by John O’Malley
“And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest” (Ruth 2:21).
Ruth continued to relate to Naomi the message of Boaz. Calm authority characterized his words. Ruth came to his field. She needed safety, security, and supply. Boaz made it clear that Ruth would have all she would need.
Ruth certainly found comfort in Boaz’s use of the word “my.” Four times in this chapter he used the word “my.” Boaz’s first words to Ruth were “my daughter.” Then he said to Ruth follow “my maidens.”
He used the word “my” twice. First he said to Ruth, “Stay fast by my young men.” Boaz saw the workers in the field not just as hirelings; they were his. The men in the fields were not free agents that would come and go; they were his. The men in the field were identified as young, and they were not scorned because of their age or achievements; they were his.
Boaz was not ashamed to be identified as the lord of their harvest. He was not embarrassed to include them as those who would be close to his heart. His investment in the harvest did not distance him from the workers, but rather drew them to him. His communication to Ruth made it clear: “the young men belong to me.”
The second use of the word, “my” in this verse is connected to his harvest. He told Ruth, “keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.” Boaz had a vested interest in the harvest. In was not just another harvest field; it was his harvest field. Boaz did not ignore the harvest field as just another one in his possession, but he took ownership of harvest. Boaz’s investment in the harvest led to his interest in the harvest and his affection for the harvesters.
Children of the Eternal Boaz would do well to heed this simple thought: you are part of His harvest. You are His laborer, His Harvester. He has an interest in both your person and your productivity. He invested much in His harvest and in you. He spoke to His disciples and mentioned to them this same thought in Matthew nine. He referred to His laborers and His harvest. Our Eternal Boaz loves us dearly and longs for us to complete His harvest.
Boaz had invested much in his maidens, his harvest, and his men; with all of the investment, he had much interest. Jesus said it this way: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). His treasure is in His children and in those who could be His children. Take comfort this day in the truth that, “My beloved is mine, and I am his” (Song of Solomon 2:16).