by John O’Malley
“And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed” (Ruth 2:18).
With her labors ended, Ruth began to gather her beaten barley grain to begin the journey home. No mention is made here that she had to acquire from Boaz a means of getting the barley home. It seems that Ruth’s confidence in the Lord God of Israel caused her to bring a vessel to carry home the grains of God’s goodness. Remembering that the volume of seven and a half gallons of grain would be a great amount to convey back to Bethlehem-judah, she was prepared to receive God’s provision.
Ruth’s faith in God to provide both a field and food is an encouragement to observe. She left home that morning expecting God to provide all her needs. Ruth needed a field in which she could glean, though the barley harvest was just beginning. Many people would have already secured their places with the landowners. Yet she knew the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob could sustain her every need. Ruth needed someone to view her through eyes of grace instead of eyes of race. Ruth needed food for that day and God made a way.
Ruth’s commitment to the God of Israel and to Naomi was not a light-hearted arrangement. Upon her exodus from Moab, she did not merely get caught up in the emotions of the moment and frivolously state the she would follow the Lord God of Israel. Ruth’s commitment was not forgotten when the good times came in fields and fellowship with Boaz.
During the meal, Boaz gave Ruth parched corn to enjoy. Ruth took this extra blessing for herself and also for Naomi. Ruth’s love for Naomi prompted this selfless, generous act. She wanted every good thing that came to her to also come to Naomi. When Ruth returned back to the field, she had to keep the parched corn safe. When she made her journey home, she had to secure its safety.
Ruth saw her blessings as blessings to be shared with the others in her life. Upon her return to the city, Ruth pulled her reserved portion for Naomi from its secured location and presented it to her. Naomi knew that Ruth did not have to do this; she certainly was touched by her kindness. Boaz had blessed Ruth with handfuls of purpose of barley and kernels of parched corn. Ruth chose to share this goodness with Naomi. Ruth’s simple deed of reserving a “parched corn blessing” for Naomi must not be overlooked in our daily lives.
We receive many blessings from our Eternal Boaz from which we should keep a portion for the Naomis in our lives. Certainly God has placed a Naomi in your life. Your Naomi might be a family member, a friend, someone in your church or at a nursing home. Why not take the parched corn of God’s blessings and share it with a Naomi today?