by John O’Malley
“And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law” (Ruth 3:17).
Ruth’s words gushed forth as she, with great detail, shared with Naomi the goodness of Boaz to her. The only detail we are given in the accounting of the past few hours is that Boaz instructed her not to go back empty to Naomi’s house. The Holy Spirit gave us just what we needed to know in the text.
The absence of every other detail makes this, her one statement, significant: “These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.” Boaz wanted Naomi and Ruth to have everything they needed during the waiting period. Though he was going to be gone just throughout the day, he did not want to leave them without his provision.
Boaz’s concern for their sustenance makes it easy to see the honor he held for Ruth and Naomi. Naomi was the only real guardian Ruth had in Bethlehem-judah. Boaz wanted Naomi to know that his intentions were pure and that he remembered Elimelech. His words make us realize that traveling back with just the testimony of the day was not enough; Ruth must not go empty-handed.
Boaz gave her exactly what he felt would send the message to Naomi that redemption was on the way. Much like the child of God who is waiting the return of our Eternal Boaz, we have been left with full hands and hearts until His return to catch us away. Which begs the question, why is it that we act so empty in both hands and heart? Our Eternal Boaz has seen fit to bless us abundantly with His promise of redemption in our hearts and His provision of barley in our hands.
Boaz was concerned that Ruth's hands not be empty, so he blessed her. Our Eternal Boaz is concerned the same way for us. We are awaiting His return; He has given us sufficient provision to last until He comes back. The testimony of our lives sends a message to those around us about our Eternal Boaz. What are people hearing about the Eternal Boaz by the way you walk before them? Empty walking and living is a disgrace to our Eternal Boaz.