Kindness – 30 June 2009

Ruth and Naomi had nothing when they arrived in , and were classed as strangers in the land.  They hoped that God would provide for them.  Ruth knew she needed to find food for herself and Naomi and so she went to a field and asked permission to collect the barley grains that fell from the back of the reapers.  The field belonged to Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s husband, and Boaz instructed his workers to allow lots of grain to fall to enable her to collect as much as they needed.  Once Boaz realised that Ruth and Naomi were relatives, he also invited Ruth to come and eat with him and his workers, and to have as much food and water as she needed.

“How can you be so kind? You must know that I am a foreigner”

“Yes I know, and I also know of all the love and kindness that you have shown to your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you left your own mother and father in your own land to come here and live amongst strangers.  May the Lord God of Israel,.. bless you for it”

Ruth 2: 10 – 12

Ruth showed great kindness to Naomi in staying with her; Boaz showed kindness to Ruth both through providing for her initial needs in the fields, and eventually through taking her as a wife.  God showed his kindness to Ruth, Naomi and Boaz by bringing them together for his purposes.

Christ showed his kindness by purchasing us to guarantee our eternal life.  God’s kindness in providing a redeemer for our lives should motivate us to love and honour him.

In what ways could you display more of this kindness in your important relationships? What could a person learn about God’s kindness from seeing your relationships with your friends?