As I read in Ruth this morning, it’s a thrice repeated thought that captures my thoughts. A thought about encountering grace. A thought about finding favor. And where is favor found? It’s in the beholding. It’s in the eyes.

And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” . . .

Then [Ruth] fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to [Boaz], “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” . . .

Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.”

(Ruth 2:2, 10, 13 ESV)

Ruth was looking for a little favor. She was in need of some grace.

She wasn’t from around these parts. She was a foreigner. She had no heritage in Israel. No birthright to the land. Other than being her mother-in-law’s companion, she had no real attachment to these people. And the only way she was going to feed herself was by finding some favor. So, she’d need to encounter grace if she were to walk into some random field to pick up the leftovers. She’d need to encounter some unmerited favor if she were to be received rather than run off.

So, without being known, without any credentials to vouch for her, without any previous performance to credibly present on her resume, any reception she found to anyone’s field would be dependent on how she was viewed. She’d need to find favor in someone’s eyes.

I chew on that for a bit and I find myself identifying with this Moabite widow.

I too was “alienated from the commonwealth of Israel”, a stranger “to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12). A nobody. An unknown. And, in great need. Desperate for the bread of life. Thirsting for living waters. But with nothing to offer in return. Bankrupt and unable to purchase such provision. My only hope, grace. My only optimism, to find favor. And that, in Someone’s eyes.

Why have I found favor in Your eyes, that You should take notice of me?

Why indeed, Lord?

Isn’t that the question behind finding favor? The question which, by the very nature of favor, has no answer? Finding favor means there’s no reason, no obligation, nothing which demands being seen, much less being shown kindness. In fact, when it comes to the greater Boaz, Jesus, being seen by Him happened before we ever looked to Him. Favor found before we knew our need. Grace determined, before we took even a step in His direction. Nathanael’ story comes to mind . . .

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered Him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

(John 1:47-49 ESV)

How do You know me?

I saw you . . .

Seen by the Son before we ever looked for Him.

That’s where favor is found. In His eyes.

Oh what grace!

To God be the glory!