by John O’Malley
“Then said Boaz unto Ruth” (Ruth 2:8).
Until this moment, we have no recorded words between Boaz and Ruth. Ruth had noticed Boaz’s interest in her. Since Boaz’s arrival, both the servant and Boaz would look her way, and then speak earnestly with each other. They would gesture with their hands, and then both would glance her way.
What could they be saying? What could she have done that would have garnered this kind of attention? Ruth reviewed the morning hours in her mind. What thoughts those must have been! Listen to what she could have been thinking:
“I know when I came to the field this morning that I first spoke to that servant. Oh, the compassion I sensed in his ability to listen; it seemed he hung on my every word. It was a bit unusual that a stranger would show this kind of concern and compassion on behalf of his master.
It seemed his heart was prepared for my arrival. What was that word Naomi said when she told me one of the stories of our Father Abraham? Yes, I remember now, Jehovah-jireh. Yes, God had provided a ram in the thicket for Abraham and a servant in the field for me. I really wanted to thank the servant more, but I sensed that the praise for that servant belonged to God. Yes, God loves me!
He told me I could glean among the sheaves. I have so much enjoyed working here amongst the servants of Boaz. I have attempted to do the best I could. I have only taken one break. I hope they do not want me to leave. I know I am simply a Moabitish damsel; I am unwanted by most, but I felt like I belonged again. Please God, make it so I can stay and work here!”
There was no more time for reviewing the morning’s events in the journal of her heart. Boaz was headed her way. Her heart began to beat faster; her palms became sweaty and her mouth dried in an instant.
What would he say to her? Each step seemed to take an eternity; she simply had to hear what he was going to tell her. If Boaz’s servant could listen to her with compassion, what must Boaz be like?
Reader, many times we lose our sense of anticipation of hearing from our Eternal Boaz. It is as if we think we know what He is going to say, so we lose our eagerness to listen to God through His Word. Thankfully, Ruth did not listen to Boaz as most believers today listen to God.
There is a sense of half-heartedness and complacency in many believers when it comes to their personal time of listening to the Lord in His Word. Dear reader, when did you last become stirred over what God would say to you when you read His Word. When did you last sense He was speaking to your heart in a church service?How long has it been since you heard God speak to your heart?Ruth yearned to hear from Boaz. Do you?