John O’Malley
“Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens” (Ruth 2:8).
The words “But abide here fast by my maidens” must have made Ruth’s heart leap. Ruth, the immigrant and convert from Moab, had found a home. Ruth, whose conversion to Jehovah had caused no small stir in Bethlehem-judah, had found a home in the fields of Boaz. Boaz told Ruth to go nowhere else.
Boaz’s words were clear; they spoke directly to her heart. Boaz’s harvest field would provide Ruth food for her body, fellowship for her soul, and friends for her heart. Ruth would not need to fret any more about her future prosperity. Ruth would not need to ponder over tomorrow’s provision. She would no longer need to wonder whether she would ever find a kindred spirit to share her heart’s dreams and delights.
Boaz had told Ruth, “Abide here fast.” She was not to wander away from his field. Ruth would not have to wonder whether provision were better anywhere else. Ruth would not have to wither away, starved for friendship. Everything she needed was there with Boaz and his gleaners.
Beware: the world will offer cheap imitations of everything Boaz provides.Would to God we would repeat this message to ourselves and to this generation!
1. “Abide here fast”—everything we need as reapers and gleaners can be found in our Eternal Boaz’s field.
2. “Abide here fast”—seek your friends and fellowship in our Eternal Boaz’s field.
3. “Abide here fast”—find comfort and satisfaction in our Eternal Boaz’s field.
Ruth found that Boaz’s promises were sure and reliable. Ruth would prove Boaz’s word steadfast. Ruth would test his word in the field. Soon, Ruth would test Boaz’s word in the threshing floor. Later, Ruth would test his word while she waited at home for him to come from the city’s gate as Boaz obtained her redemption. Ruth would know from this moment forward that Boaz would keep his word.
What about you, dear reader? Upon our salvation, our Eternal Boaz told us, “Abide here fast.” Have you? Or have you been of the sort to abide only when it is convenient and comfortable? In your church attendance, in your ministry service, in your marriage, in everything you do, heed our Eternal Boaz’s call, to “abide here fast.”