by John O’Malley
“Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking” (Ruth 3:3).
Ruth listened as the instructions came forth. She knew there were three things she had to do to prepare herself for fellowship with Boaz. Her cleansing, consecration, and covering were to prepare herself for close fellowship with Boaz; these were Naomi’s instructions for preparation. There were two other things she had to do to fellowship with Boaz. These were part of Naomi’s instructions for presentation.
Ruth understood clearly: she was to make her way down to the threshing floor and wait. Her entrance into the threshing floor would not be some theatrical moment where the lovely young lady dramatically enters the room for all to see. This would not be an inappropriate display of pride or seeking to draw attention. She was to hasten to the floor of threshing and wait for the right moment.
Certainly, for all her preparation, there would be some today who would want her to rush into the threshing floor and show herself off to the servants, to Boaz, and to anyone else. This was not a moment to display the beauty of her presence, but rather the beauty of her heart. Ruth was to get to the threshing floor and to secret herself away until the right moment. Her presentation was not for the helpers of the harvest, but rather for the lord of the harvest.
The winnowing process was surely being completed upon her arrival. Boaz would have his meal prepared so he could eat it after the winnowing process. Ruth could watch as he went through the stages to stop the work for the night. He ate his meal, surveying the work done for the evening, and certainly was satisfied. Rest would come easy, as those who labor with their hands know. The gentle breezes from the west which helped him winnow would also caress him as he slept.
Certainly, Ruth would watch with anticipation, waiting for things to unfold as Naomi said. Perhaps she would rehearse the words from our focus verse in her mind. She was to wait until he had finished eating and drinking to present herself to him to be accepted into his fellowship. She was not to rush nor linger; she was to present herself when the time was right.
The best fellowship known between harvest workers and the Lord of the harvest is when there has been heart preparation on the part of the worker before the heart presentation. Reader, our Eternal Boaz is always ready for us to present ourselves to Him for fellowship in prayer. When was the last time you took such care to present yourself to Him? When was the last time you anxiously awaited getting to fellowship with Him? Our Eternal Boaz is available to us through prayer—always.