Kindness

Recently, I got some stickers that were labeled as “inspirational”. Looking through them, I noticed that they were predominantly quotes regarding kindness. And that stuck with more for the rest of the week. I couldn’t help but to think about the acts of kindness that I have been a part of, but also the acts of kindness shown to me in various and unexpected ways. The kind people that gave of themselves and their resources to help me and my family in ways I will never be able to repay. All of them led me to a greater appreciation of our relationships, and ultimately to God Himself.

God has provided so much kindness and steadfast love to His people. And God included the book of Ruth in His Word to teach us a few things about kindness. While reading and rereading Ruth, I see that God’s people experience His sovereignty, wisdom, and covenant kindness. Often, these come disguised in hardships and difficult circumstances, and are shown through the kindness of others. One of the key themes of Ruth is kindness. Ruth shows Naomi a great kindness by leaving her homeland and all she knows so that she can care for her mother-in-law after Ruth’s husband passes. She literally said,

"Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you. (Ruth 1:16-17)" 

I mean, Wow! Doesn’t this seem to show how God is saying the same thing? He is saying to us, “Don’t tell Me to leave you. I want to be with you always.”

Another kindness shown is the multiple times Boaz shows Ruth kindness. He first notices her “gleaning” in his fields. Whatever drops after the workers go through and collect the barley, she is able to collect to provide meals for her and Naomi. He went to her after he found out that she was the woman that came with Naomi, which was a relative of his. He told her that she could collect from his field, and he told his workers to be kind to her. He went so far as to tell her to drink from the same water as the workers because his workers had told him that she had been working from early morning to then with only a small rest. She asks why he is showing her favor, and he explains that he noticed the kindness and steadfast love that she has shown to Naomi, a kinsmen. So he permitted her and even urged her to only come to his fields where she will be provided for and protected. These show me that Boaz is exhibiting and embodying some of the same attributes and characteristics and as God, especially His kindness.

Then Boaz goes on showing this kindness by allowing her to go over his fields through barley and wheat season. Naomi advised Ruth in many ways, I can imagine, as each day brought more to discuss while the relationship increased. Ruth relied on Naomi’s experiential wisdom as a mother would do with a daughter; Ruth looked at Naomi as her mother. The path that Naomi advised Ruth go on was heeded to by Ruth. She went to Boaz, as directed, and asked for him to redeem her and Naomi. He was elated by her kindness of seeking him and not another man more her age. He was impressed by Ruth in that she was not merely seeking marriage with eligible young men. She sought him specifically.

Boaz, who was an upstanding man in the region, sought to rightly and legally redeem Ruth and Naomi. So he followed all of the correct customs and transactions. The nearer kinsman chose to not redeem them, and in front of many witnesses at the “gate”, which served as the town hall and courthouse, he was now the redeemer. Then, as it says in chapter 4, verse 13, “So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife.” Through the offspring of Boaz and Ruth, David’s house was built, leading ultimately to Christ. This kindness was shown to Boaz from God. This entire book is about kindness and righteous living.

There are so many other things that can be learned from each of the people highlighted here, but the overall message of kindness should be remembered while studying this book. And the lesson I have learned is “kindness is contagious.”

Gotta go fill up my cup…..