Faithfulness Results in Blessing

Ruth: The Story of Redemption — Ruth 2
May 25, 2025

Main Idea:

God will meet us in our faith.

Introduction

It’s graduation season — a time filled with commencement speeches urging hard work and seizing opportunities. Similarly, Ruth 2 shows us how faith takes action, and how God’s blessing flows through everyday faithfulness.

I. Faith Requires Action

Ruth 2:2–3

And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, ‘Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.’ And she said to her, ‘Go, my daughter.’ So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.

• Ruth volunteers to glean — to collect leftover grain, as the Law allowed for the poor, widows, and foreigners.

• Leviticus 19:9–10

  When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge… You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.

• Leviticus 23:22

  When you reap the harvest… you shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.

• Deuteronomy 24:19

  When you reap… and forget a sheaf… it shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

Ruth’s hard work, even in hardship, is met by God’s providence — she “just happens” to end up in Boaz’s field.

Proverbs 28:19–20

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. A faithful man will abound with blessings…

Takeaway: Faith is not passive — it takes action, discipline, and trust.

II. Faithfulness Inspires Faithfulness

Ruth 2:4–9

And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, ‘The Lord be with you!’ And they answered, ‘The Lord bless you.’ Then Boaz said… ‘Whose young woman is this?’ … Boaz said to Ruth, ‘Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field… Stay close… I have charged the young men not to touch you… When you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink.’

• Boaz, a godly man, notices Ruth’s faithfulness and responds with protection and provision.

• Romans 1:11–12

  For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you — that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

Takeaway: When we see others’ faithfulness, it encourages and strengthens our own.

III. Faithful People Go the Extra Mile

Matthew 5:38–42

If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs… Do not refuse the one who would borrow…

Ruth 2:10–13

Then she fell on her face… ‘Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?’ But Boaz answered… ‘The Lord repay you… a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!’

Ruth 2:14–16

At mealtime Boaz said… ‘Come here and eat some bread…’ She ate until she was satisfied… Boaz instructed his young men… ‘Let her glean even among the sheaves… Pull out some from the bundles…’

Ruth 2:17–18

She gleaned until evening… it was about an ephah of barley… She brought out and gave her what food she had left over after being satisfied.

• Boaz goes beyond the law, blessing Ruth generously.

• Ruth, in turn, goes beyond — working hard and sharing generously with Naomi.

Takeaway: True faithfulness is marked by generosity, service, and exceeding what’s expected.

God’s Sovereign Hand Revealed

Ruth 2:19–23

Where did you glean today? … The man’s name… is Boaz. Naomi said… ‘He is a close relative… one of our redeemers.’ Ruth said… ‘He said to me, You shall keep close… until they have finished all my harvest.’ Naomi said… ‘It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted.’

Naomi begins to see that God’s hand has been guiding their steps all along.

Conclusion

• Stay faithful — in your relationships, your work, your finances, your spiritual life. Trust God and act in faith, knowing He promises to meet you there and bless you.
• Remember: Our faithfulness is only possible because of Christ and the Holy Spirit living within us.

Speaker: Dan Krause

May 25, 2025

Ruth 2:1-23

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