Passage Read: Ruth 1-4
Meditation Verses: 2:10-12
Thought
What a great question! Ruth's humility is evident here: She is surprised at the kindness shown to her, both because she is a widow and a foreigner. She doesn't expect anyone to think of her or show her kindness, so when it comes, she can't imagine why! Yet she is a woman of excellence, as Boaz points out later. She has abandoned whatever life she could have had if she stayed in her own homeland, in order to serve Naomi, an older widow who had no hope of remarriage and children. And she worked diligently in the field to provide for herself and Naomi. She truly was of noble character, showing no pride or arrogance, expecting others to recognize and reward her excellence. And Boaz was the kind of true believer in God who understood what God valued, and recognized it in her, so he was moved to compassion and generosity toward her and Naomi.
Application
It is the humble and contrite in spirit, who tremble at God's Word, these are the people God honors. If I want God to honor me, that's what I need to be. But this is also the kind of people that I should hold in high honor and be delighted to bless, if I also have the heart of God. These are the kind of people who should impress me and move me to find ways to bless. The meek and humble, who don't know how great they are in God's sight. Who have no pretension, no arrogance, but a heart to give up their own lives, hopes, ambitions, to care for those in need. These are the giants in God's kingdom.