May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge. - verse 12
Message: Ruth Gleans in Boaz's Field
Time: According to Jewish tradition, Samuel wrote the book of Ruth. The events of Ruth occurred sometime between 1160 BC and 1100 BC. This book stands as a ray of light, showing the power of the love between God and His faithful people, even during difficult times that were present. It is written from Naomi's point of view. Ruth is the gift God placed in Naomi's life.
What the Lord is Saying: Been reading a book about the Old Testament and how much of the themes of the New Testament like redemption and atonement have their origin in the Old Testament. It references Ruth and Naomi returning to Bethlehem in chapter 5. Author says, "Naomi had gone out full, she said, and the Lord had brought her back empty (1:21)." Yet the author says "she went out and the Lord brought her back." And "the sovereign care, oversight, and detailed direction of our lives in the hands of a loving, provident God." I continue to think about and notice in the Bible that it calls attention so often to the work of God in our lives. That as it presents people and their lives, their coming and goings, it is all interlaced or spoke of as being the will of God. That he is at times disciplining them when they are experiencing affliction and sometimes there really isn't a cause that we are accustomed to thinking there must be. Like Paul in prison. God seems to have simply wanted him there. And my friend Bobby's cancer. Sometimes things happen with a purpose we don't understand and yet we can see how the Lord takes us through these events.
Naomi and Ruth are in Bethlehem. Verse 1 of chapter 2 mentions a kinsman, a relative on her husband's side of the family - Boaz. Boaz is introduced. Ruth requests to go glean in the field (verse 2). As it states in Lev. 19:9–10 - "‘Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the Lord your God." To glean is to gather grain. The edges of your field will not be completely gleaned or extracted from the field, but some shall be left for the needy.
I like this recognition that there are certain parts of our class that are in more need than others and it is our purpose to share with those in need. God made provision for these people. I just wonder at times if we are doing all we can to properly help those in need. Ruth comes across Boaz (verse 3). In verse 4 Boaz pronounces a blessing upon his workers. And the workers return the favor to Boaz as well. Boaz asks about Ruth. Ruth goes to serve with the reapers (v 7).
Boaz remarks favor towards Ruth (v. 8-9). He asks her to remain with the other women, so as to be protected with those of the same sex as her. He orders the men reapers to stay far from her. He serves her and has his best interest in mind towards her. Ruth wonders why someone would be so kind to her, given that she is a Moabite and a stranger. Boaz remarks of how impressed he is of Ruth and all that she has done in supporting her mother-in-law and being with her. He remarks that she seeks refuge in the Lord and is serving him in this regard and seek refuge in him. The people of Boaz and Israel are different and Ruth is more interested in being a part of the people of Israel and so comes to be with Ruth and now Boaz.
Boaz serves her at mealtime. She took the gleanings that Boaz had provided for her (v.16) and gave them to Naomi. All the time, Boaz was serving her, blessing her and protecting her. Boaz went over and above in providing for the needs of Ruth and Naomi.
Summary: Ruth goes to glean in the field with Boaz looking on, admiring her, protecting her and blessing her. She brings back to Naomi extra gleanings provided by Boaz.
Promise: Commandments of gleaning are there to encourage us to be more generous.
Prayer: God, you are good and sovereign over all. Your ways are above our ways. You provide for people, all those in need and encourage me as well to be generous. Thank you for your scripture and your words and this time to study and learn from these books. Thank you for your divine guidance and showing me how you work.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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