After all the mess at the end of the book of Judges, I always find myself breathing a sigh of relief and even joy at coming to the little story of Ruth. It is a little story only from the perspective of length. There is nothing little about its message about loyalty, commitment, and grace. We know the story well and how Boaz comes to marry Ruth and redeem the name of Ruth’s deceased husband. Solomon’s wisdom leaps quickly to mind: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Responding to Boaz’s graciousness to her, Ruth “fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, ‘ Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?’” (2:10) That is, one who deserved nothing received more than she could ever have imagined. We who deserved nothing but judgment have received grace upon grace: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. . . . For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:14-16). Oh, my!
Plenteous grace with thee is found,
grace to cover all my sin;
let the healing streams abound;
make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art;
freely let me take of thee;
spring thou up within my heart,
rise to all eternity. –Charles Wesley (1740)