Who's Watching You

Ruth 2:8-12 - 8 Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. 9 See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.” 10 Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.” 11 “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. 12 May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”

The title of today’s message is “Whose Watching You?”

The book of Ruth is one of only two books in the Bible names for women. The other being Esther. The story of Ruth begins with her mother and father-in-law Naomi and Elimelech, a famine and a move. Elimelech moved his family, his wife and two sons, to Moab because there was a famine in his homeland of Bethlehem and they needed food.

While in Moab and after the death of their father, Naomi’s sons marry Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth. As fate would have it both sons also died leaving Naomi with no one to take care of her; she was a widow indeed.

In this time and region it was not good, nor was it easy for a woman with no male to take care of her. Women, except in rare cases were not allowed to own land, the work they could do was limited and not only did Naomi have no husband or sons to provide for her, she was well up in years. Moab, aside from being a heathen nation, was also the place where her husband and sons had died so not only was it a place God had not set for his people to live because it was a pagan nation, it also represented a place of loss for her.

She learned the famine in her home had ended, and having no more ties to Moab and no reason to stay, Naomi set out to return to her home. She was returning to the land of her God. But it would seem she was not as alone as she believed. Her daughter-in-laws were watching her.

As she prepared to leave, her daughter-in-laws did not try to stop her. They understood, this was not her home and that it was not a place with good memories for her. As she began her journey, they accompanied her part of the way. It’s evident that the relationship between them was a good one. They loved her and she loved them.

She knew, that as a widow, her life would be difficult and she didn’t want that for them. They were young, they could remarry and have children, and, they were not Israelites, so she encouraged them to return to their people and prayed blessings upon them.

They protested leaving her, but when she pressed, Orpah kissed her and went home, Ruth took somewhat of a different stance. Ruth made a proclamation, “Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.”

That was quite a declaration. Ruth was willing to leave all she knew, including her family and her gods to be with Naomi. She loved her that much. Who do you love enough to leave all, to give up everything you know?

Not only that, Ruth continued, saying, “May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” Now that’s real love.

Ruth had never been to Naomi’s home, she didn’t know exactly where she was going, she didn’t know where she was going to live when she got there or even how she was going to live. So what was it about Naomi that caused Ruth to love her like this? It was just that, love. Naomi treated Ruth with kindness, a kindness she had not experienced before and showed her a love she had not known and she was not willing to let it, or her go.

When they returned to Bethlehem, the women hardly recognized Naomi but were excited to see her, she had come back home. But she was not the same Naomi they remembered. Grief will change your appearance. She had lost her entire family, she lamented she went away full and came back empty. She was back, she was now barren, and she was bitter. Now she’s trying to figure out how she and Ruth are going to make it. I’m sure she introduced Ruth and as rumors do, the word spread that this Moabite woman had returned with Naomi.

As they settle in, it’s time to get to work. It’s time to figure out how they’re going to eat, and Ruth suggested going to the fields and picking up the left over stalks of grain, to which, Naomi gave her consent. Ruth wholly put herself under Naomi’s guardianship, showing her respect by asking permission, she was treating her as a mother rather a mother-in-law.

It was the law of Moses that those who worked the fields were to leave the corners and a few stalks for the poor to collect so they could eat. It was a menial, degrading and tough task she was taking on, one she wasn’t used to, but they had to eat and Naomi was too old to do this work.

Elimelech had relatives in the city, but Naomi had not ask them for help. She knew the law, she hoped someone would pick up the mantel, and she believed she and Ruth would be OK, after all that’s why she returned home.

Ruth wasn’t sure where to go or what to do but she ended up in Boaz’s field. How many know it wasn’t by happen stance. God perfectly executes his plan for His people. When you’re obedient, when you show love, when you trust Him, He will lead you to the right field where you can prosper. Ruth didn’t go demanding, she didn’t go with an attitude of privilege, she went humble and hoping for kindness. She was willing to work for their food, rather than just beg in the street.

Boaz employed many people and he was a good employer, when he arrived at this particular field, he greeted the harvesters with a blessing, “The Lord be with you!” and their response was, “The Lord bless you!” When you treat people well and show true concern for them, they will feel appreciated and will work better for you.

As he was speaking with his foreman he saw Ruth and immediately recognized she didn’t belong, so he asked him who she was. Of course he knew and reported that she was the Moabite who had come back with Naomi. He went on to inform him she had asked if she could glean in the field. You couldn’t just show up in someone’s field and start collecting their grain, you had to ask permission.

The foreman continued telling Boaz that except for a few minutes rest, she had been hard at work ever since she asked permission to glean in this field. This field belonging to Boaz. The same Boaz who was Ruth’s kinsman redeemer, the same Boaz who was a rich relative.

Again, Ruth didn’t have to be here, she could’ve said, “You know what, I’m out. My mama and daddy have food for me and I don’t have to be out working in nobody’s field.” But that was not the character of Ruth, it didn’t matter where she came from, it didn’t matter what she had to do, she trusted the God of Israel, she trusted Naomi’s God, Naomi’s God was now her God, and she was not too proud to humble herself and do what she had to do, to get what she needed to get, which was food for she and her mother-in-law, Naomi.

Now that Boaz knew who she was he wanted to protect her. It wasn’t safe for a woman alone to be working in the fields, and Boaz knew it. When you think you’re by yourself and you’re in the will of God, you’re never alone, he will provide what you need when you need it. He’s a protector.

Boaz told her, don’t go to any other field, he set her up for success, positioning her behind the young women. Maximum yield with less effort. Not that it was easy, but it wasn’t as hard as it could’ve been. Sometimes we get so consumed in our situation, we don’t realize it could always be worse, it could always be harder. But for the grace of God.

Not only did he tell her where to work, he told the young men to leave her alone, another layer of protection. She was a stranger and strangers weren’t always welcomed with open arms. Anyone ever been in a strange land and didn’t receive such a good reception?

Not only did he provide provision, not only did he provide protection, he provided refreshment. She didn’t have to find and draw water herself, he gave her access to what was already drawn.

Her response was immediate, it was appropriate and it was sincere. She fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. She recognized his kindness and didn’t take it for granted, in fact she asked him, “What have I done to deserve such kindness? I am only a foreigner.”

You never know who you’re going to meet. So it behooves you to treat everyone well, to treat everyone with respect, not just because of what they might be able to do for you, but because they are a child of the Most High God, made in the image and likeness of God and loved by God, just like you.

Before he spoke to her, she didn’t know who Boaz was all she knew was he was kind to her.

She didn’t know he knew her story

She didn’t know he knew what she had done and was doing for her mother-in-law - even though she had no obligation to do so, since her husband had died.

She didn’t know he knew she had left her mother, her father and her homeland to live among complete strangers.

You just don’t know what others may know about you, and whose watching you, be careful, be prayerful and be respectful, you just may be entertaining angels unaware.

And then the same way Boaz came into the story, speaking a blessing over his servants, he now speaks a blessing over Ruth saying, “May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”

Sometimes we spend far too much asking for things for ourselves. We come to church with a serve us mentality rather a service mentality. Who have you blessed this week, how about this month, this year?

Through her obedience and her demonstration of love, Ruth found herself in the right field, at the right time, doing the right thing. What an example Ruth and Boaz have set for us today.

Not only did Boaz make water available to her, he also gave her food. She had as much as she wanted and some left over.

They were both about giving, he from the plenty he had and she from the lack she had, yet they gave from the heart with no ulterior motive. They gave with no strings attached.

It’s time we started to evaluate our motives.

Are we seeking to serve or be served?

Are we looking for a hand out or trying to give someone else a hand up?

Are we looking to receive a blessing or to be a blessing?

Only you can answer that question. What is God calling on you to do, to give, to teach, who is He calling on you to reach? Who reached you? We all have an assignment are you fulfilling yours?

Jesus had an assignment, he came with one thing in mind, to reconcile us back to God the Father after we were separated because of sin. He came to serve, not be served. He came to save those who were lost, which was all of us at some point in our lives. We all needed saving, so many more still do.

When we were yet sinners - he became our Redeemer

When we believed - He became our Savior

When we’re hungry - He’s the Bread of Life

When we’re thirsty - He’s Living Water

When we need protection - He’s the Lion of Judah

When we need a provider - He’s Jehovah Jireh,

When we need instruction - He’s our Teacher

When we’re in darkness - He’s our Bright and Morning Star

When we feel alone - He’s Immanuel God with us

When we need peace - He’s Jehovah Shalom

And He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith

Who is He to You? What is it you need? Call on Him because he said, before Abraham was, I Am. Who’s watching you? Before you speak, before you go through that door, before you do that thing, remember, whether you know it or not there is always someone watching.

Jesus is also our help in time of need, so if you don’t have Jesus as Lord of your life and you desire that today, you need only ask.

Pray with me Lord God, I confess I am a sinner in need of saving grace, I believe Jesus is your Son, that he died for my sins, that he rose again and now sits at your right hand interceding on my behalf. Jesus, I’m asking to come into my heart, I give you control of my life. I pray this in your name, Amen

If you prayed that prayer for the first time, welcome to the family of Christ, now find a Bible believing, Bible teaching church to connect with so you can learn what it is to not only be a disciple of Christ, but to be a disciple maker. If you’d like Love Christian Center to be that place contact by reply on whatever platform you’re watching this message or send us an email to [e-mail] and we will reach out to you.

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Naomi and Ruth had a whole town watching and their love for each other and for God shined bright for all to see, so much so, this Moabite woman was in the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Live your life like someone is watching, because someone is.