The end of the barley and
wheat harvest had come, and Ruth was committed to stay in the fields
of Boaz. She obeyed the wishes of Boaz, and when Naomi concurred she
fulfilled her desires as well. Ruth was faithful to glean until the
harvest season was over, and now her life and living was still
uncertain. Naomi decided to develop a plan for Ruth and thereby save
herself as well. We see the beginnings of this plan and the reasons
for implementing it as we begin chapter three in verse one where we
read:
Then Naomi her mother
in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you,
that it may be well with you?
Naomi
was concerned for Ruth's future. She had watched as Ruth lost her
husband who was Naomi's son, and she experienced the faithfulness of
not only Ruth's return to Bethlehem with her, but also her
determination to continue gleaning in the fields of Boaz. Now it was
her turn to work toward Ruth's future. She asked, “My daughter,
shall I not seek rest for you,” ? Marriage for Ruth was to be a
place of rest. To enjoy the company of her husband, raise a family,
and have a companion for life should provide security for Ruth that
causes ease of mind. Although Naomi and Ruth were both widows, Naomi
being the aged one did not desire a husband for herself, but desired
that Ruth as the younger one have the blessing of being married
again. This, in Naomi's eyes, would bring Ruth rest.
Next
Naomi gave Ruth the purpose of her question, “that it may be
well with you?” The rest that marriage would provide for Ruth
would also include a state of being “well”. The idea is
that it may be good, pleasing, and joyful for Ruth. There is a state
of living that is not so joyful, and Naomi has known that way. She
desires that it be different for Ruth. She wants it “well”,
and she knows the state of “being well” would be a blessing to
both Ruth and Naomi should Naomi gain it for her.
We too
can benefit from Naomi's desire for Ruth. Do we not desire “rest”
in our lives? Do we wish for it to be “well” too? Jesus knew the
labors and toils we would face in this life. Even as He shared in the
gospel of Matthew in chapter eleven and verses twenty-eight through
thirty:
Come unto me, all [you]
that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my
yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and
you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my
burden is light.
As we
think about Naomi's desire for rest and well being for Ruth, we may
also understand that our kinsman redeemer has a ready supply of rest
and well being for us if simply “come” unto Him. Perhaps we are
in great need of rest today. Jesus will be our rest. Perhaps we are
desiring “well being”. Jesus will provide “wellness”. All
that is required is to take His yoke upon us, learn of Him, and we
will enjoy rest and well being in our relationship with God.
Next
time we discover more of Naomi's plan for Ruth, 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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