Members of God's Household

Salem Bible Study
Teachings on Community
Ruth 2:5-12 (The Message)
 ⁵ Boaz asked his young servant who was foreman over the farm hands, "Who is this young woman? Where did she come from?"
 ^6-7 The foreman said, "Why, that's the Moabite girl, the one who came with Naomi from the country of Moab. She asked permission. 'Let me glean,' she said, 'and gather among the sheaves following after your harvesters.' She's been at it steady ever since, from early morning until now, without so much as a break."
 ^8-9 Then Boaz spoke to Ruth: "Listen, my daughter. From now on don't go to any other field to glean—stay right here in this one. And stay close to my young women. Watch where they are harvesting and follow them. And don't worry about a thing; I've given orders to my servants not to harass you. When you get thirsty, feel free to go and drink from the water buckets that the servants have filled."
 ¹⁰ She dropped to her knees, then bowed her face to the ground. "How does this happen that you should pick me out and treat me so kindly—me, a foreigner?"
 ^11-12 Boaz answered her, "I've heard all about you—heard about the way you treated your mother-in-law after the death of her husband, and how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth and have come to live among a bunch of total strangers. God reward you well for what you've done—and with a generous bonus besides from God, to whom you've come seeking protection under his wings."

For Reflection:
Ruth's reputation preceded her.  She could have been just tolerated.  Perhaps, Boaz's  preferential treatment of her signified an acceptance far greater than she had expected.  That's the way it is in God's Kingdom.  Ruth was seen as worth accepting into the household and treated as any other household member.  Goodness, kindness, and steadfastness is always rewarded in the community of believers.

Pray that all those who act Godly will be recognized and in seeking the the Kingdom become accepted into the fold.