Ruth was favored by Boaz for her compassion and adapting to his people.

Ruth 2:10-12

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“So she fell on her face, bowed down 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?” And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before.” Ruth 2:10-11

Being a Moabite, Ruth asked Boaz why he noticed her and showed his favor towards her. The Moabites served the false god, Chemosh, but now she had found grace in the eyes of a Jewish man who served the God of Jesus Christ. Why? The answer to this question is found in our Lord Jesus, whom Boaz symbolizes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God…” Ephesians 2:8 It’s not who we are that God sees but He sees a heart that loves Him and others through Jesus Christ.

The answer Boaz gave to Ruth is that his favor towards her is because she showed kindness to Naomi, her mother-in-law. Ruth showed this compassion after her own husband died, Naomi’s son. Ruth also left her father, mother, and her native land of Moab to come to Bethlehem to serve the same God Naomi served, the God of Jesus Christ. Ruth came to live with the people of God. This was somewhat of a “born-again” experience for Ruth as she left the god of her native land to serve the God whose Son is Jesus Christ.

Ruth loved the living God the same as she loved Naomi, and she loved the people around her as she loved herself. This is how each one of us receives favor from God, by loving Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind, and loving others as ourselves. As our Lord Jesus says, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

Boaz blessed Ruth in saying, “The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” Ruth 2:12

Ruth left her father, mother, and native land to follow Naomi into the land of the living God and the promise of receiving a full reward from the hand of God was with her. When we are able to lay down the benefits of this world to serve God through Jesus Christ, Jesus says to us, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Matthew 19:29-30

“I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God, I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood, joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, for I’m part of the family the family of God. [Church Song]

Boaz was impressed by Ruth’s compassion to Naomi and wanted her to be rewarded for her kindness to a child of God. Likewise, the Holy Spirit says this to us, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10 Jesus Christ said Himself, “‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:40

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1