Sovereign Kindness
Do people see the love and care of Jesus Christ through our kindness? May we have Sovereign Kindness – the kindness from God that gives us comfort and assurance and may we extend the kindness that reveals who He is to others. In the book of Ruth, Redeemer’s Kindness and Restored Kindness can be found through the kindness of Boaz that reveals God’s kindness to His people.
First, under Redeemer’s Kindness is Secured Kindness (vv. 8-9). When Boaz gave Ruth permission to glean in his field without limits, this gives her security because she has a daily source of food rather than having to go to different fields and possibly getting kicked out of the field by other owners. We also see Boaz offering protection by commanding Ruth to stay close to the women workers and commanding his men not to touch her. Boaz has a big field which means that there are potential dangers. These two reflects the Redeemer’s secured kindness for his people – stability and protection. God does this for us every day and that shows He watches over his people. Second, sufficient kindness. In verses 14-16, sufficient kindness is shown when Boaz invites Ruth to dine with his employees. In addition, Boaz instructs his workers to intentionally leave grains for her to glean. Boaz continued to go the extra mile, more than sufficient kindness.
Under Restored Kindness, we see two things: Surprising and Sacrificial Kindness. When Ruth came home in verse 18 from gleaning the whole day, Naomi was surprised! An ephah is around I bushel and can last for weeks. Ruth would have been gasping on her way home by carrying such a heavy load. Normal gleaning would just be barely enough for a meal. This is God’s kindness restored when Naomi realized that this was the act of God in her life (v.20). Back in chapter 1:20, what was her attitude to the Lord? Call me Mara, I’m bitter. She departed from the presence of God, got angry at God, blamed God, and now God is extending His grace to her. Lastly, sacrificial kindness. When God united Boaz and Ruth, his kindness continued because their great grandson would be David and ultimately, in the New Testament we have Jesus Christ. He gave sacrificial kindness by giving His all. Jesus endured a life of suffering and died a sacrificial death just for you and me. Having received his ultimate kindness, shouldn’t that empower us?
Can we give sacrificially also to God and to other people? Even if you are lacking, are you willing to sacrifice for God and for others? God gave the ultimate sacrifice by giving His all. Having understood kindness, we should pick up the Spirit of kindness in our lives to show the love of God. Everyone needs kindness. Think of others rather than yourselves. We can extend kindness in many ways, most importantly sovereign kindness – the kindness received from God is passed on to reveal who He is. And through our kindness, people will see us as followers of Jesus. He is the one who taught us what true kindness is. Has God shown vou kindness? Is that kindness transforming you as you relate with others?
We can extend kindness in many ways, most importantly sovereign kindness – the kindness received from God is passed on to reveal who He is. And through our kindness, people will see us as followers of Jesus.
