When we are faithful to a
task that seems somewhat mundane, ordinary and monotonous, do we
wonder if anyone ever really sees and appreciates what we are doing?
It may have appeared that way for Ruth as she in her normal course of
life simply stayed loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi, and then went to
glean in a field. More than likely Ruth knew that provision was
necessary and someone had to work for she and Naomi's daily bread, so
she felt it natural just to go harvesting. However, behind the scenes
the Almighty God was watching her, and He had a plan about which we
have been enjoying the story for the last few days. Boaz just
“happened” to own the field Ruth chose, and Boaz just “happened”
to notice her. Boaz just “happened” to question his head servant
about her, and what seemed to be “happenstance” led Boaz to give
his attention to Ruth in person. Ruth is humbled and reverent to
Boaz' offer to stay in his field and be provided for by him, and Boaz
continues his words toward her question of why he favored her in
chapter two and verse twelve where we read:
The LORD recompense
your work, and a full reward be given you of the LORD God of Israel,
under whose wings you are come to trust.
Notice
first that Boaz points to the LORD as Ruth's provider; “The LORD
recompense your work”. The idea behind “recompense”
is “to be in a covenant of peace, make peace with, be complete,
sound, made whole, finish, make good, requite, repay or pay”. In
other words, Boaz desired in prayer-like fashion that Ruth be repaid
for her work by the LORD. No one pays and repays like God, and
although Boaz might have seen himself in the position of rewarding
Ruth for her work and actions, he rather attributed the “recompense”
to the LORD. Though Boaz' may have been the agent through whom the
payment would be made, Boaz knew that the LORD is true source of
every recompense.
Next we
see a further desire of Boaz for Ruth, “and a full reward be
given you of the LORD God of Israel.” Once again, and now to an
even fuller extent, Boaz desires that a “full reward” be
given to Ruth. The idea is that God would repay Ruth's wages in a
complete and large manner. No one can repay as God repays, and though
there may be people He uses to complete his retribution, it is God
Himself through whom all reward is given.
Finally
Boaz notes the covering for Ruth: “under whose wings you are
come to trust.” Once again let's notice how Boaz defers what
might have been his own place of position to the LORD. Boaz knows
that the true covering of those who trust in the LORD is from the
LORD Himself. As Jesus said to Jerusalem in the gospel of Luke in
chapter thirteen and verse thirty five:
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
which kill the prophets, and stone them that are sent unto you; how
often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen [doth
gather] her brood under [her] wings, and you would not!
Although
Jerusalem might not have desired to be under the covering of the
Almighty, Ruth did, and Boaz takes knowledge of it.
This
mighty blessing of Boaz to Ruth should stimulate us to several
encouragements. First, the Lord is watching our faithfulness and our
work. Though it may appear at times that no one sees, the Almighty
has His eye on our continuance in what He has us doing. Second, there
will be full reward to our actions some day. It may not be today,
tomorrow or even next week, but the Lord has huge rewards waiting for
His faithful few. Finally, there is no better place in life than
under His covering. We can trust that God's Almighty hand is resting
over us as we walk this life, and rather than resisting Jesus as
those within Jerusalem, may we all gather under His wings and be as
the brood He desires to protect.
Next
time we will look at Ruth's response to these wonderful words from
Boaz, 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
your commentary on the book of Ruth is most interesting. Thank you for sharing this.
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