We watched as Boaz' servant
told him some of what he knew about Ruth, and we noted that people
sometimes know much about us even when we don't realize it. Ruth was
busy gleaning in Boaz' field while this conversation is taking place,
and she at this point has no idea that Boaz is interested in her. We
continue our story in verse seven of chapter two where we find the
head servant of the field revealing more details about an earlier
application by Ruth. It says:
And she said, I pray
you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so
she came, and has continued even from the morning until now, that she
tarried a little in the house.
We
discovered this sort of “well fare” system in earlier verses
where we understood that those who owned fields in Ruth's day were
not to glean but once upon their fields. They were not to reap the
corners of those fields as well, but rather were to leave these
extras to the poor. Those who would work could glean in these fields
after the first harvesters and gather as much as they like. This was
Ruth's position and inquiry with the head servant of Boaz, “she
said, I pray you (or I ask you), let me glean and gather after the
reapers among the sheaves:” Let's recognize first the Ruth
desired to work. She didn't ask for a handout so to speak, but she
desired to have an opportunity to work for her bread. If given place,
she would glean, she would gather, and she would use this grace
wisely. If the situation were in today's world many might desire that
the head servant give them the barley without having to work for it.
Next we
read more of what the head servant told Boaz, “so she came, and
has continued even from the morning until now.” Notice that
Ruth not only began to work, but she worked all day. This shows Ruth
as a hard worker who has a deep commitment to continue about her
business. Sometimes people tend to desire a path of least resistance
that allows for as little work as possible, but we read of Ruth's
tenacity and drive when we read this phrase. She is not lazy, and she
is able to endure the hardships that are associated with hard work
even though there may have been opportunity to quit at any time.
Finally
the head servant says this about Ruth, “that she tarried a
little in the house.” The idea here is that she rested some in
the house that must have been nearby. Although she tenaciously
worked, she understood the principle of taking a break every now and
then. Refreshment often gives us the ability to endure, and when we
feel like dropping out, maybe all we need is a break.
What is
so interesting about the words from this head servant to Boaz is that
he has discovered character traits within Ruth in the short time he
has known her. First, she asked permission to gather and glean rather
than just assuming she may do so. Second, she worked and continued
all day working which shows determination, drive, and discipline, and
finally, she knew when to take a break which shows a reasonable woman
who knows her limitations. Boaz must have been not only impressed by
her looks, (remember she looks like a woman who has gleaned all day
at this time), but also by her character. We should consider Ruth's
character as a standard by which to compare. If someone were to look
upon our lives would they see the same traits in us? We must keep in
mind that God is at work here behind the scenes, and the traits of
Ruth are ones to which He knows Boaz will be attracted. There is a
good possibility that many have already drawn their conclusions about
us, and as with Ruth, we do not know it either.
Next
time we watch as Boaz speaks to Ruth for the first time, so read
ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites,
www.amazon.com
; www.barnesandnobles.com
; download
to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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