise – Genuine gratitude begins with “Why me?” instead of “Of course.” – Luke 18:13 “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” • Acknowledge unworthiness without self-loathing – Ruth names her foreignness, not to wallow in shame, but to highlight Boaz’s kindness. – Ephesians 2:12-13 reminds Gentiles they were “strangers,” now “brought near by the blood of Christ.” • Center on the giver’s character – Boaz’s favor mirrors God’s covenant kindness (hesed). – Titus 3:5 “He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy.” • Receive actively, not passively – Ruth gathers grain after bowing; gratitude moves into obedient action. – James 2:17 “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Parallel Echoes in Scripture • Mephibosheth before David – 2 Samuel 9:8 “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” • Centurion before Jesus – Luke 7:6-7 “I am not worthy… but say the word.” • One healed leper returns – Luke 17:15-16 “He fell facedown at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him.” • Saul after Damascus – Acts 9:6 “Lord, what do You want me to do?” humility turned into service. Why This Matters for Us Today • Grace still surprises; if it no longer astonishes, we have forgotten our foreignness. • Humility fuels worship; bowing low lets God lift us high (James 4:10). • Thankful hearts become willing hands; recipients of favor become channels of favor (2 Corinthians 9:8). • Our story echoes Ruth’s: outsiders welcomed, nurtured, and written into redemption’s lineage (Ephesians 2:19). |
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