by John O’Malley
“And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshing floor” (Ruth 3:2).
Naomi’s words kindled heartfelt emotions as Ruth listened. Certainly, the words could have found a lodging place in her hearing for a moment. Yet words like these are words best stored in the heart to treasure in days to come. Naomi’s words struck the chords of friendship and fellowship in Ruth’s heart.
It was not that long ago (now measured in months) that Ruth had arrived from Moab. Providentially, she had arrived in the harvest season. She was accepted in the field and assigned to a group of Boaz’s servants to work for him. His acceptance and assignment had given her the secured status, “maiden of Boaz.”
When she met the other maidens in the harvest field, she discovered the blessing of harvest fellowship. Ruth enjoyed being accepted as his maiden in spite of her marred heritage, missing husband, and monetary holdings. She came to the fellowship of maidens with nothing but a grateful heart and willing hands. They accepted her, and, of course, she accepted them.
Ruth’s assignment was to abide fast by Boaz’s maidens (2:8). Naomi encouraged her to be faithful to his harvest. She did not want Ruth to experience the shame of being found in the fellowship of other maidens doing other things in another harvest (2:22). Ruth’s commitment to Boaz’s heart and harvest made her faithful to both the barley and the wheat harvest (2:23).
An interesting parallel is seen between the days of Ruth and our day. We who have been saved from sin are accepted in the family of God and assigned to a group of believers in a specific location: a church. Your church is where the servants and handmaidens of Boaz conduct His harvest business. Some believers think that church membership and faithfulness to the house of God do not apply to them. Some enjoy acceptance in the family of Boaz but think that the assignment to a group of believers is superfluous.
There are even others who will join a church and never lift a finger to work in the harvest. They believe that attending the worship services, tithing, and coming to prayer meeting are doing their part in the harvest. Doing these things is a matter of character in the heart of any forgiven servant or handmaiden. Involvement in the harvest business is no problem for those who are appreciative of His acceptance and of adoption into His family. However, it is a problem for those who have lost appreciation for the Eternal Boaz!
Where are you in this parallel? Are you amongst those who are spiritual spectators? Are you amongst those who are spiritual participants? How faithful have you been to the Eternal Boaz?