by John O’Malley
“Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day” (Ruth 3:18).
Once Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem-judah, no less than eight times is Ruth called “my daughter.” Five of those times, the phrase was spoken by Naomi. Each time marked a moment of grace and indicated their new beginning. Those who have studied the patterns of numbers used in the Bible and their significance teach that eight is the number of new beginnings and five is the number of grace. Truly, Ruth and Naomi’s story is marked with grace and new beginnings.
When Ruth left their house to find grace in the eyes of unknown harvest field hands, she heard Naomi say, “Go, my daughter.” When Ruth returned with the good news of Boaz being that field owner who would not only let her glean once, but asked her to return to no other field but his, Naomi said, “It is good, my daughter.” The third moment Ruth heard this phrase of grace and new beginnings was when Naomi determined that she would seek rest for Ruth in the kinship of Boaz.
The fourth instance Naomi spoke this precious phrase came when she wondered as Ruth came into the house at dawn. Ruth came in with barley in her hand and Boaz in her heart. Naomi saw all this and questioned whether she came in solely as “my daughter” or as the betrothed of Boaz. The last recorded occasion when Naomi used this phrase is reserved for a moment of counsel in grace and new beginnings. She told Ruth, “Sit still, my daughter,” and let Boaz work things out. From these occasions, the child of God learns that the fabric of new beginnings is always hemmed with the fringes of His grace.
There was something special about Ruth. Her testimony of virtue endeared her to the hearts of Mahlon, Naomi, the townspeople, and Boaz. Nowhere else in the Bible is one person referred to as “my daughter” more than Ruth. She had a virtue that displayed her true heart. She tended to draw out the best in people as they sought the best for her.
Though it is small, the phrase “my daughter” brings an opportunity for the child of God to realize that every new beginning in life is brought about by His grace. The slave owner John Newton certainly learned Ruth’s lesson of grace and new beginnings. His poetic testimony in the song we know as “Amazing Grace” phrases Naomi’s lesson for Ruth:
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me Home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine .
-John Newton
May the phrase “my daughter,” bring you reminders of our Eternal Boaz’s gift of grace and new beginnings.