by John O’Malley
“From the morning until now” (Ruth 2:7).
As the sun rose to meet the hills of Judah, Ruth was seen walking toward the terraced hillside belonging to Boaz. Ruth’s heart was clear when she left the house that morning. Ruth left seeking provision from a benefactor. Ruth found all that she needed in Boaz’s field. Boaz looked Ruth’s way. Ruth, a simple Moabite girl, had gleaned more than his harvest. Ruth had gleaned Boaz’s heart. Ruth had not even spoken a word to Boaz, yet God brought their hearts together.
Boaz both saw and heard the servant’s testimony of the dedication of Ruth’s heart. Clearly Ruth’s devotion, desire, and determination in the harvest were not forced. She did not have to fake her level of commitment to the harvest. Her participation in the harvest came from within her heart. Ruth’s heart contained the overwhelming appreciation for the opportunity to glean for Naomi’s sustenance.
Ruth’s commitment to Naomi raised the level of intensity she felt inwardly. Ruth had to find a place to glean. When she arrived and met the approval of the servant set over the reapers, she set out in her heart to stay and work in earnest. This decision revealed Ruth’s dedication to the harvest of Boaz.
Ruth’s dedication to the harvest made an impression on the servant. “From morning till now,” said the servant to Boaz. These words declared Ruth’s dedication to the harvest. The servant had seen many gleaners come to the field, but something about Ruth was different. Ruth’s heart maintained a level of dedication to the harvest that was noteworthy.
Other gleaners may have come and discussed with Ruth about the quality and quantity in the corners of other fields. These statements could easily have been unintentional attempts to sway Ruth’s dedication. Yet Ruth’s dedication of heart was not affected by the comments of her co-workers or conditions in other fields.
The servant’s testimony to Boaz of Ruth’s participation in the harvest should reveal to believers a spiritual checklist of the heart. Our Eternal Boaz knows the content of our hearts. He sees when our dedication wavers and wanders. Would our Eternal Boaz say of us, “From the morning of our relationship until now, you have been in the harvest”? May Ruth’s dedication be our dedication until our Eternal Boaz calls us home!