Ruth 2:15-3:215And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: 16And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not. 17So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley. 18And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed. 19And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she showed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz. 20And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen. 21And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest. 22And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field. 23So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law. 1Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? 2And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor. (Ruth 2:15‑3:2).
Speical blessing followed Ruth as she gleaned in Boaz’ fields, after she had been at his table, for Boaz told his reapers to let some handfuls of grain fall just for her. How happy she was at the end of the day to find that she had gleaned an ephah of barley — more than enough for herself — and she had some left to share with Naomi, her mother-in-law. Surely those of us who have known what it is to gather around the Lord at His table, have found that a special blessing has followed us too, and we have had something to share with others of His love and grace.
We notice here, too, that Ruth beat out what she had gleaned, and did not bring home the chaff. Sometimes we make the mistake of bringing home “the chaff.” In our time at the meengs, or serving the Lord, there is often something said or done which is like the chaff — it is unprofitable, it is of the flesh. Let us not get occupied with it, but rather leave it right there, as Ruth left the chaff, and only carry away that which is good, to share with those at home. What an empty occupation to be feeding upon the “chaff,” and yet how many of God’s children are doing it to their own poverty of soul!
Naomi was surprised at the amount of barley Ruth brought home, and I am sure the happy look on her face, told of the blessing she had received that day. Undoubtedly if we see “Jesus only” in our meetings, we too will have happy faces, but alas, our occupation with the troubles and difficulties among the people of God reflects in our face as well. Let us be careful what we think about (Phil. 4:88Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)).
Naomi then encouraged Ruth, telling her that Boaz was one of their own relations. She also mentioned the kindness of God in not forgetting her departed husband and sons. Perhaps Elimelech (Naomi’s husband) had prayed for the restoration of his family to the land of Israel before he died, and now God had answered his prayers. We do not always live to see the answer to our prayers, but truly we can say like Naomi, “Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead.”
Ruth told Naomi what Boaz had told her — she was not a “forgetful hearer” —and Naomi told her to do exactly as he said. Once she had given her bad advice, telling her to go back to the land of Moab, but when she had been restored herself, how, different it all was. She now helps Ruth in the path of faith, and so Ruth continued steadfastly following Boaz, and gleaning in his fields, until the end of the harvest. May we be more diligent in steadfastly following Christ.
When at last the harvest was finished, Naomi said to Ruth, “Shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?” She had told her before, that she could find rest in Moab, but now she seeks it for her in God’s land. Are we, who are older, seeking the true path of rest and happiness for our dear young people? May the Lord show us how to help them, as Naomi did here. How it reminds us of the Lord’s word to Peter when he was restored, “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Luke 22:3232But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:32).
Naomi then told Ruth that Boaz would be winnowing barley that night, and so we can say that the Lord is “winnowing” our ways. He is separating the “chaff” in our lives from the precious “grain.” Because of this Naomi told Ruth to do several things which we shall notice next week (D.V.).
ML 03/14/1954