by John O’Malley
“And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me” (Ruth 2:11).
Boaz stood before a prostrate Ruth. Her words of amazement brought delight to his heart. He explained in part, about how he came to this decision to care for her. The preamble to his explanation, “It hath fully been shewed me” is worthy of notice.
The servant set over the reapers played a vital role in Boaz’s comprehension of Ruth’s situation. He had explained to Boaz about Ruth’s arrival in the field. The servant set over the reapers spoke of her request to glean and her knowledge of the laws of Jehovah. His servant related much about Ruth to Boaz. Yet Boaz stated that it had been fully shown to him about Ruth’s condition, conversion, conduct, and communication. Boaz knew far more about Ruth than what the servant had said. Boaz, a resident of Bethlehem-judah, would have heard about Naomi’s arrival and her Gentile convert from Moab.
The diligent reader of the inspired text would recall the whole town of Bethlehem-judah was aware of Naomi’s return. The townspeople enquired not only of Naomi’s return, but also of Naomi’s retrieval of a Moabite. The supper tables of Bethlehem-judah were probably filled with conversations of the testimony of Ruth. The city gate also had its share of information about Ruth, as the people there were the first to notice Naomi’s return.
We must not easily abandon the message in Boaz’s statement. God’s involvement with Boaz’s knowledge must not be overlooked. Man could only know in part of Ruth’s coming, her conviction, her conversion, and her conversation. Yet Boaz said, “It hath fully been shewed me.” God saw to it that Boaz’s heart, spirit, and soul were prepared for this special moment in the line of Christ.
There is another special moment in God’s eternal plan. It too has been shown fully to us in His Word. God’s Word is the primary method to “fully show” people today. The Word of God fully shows the truth of man’s rebellion, ruin, and rejection. The Bible fully shows God’s redemption, restoration, and return for men converted by grace through faith. Do you need to understand what God is doing around your heart and home? Remember, “it hath fully been shewed” you in the Word of God.