Not in Any Other Field Ruth 2:22 - Equipped for Battle

The dialog between Naomi and Ruth has concentrated upon the bounty of supply gleaned by Ruth on her first day in Boaz' field. After inquiring of Ruth where and with whom she had gleaned, Naomi revealed that Boaz was a kinsman redeemer. This meant there were great possibilities for change in both Ruth and Naomi's future, and when Ruth told Naomi that Boaz desired that she stay fast by his young men until the end of the harvest, Naomi responded in chapter two and verse twenty two:

And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, [It is] good, my daughter, that you go out with his maidens, that they meet you not in any other field.

Naomi encouraged Ruth to obey the desire of Boaz. She first said, “It is good, my daughter.” It is always commendable to understand what is “good” in our lives. We are told that Jesus Himself did good in the book of Acts in chapter ten and verse thirty eight where we read:

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

There is great advantage afforded to Ruth if she would obey this good thing, and Naomi recognizes the benefits for acting upon this good.

Naomi then adds, “that you go out with his maidens, that they meet you not in any other field.” This is the second time we have read of instructions to Ruth about staying in Boaz's field. The first one was in chapter two and verse eight where Boaz spoke to Ruth:

Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from here, but abide here fast by my maidens:

Boaz who was the kinsman redeemer field owner knew the advantage of protection and provision which he desired to bestow upon Ruth, and now Naomi understands this advantage as well. There is great benefit for staying in Boaz' field, and Ruth must stay in his field only. Sure there are other fields available, and barley is abundant in them as well. However, there is one major difference, Boaz is not in those fields. Having a relationship with the field owner is where the greatest favor lie. Boaz knew this to be true, and Naomi concurred. Although other maidens may glean in other fields, Ruth was to stay in the field where she would not only glean grain, but possibly the field owner himself.

We too have opportunity to go to other fields which are not owned by our kinsman redeemer Jesus. There are plenty of offerings such as social clubs, religious activities, civic gatherings and the like, and there is “grain” offered in them all. But as with Ruth, Boaz is not in those fields. As we examine the field in which we stay, we should ask one major question, “Is Jesus in this field?” If He is, then we should stay within it, and if He is not, we must leave that field immediately and stay only in the field in which Jesus is the owner. If we choose to stay in His field, advantage of protection and provision will be ours to enjoy. However if do not choose to stay in Jesus' field, we will never know the relationship which we could have enjoyed with the field owner.

Next time we will see Ruth's obedience to Naomi's instruction, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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