Jonah was a prophet of Israel who lived about the time of Jeroboam II (2Kgs. 14:25). His name means dove, and he occupies a unique place as the first foreign missionary. The historical character of Jonah’s preservation in the great fish and his preaching to the inhabitants of Nineveh is attested by Christ, who likens the prophet’s experience to His own burial and resurrection (Mat. 12:38–42).
Therefore, when we consider our need for a Kinsman-Redeemer regarding our sin, apart from Jesus Christ, all others—including ourselves—are disqualified.
Not one of us can predict the specific ways that the LORD plans for us to serve Him or the sphere of influence He will give to us as His servants. Each one of us must take the very next step by faith, and then the next step after that by faith, and so forth.
Many are eager to redeem when they see opportunity to gain for themselves. True grace and great mercy take on cost in order to redeem.
Anytime “It’s out of my hands,” someone else must handle the work and the responsibility. If I interject myself into that situation, I mess it up—the failure belongs to me alone! What part of “It’s out of my hands!” do we not understand?
Ruth and her “Restoration Requested” actually is “an easy ask” even if it takes her out of her comfort zone. “Restoration Requested” is far more difficult to accomplish since it not personal—it is legal.
Throughout this passage there is much “Grace to behold”: God enabling Ruth to work in behalf of her mother-in-law; God enabling Boaz to “abandon more” to glean; God enabling Naomi to get past “Mara” and begin to see hope; God enabling Boaz to insist upon Ruth gleaning behind his reapers. May God the Holy Spirit train our spiritual eyes and enable them to see more and more of His grace that already is in our lives.
Throughout this passage there is much “Grace to behold”: God enabling Ruth to work in behalf of her mother-in-law; God enabling Boaz to “abandon more” to glean; God enabling Naomi to get past “Mara” and begin to see hope; God enabling Boaz to insist upon Ruth gleaning behind his reapers. May God the Holy Spirit train our spiritual eyes and enable them to see more and more of His grace that already is in our lives.
“‘Great faith’ or ‘Faith in a great God’?” truly is not a difficult question to answer. The Lord Jesus Christ spoke of faith the size of a mustard seed sending a rooted tree into the sea. Therefore, it is not the size of one’s faith, but the object of one’s faith that makes all the difference!
What practical experience did Ruth have for “being led by faith” prior to Bethlehem? Ruth’s decision to leave Moab and her personal, determined commitment to the LORD result in God the Holy Spirit leading her to the correct field at the correct time in order to receive a timely blessing for her and Naomi that the LORD would grow into a timeless blessing for them, Boaz, and so many others!