Why This Favor

Ruth 2:10

New International Version

At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”

For Encouragement

Have you sincerely stood before the mirror and asked yourself why God elected you as one of His beloved children for eternity (Ephesians 1:4-10)? You, of all people!

Maybe you are one of those who think you were not as bad as the worst person on your block growing up, so God did not find it difficult to notice you. Good riddance, my friend, but stop and carefully read Ephesians 2:1-10; then come back with your report. But before my Savior, Jesus Christ, I am like Ruth before Boaz—bowed down with my face to the ground, and only one question to ask:

Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner (Ruth 2:10)?

Mephibosheth asked a similar question before King David when the king poured his favor on the son of his late friend, Jonathan, who was lame in both feet.

Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”

In today’s text, Ruth did not know how God worked with His people to restore and bless them. She did not know that God had led and guided her into the field of the guardian-redeemer of their family (v.3; 3:12). Her mindset was that of a foreigner and a Moabite whose people God had excluded from the assembly of His people, Israel (Deut. 23:3-4). She did not belong where she stood and expected no pleasantry from anybody. Only some left-over grain from anybody’s field would satisfy her indulgence and that of her aged mother-in-law.

However, as providence had it, grace stared her in the face with the kindness of God and worked through Boaz to bless her. Favor had located her in the grainfield of Boaz, and she wanted to know why (2:10). That is your story and mine in the Redemption Story of God—saved by grace alone.

Have you asked the Lord that question before? Why He chose you, who were once a Gentile by birth and called uncircumcised. You were separated from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel, and a foreigner to the covenants of the promise. You had no hope and without God in the world, but now you have received His redeeming grace (Eph. 2:11-13). Do you care to know why He offered His best to save you (6-8)?

It is humbling and draws gratitude from the heart. It defines how we handle ourselves in this grace walk with Christ. We take nothing for granted but are thankful and submitted to His service, regardless of circumstances.

May the Lord help us all set down our pride and prostrate every day before He who sits enthroned in heaven and rules over all creation, seen and invisible (1:20-21).Then, in awe, ask why you have found such favor before Christ, your Redeemer and King.

Amen!