by John O’Malley
“And when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn” (Ruth 2:9).
Boaz had thought of every need Ruth could contemplate and met them in advance. Ruth felt special to be cared for in this manner. Though Moabitish by birth, she was finding that Jehovah provides for His children. As a girl growing up, all she had known were the gods of Moab. She knew those gods to be lifeless and uncaring; but in Bethlehem-judah, things were different for Jehovah’s children.
Ruth discovered quickly that Boaz had provided for her protection in his fields from the young men who might make her feel uncomfortable. Boaz had given her his promise that she could come to his fields and glean with his regular gleaners and reapers. As if that were not enough, Boaz instructed her that if she thirsted, he had made provision for her.
Certainly, Ruth would get thirsty in the days ahead as she labored in the fields of Boaz. Typically, gleaners of Ruth’s status would bring their own refreshment and provisions to the field; however, Boaz informed her that she would not need to bring her own vessel, because he would have one for her. Ruth would not have to draw water for herself; Boaz would have the young men to draw out the water for her refreshment as she labored.
The two shared this moment of tenderness together, not as employer and an employee; but rather as two souls brought together, fulfilling a divine purpose and embracing God’s destiny. Her heart was full. The thirst of her body would be satisfied with water from Boaz. Boaz would quench the thirst of her heart, and Jehovah had quenched the thirst of her soul. Ruth knew the truth: God is good to His people!
When did our Eternal Boaz last quench your thirst? Does your heart recall the day when the Eternal Boaz offered the water of life freely to you? Do you well remember when the thirst of your soul was satiated in Him?
Our Eternal Boaz offers water for the soul’s salvation. He offers in His Word, living water for our spirit’s thirst. He offers water to both the weary and the worn. Have you a thirsting for His water this day? “O taste and see that the Lord is good”(Psalm 34:8).