FINDING GRACE IN A BETHLEHEM FIELD
by Jerry Vines
FINDING GRACE IN A BETHLEHEM FIELD
Ruth 2:1-23
Dr. Vines 12/1/85
Ruth is the Christmas story told centuries ahead of time. Therein is
told a moving love story which culminates in the birth of a baby in Bethlehem.
Chapter two introduces us to a new character. He is known as Boaz. His name
means a mighty man. Boaz was Bethlehem's most eligible bachelor. At this
point he steps to center stage. He makes no appearance in chapter one. Ruth did
not know that Boaz existed. She had never heard of a man named Boaz. All Ruth
knows is that she wants to be in God's family. To Naomi she verbalizes her
desire: "Thy people shall be my people, thy God shall be my God." For Ruth to
get into the family of God someone is going to have to show grace to her. God's
law excluded her from the family of Israel. No Moabite could participate in
the things of God down to the tenth generation (Deut. 25:3). The Law excluded
her. The one who can show grace to her is this man named Boaz. Ruth is in
need of grace.
Do you know how to spell grace? Of course. G. R. A. C. E. Yes, but
there is an other way. J.E.S.U.S.! Jesus is grace personified. The birth of
Jesus tells the story of grace. Grace is prominent in the Christmas story. In
John 1:17 the Bible says:
"For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth
came by Jesus Christ."
II Corinthians 8:9 is also a great Christmas verse:
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he
became poor, that ye through his poverty might
be made rich."
Christmas is the story of God displaying His grace to men. Poor lost sinners
have been made rich because Jesus, the rich royal Son of God emptied Himself
2
and was made poor in order to be our Savior. Read Carefully Ruth two and the
message of grace clearly emerges. God in grace reaches down to a poor outcast
girl and brings her into His family. Several times the language of grace is
used. Look at verse 2:
...in whose sight I shall ...
Ruth 2:1-23
Dr. Vines 12/1/85
Ruth is the Christmas story told centuries ahead of time. Therein is
told a moving love story which culminates in the birth of a baby in Bethlehem.
Chapter two introduces us to a new character. He is known as Boaz. His name
means a mighty man. Boaz was Bethlehem's most eligible bachelor. At this
point he steps to center stage. He makes no appearance in chapter one. Ruth did
not know that Boaz existed. She had never heard of a man named Boaz. All Ruth
knows is that she wants to be in God's family. To Naomi she verbalizes her
desire: "Thy people shall be my people, thy God shall be my God." For Ruth to
get into the family of God someone is going to have to show grace to her. God's
law excluded her from the family of Israel. No Moabite could participate in
the things of God down to the tenth generation (Deut. 25:3). The Law excluded
her. The one who can show grace to her is this man named Boaz. Ruth is in
need of grace.
Do you know how to spell grace? Of course. G. R. A. C. E. Yes, but
there is an other way. J.E.S.U.S.! Jesus is grace personified. The birth of
Jesus tells the story of grace. Grace is prominent in the Christmas story. In
John 1:17 the Bible says:
"For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth
came by Jesus Christ."
II Corinthians 8:9 is also a great Christmas verse:
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he
became poor, that ye through his poverty might
be made rich."
Christmas is the story of God displaying His grace to men. Poor lost sinners
have been made rich because Jesus, the rich royal Son of God emptied Himself
2
and was made poor in order to be our Savior. Read Carefully Ruth two and the
message of grace clearly emerges. God in grace reaches down to a poor outcast
girl and brings her into His family. Several times the language of grace is
used. Look at verse 2:
...in whose sight I shall ...
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