A Blessing Reserved

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?

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Gleaned Until Even

by John O’Malley

“So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley” (Ruth 2:17). 

Boaz made it clear to this soon-to-be gem in the crown of the Messiah his intention to protect, provide, and perceive her every need. Just that morning Ruth, a recent widow and displaced Moabite, set out to find a place to glean for the day and found much more. She found a place to glean, but she found more. She discovered Boaz’s fields, his friendliness, his food, and a future.

Ruth quickly settled into her former position before sharing the noon meal with Boaz. The meal was certainly refreshing; however, it was not her meal that she reflected upon, but the provider of her meal and the words of comfort and charm that became her meditation as she returned to the field. 

Ruth hardly noticed how quickly the minutes became hours. When the joy of Boaz is your strength, time is immeasurable. The Word of God indicates that she stayed in the field working until it was evening. Gleaning until evening sounds melodic in its expression. However, this work was not easy, nor was it effortless work; it was earnest work. Yet with her meditations upon Boaz’s grace, we understand her desire to give her all. 

The efforts of the morning and the events of the noonday meal led to earnest working until the last ray of sunlight crossed the barrier between daylight and twilight. The night would soon arrive, when none could work. She knew what was going to be done could not wait. 

Ruth’s zeal for Boaz’s harvest and his heart set a real standard for harvest workers. It is clear that if the workers of the Eternal Boaz would make His grace their meditation, their zeal for His work would increase exponentially. The Lord of the harvest Himself said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). Ruth’s example and the Saviour’s edict must be our main concern. 

Harvest worker, have you become weakened and lain aside yourself? Has the tint of the evening’s sunset on the horizon made your labors decrease? Do you work with the same inner zeal as you did the first day upon entering the family of the Eternal Boaz? Let the phrase from this verse spur you on to a newfound zeal. 

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Seven and a Half Gallons of Grace

by John O’Malley

“So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley” (Ruth 2:17). 

The fruits of Boaz’s grace lay before her, and the next phase of her work began. Though the day had slipped to the evening hours, she began to beat out that she had gleaned. Ruth’s gleanings could not be left unattended that evening. She spent her day not having to work as hard as she had thought she would. 

It seemed that, ever since the midday meal, her work had become very easy. Could it have been the more time she spent with Boaz, the easier her labors became? Could it be the meal Boaz shared with her sustained her so much that she had strength beyond her own measure to accomplish the task? No matter the answer to the aforementioned questions, the truth remains she had an abundance of wheat for a normal gleaner. 

The Old Testament laws pertaining to these matters permitted gleaning only after the wheat had been gathered and bundled. However, Ruth was permitted to glean among the reapers. Her gleanings yielded seven and a half gallons of wheat. This would be an extraordinary amount. It was the grace of Boaz that brought this amount and her satisfaction in the provision of the Eternal Boaz.

The focal point in this verse should not only spotlight Ruth’s efforts, but rather the grace of Boaz to one he had made his own. Ruth’s testimony before the servant set over the reapers was that she was a diligent, dedicated, and determined worker. Her gleanings represented the interest of the God of Israel under Whose wings she had come to trust. Her gleanings symbolized Boaz’s intention to provide care and comfort to her. 

Ruth’s gleaning would not be complete until she had beaten out the grains of barley. This beating would yield the nourishment and supplies she and her mother-in-law required. Each grain of barley indicated an answered prayer, an attentive provider, and an active promise. Ruth had sought God for supply, and He answered. She pursued God, and He gave her a provider. Ruth knew that, since she was under His wings, His promises were sure. This beating time was certainly a blessing time for Ruth.

As you go about this day working with His blessings of barley in your life, consider each grain a representative of an answered prayer, an attentive provider, and an active promise. He loves us with an everlasting love. Ruth carried home seven and a half gallons of barley that day. How much are you carrying home today?

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In the Field

by John O’Malley

“So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley” (Ruth 2:17). 

Ruth gleaned in the field. It would be rather easy to overlook the simplicity of such a statement. It would be even easier to avoid the obvious. No small attention should be made toward the middle words in the first phrase of this verse. 

Some might even wonder, “Where else would one labor but the field?” It is clear that if she was adopted into a relationship with the family of the lord of the harvest, and she had been inducted into the harvest worker role, what else would she do? One could ask, “She was laboring, is that not enough?” Friend, it seems that many have come to adopt the mentality that generates these questions. It is assumed that if you are laboring, it is enough. It is not enough!

We must make conscientious application to our own hearts as we ponder, not solely upon whether we labor, but also upon where we are laboring. As Christians today, we are often busy laboring in fields, but in fields of our own making. We labor for our own causes and neglect the cause of Christ. Some today seem to labor in more than one field. Any labor in fields other than that of the Lord of the harvest creates a weariness that hinders or even halts our labor for our Eternal Boaz.

Like Ruth, as believers we have been adopted into a relationship with Jesus, The Eternal Boaz. We have also been inducted into His harvest field to labor. This should be enough to prompt us to stay in His fields laboring for His cause. 

Where are you laboring today? Are you in a field of His making or your own? Have you spread yourself thinly and His fields are suffering for it? Many would have scolded Ruth for getting into Boaz’s family, and then going about her own business as if nothing happened between her and Boaz. Why then would you hold a standard for Ruth and another for yourself? Determine today to labor in the field He placed you and not in a field of your own making.

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Beating Out To Share With Others

by John O’Malley

“So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley” (Ruth 2:17).

The goodness of Boaz was certainly brought to Ruth’s mind as she took her rod to beat out the grains of barley from the stalks. Each strike to the bundles of barley yielded the precious grain she had desired from early that morning when she sought a benevolent provider for her needs. Who would have thought in human terms that a Moabitish widow could walk into a strange land, find favor with a landowner, and carry home much more than an ordinary person’s gleanings for a day?

There is a thought worth considering from her efforts that day. Boaz had provided Ruth access, authority, and abundance for her to obtain the barley. Ruth needed to get into his field and find what was available to her. Once she had procured the gleanings, she would then be able to beat out what she had gleaned. This process would complete the job for her to carry her blessings home to share with Naomi.

Our Eternal Boaz has done the same thing for His adopted Moabite children of grace. He has given us the barley fields of His Word. It is a perfect crop abundant with handfuls of purpose dropped on every page and every line. The Holy Spirit is the servant set over the reapers and is available to us to show us where to glean for the day. Once we have read in His Word and received a thought for the day, it is incumbent upon every believer to use the rod of meditation to beat out grains for our own sustenance and grains to share with others.

Have you ever been called upon to share a verse or a thought from the Word of God with a friend? Have you struggled because you may have skipped your reading that day? Have you ever read the words on the pages of the Bible and failed to sit down to beat out grains to gather for yourself and prepare some to give to others? By neglecting the time of meditating (beating out), you are missing out on the best part of the barley fields of the Bible. 

Many people fall into the trap of always relying upon others to beat out grains for them. They rely upon pastors, teachers and books to beat things out for them and never attempt to make the effort to do so themselves. It is typical of our society to expect everything to be handed to us, and therefore we are left with a spiritually shallow generation. 

Believer, determine to be one who not only receives beaten out grains, but also is able to do so on your own. Remember, there are others in your life with whom you will be able to share grains from God’s Word. Why not determine to always beat out with the rod of meditation a barley blessing for yourself and barley blessings to share with others? 

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Your Will Is My Desire

by John O’Malley

“And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not” (Ruth 2:16). 

Ruth returned to the work in the field to begin gleaning again. Joy filled her mind as she reviewed words Boaz spoke during the meal they shared. Oh, how his words still ministered to her heart and soul! It was easy to trust him; his words spoke peace to her heart. She found that as she drew near to him, hope’s embers became rekindled in the hearth of her heart.

With Ruth safe in the fields, Boaz instructed his men in a new method of harvesting. These men were well acquainted with the latest techniques and styles of harvesting. They were hired by Boaz because of their ability to harvest efficiently. 

However, Boaz's instructions seemed counterproductive to anything they had heard or seen done in the harvest field. His first words were to “let some fall.” There was no doubt; Boaz’s words were clear. They were to purposely let some of the handfuls of the harvest fall onto the ground. 

Dropping the fruit of the harvest was not a natural act to them. Their skills were well learned. They knew how to swiftly strike the scythe to the stems and grab the falling crop in a seamless movement. Now with their new instructions, Boaz told them after they had labored to retrieve some of the harvest, they were to let some of it fall to the ground for Ruth. 

Questions were sure to rise, but Boaz had spoken; his words and will must become their own words and will. They were to let go of what they had worked hard to get, all for the sake of Boaz. They could not spend all their time cherishing every grain gathered as if it were their own crop. They must not fuss over what Boaz said to do. They were to take some of their labors and let them fall for the benefit of another.

Many times those who are working for the Eternal Boaz are hindered by pride. We look at our areas and admire accomplishments. This can be a real hindrance when God requires of us to take what we have done for Him and give it to His work and to His workers. We love to delight in our abundance, as if it were our own.

This “pride-filled” mentality still affects our labors in the Eternal Boaz’s field. Many times we see what we have done as our personal achievement, when in truth we are to be working in His harvest, with His tools, and with His methods. We can claim no fruit as our own. When God says, “Let some fall,” we should reply with delight, “Your will is my desire!” 

When our Eternal Boaz asks you to drop some handfuls of purpose for His workers, what is your reply and reaction?

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Seeking His Blessing Over My Bounty

by John O’Malley

“And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not” (Ruth 2:16). 

 In chapter twenty-four of Deuteronomy, God told the Israelites three things concerning their harvesting of grapes, olives, and grains. These instructions were to benefit those who were strangers, widows, and fatherless. God gave these instructions so there would be provision for these who could not provide for themselves.

 If the farmer had vineyards, he was to gather grapes only once and not to glean them later. If a man had olive trees, when it came time to beat the tree trunks and branches so they could harvest the olives, they were not to return to beat the trees again. If a farmer had field crops to harvest and they were gathering sheaves in the field and dropped a sheaf by accident, they were not to return after it. 

 God’s provision in His agricultural laws for the strangers, the fatherless, and the widows came with a blessing. God specifically promised to bless anyone that blessed those that had been disadvantaged by death and displacement. Boaz knew God’s laws and desired to follow them and to do even more than was required. 

 Boaz spoke that day with both local authority and divine authority to his workers when he told them to leave handfuls of purpose for Ruth in the fields. His workers were familiar with the rules about the accidental dropping of sheaves. They would never dream of returning to retrieve it, for every Israelite desired God’s blessing on his life. Yet on that day they were told to let some fall on purpose.

 Boaz was taking his men with him on the path of desiring even more of God’s blessing in his life. He told his men, “When you go through the fields, I want you to drop some sheaves for Ruth.” This instruction went beyond the boundaries of the law and entered the boundaries of love. The letter of the law said if a sheaf were to fall by accident, they were to leave it. The letter of love said let some fall on purpose and watch it bless. 

 Boaz wanted Ruth to discover tokens of his love throughout her workday. Boaz’s men were to drop them surreptitiously; Ruth was not to know or see them intentionally do so. What delight they must have found as they observed God’s law, obeyed their master’s word, and enriched the heart of one who had only known disadvantages and displacement in her life.

 Many Christians today neglect Boaz’s example. Many times, believers seek to build their own nest egg and help few out along life’s way. Boaz’s thinking was simple: “It is better when I bless others from my bounty and let Him bless me with His bounty. It is worse when I bless myself from my own bounty and miss the blessings of His bounty.”

What about you? Are you hoarding the bounty He has given you? Are you one to follow the letter of the law when being observed? Are you one of those who blesses himself and misses God’s blessing? Let us return to the desire of Boaz and seek God’s blessing over our own bounty.

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Rebuking or Rejoicing

by John O’Malley

“And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not" (Ruth 2:16). 

Boaz covered every detail with his men in relation to their special task of leaving sheaves of barley for Ruth. His men were to place the barley in her path. These emissaries of Boaz were not to hover over them, but rather leave them for her as she reached them in her gleaning. Boaz’s words gave both instructions to the men and guaranteed insurance for Ruth that she would not face any rebuke as she gathered up provision for Naomi and herself.

Boaz’s command left his workers with clear indication of his intentions for Ruth and her future provision. He did not want the typically mean-spirited accusations and activities to bruise the newest rose in Boaz’s garden of compassion. The temptation for the workers of Boaz would be to scold her for being where she had not earned the right to be gleaning. 

With ease, Boaz’s workers could have used sarcasm as the newest member of the harvesting family had just been given full access to the fields and family of Boaz. The harvest-hardened workers of Boaz could have offered sharp comments to Ruth as both helper to Boaz and homemaker in the line of Christ. The men in the service of Boaz knew clearly that Ruth’s protection, provision, and potential rested solely in Boaz. 

In no small way is this same scenario played out in our churches today around this world. Many times the harvest-hardened workers of the Eternal Boaz struggle with new people coming into the family. They feel endangered by the ease of the new believer. They sense an inadequacy with their own spiritual development, and therefore seek to make the new believer uneasy. They develop a territorial presence in their personal service for the Lord of the harvest. They also become threatened by the newness the believer experiences in every aspect of their service. 

My fellow harvester of many years, the command of Boaz easily serves as caution and calling. Let it caution us not to rebuke the newest Ruth that has been added to the harvest family. May it also call us to rejoicing and renewal in our own relationship with our Eternal Boaz. Let us not grow used to the calloused personality that occasionally accompanies a long tenure in the field, but rather fight against the carnal doldrums and experience anew and afresh the delight of being in the service of our Eternal Boaz. 

Have you recently erred in a command of Boaz? Have you offered rebuke to a Ruth instead of rejoicing? Let this text urge you to rectify this matter today.

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Lessons in Giving

by John O’Malley

“And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not" (Ruth 2:16). 

Boaz’s words to his men left them with little doubt. His men were to purposely drop handfuls in Ruth’s path. They were to be careful that Ruth was the exclusive recipient. Each man would return to his row and return to his work. Each one knew the harvest belonged to Boaz. Boaz could choose to do with his harvest whatever he wanted. Each man knew Boaz would pay him a fair day’s wage. He would see to it that none of his workers would lack because they obeyed his word. 

The men were to walk down each row and purposefully drop bundles of blessing for Ruth to retrieve. Imagine the delight Boaz’s workers would find as they not only chose the bundle of grain to drop but the precise location they would drop it. Traditionally, Ruth would be walking behind these men, picking up here and there the occasional stalk and stem for future threshing. 

Boaz’s men were to leave the gift and continue with their work. They were not to linger with the gift and wait for Ruth’s arrival to identify themselves as the giver. The reapers were merely to leave them in a place anonymously and move on.

There is a valuable lesson for the believer determined to obey God’s commands. Clearly, we have been commanded to give by our Eternal Boaz. We have been commanded to give a tithe from our increase and offerings from our heart.

No doubt, delight surged through her body as she happened upon a bundle of barley. Delight would not only belong to Ruth, but there would be a contentment that would belong to the men as they dropped handfuls of purpose for Ruth. I am quite confident it was pleasurable to them as they saw contentment sweep across Ruth’s face with each retrieved bundle. These men learned it is more blessed to give than it is to receive (Acts 20:35). 

When it came to giving, each man had within his heart the desire to follow the commands of Boaz. Do we? Have we learned the blessings that come only from obedient giving?

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Handfuls for Her

by John O’Malley

“And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not" (Ruth 2:16). 

 Boaz determined that things for Ruth were going to be easy. He commanded his young men that the blessings of the handfuls of purpose were to be for Ruth exclusively. The men were not to extend this favor to any others in the field. They may have known the other gleaners in the field longer than they had known Ruth. They may have even been related to some, but favoritism was not permitted as they dropped these handfuls of purpose.

 Boaz’s command was not to be altered. He specified Ruth was to receive handfuls of purpose. His men would be in full disobedience if they chose to take their master’s bounty and place it into the hands of someone they liked better. They could not give it to someone they felt had a greater need. The men would be in error if they took the handfuls and used it for themselves. The men who received these orders knew that any other use of the bounty would leave them in jeopardy with Boaz. 

 The men in the field were to take the bounty of Boaz and place it before Ruth to be in obedience to Boaz and to provide for the needs in Ruth’s life. Boaz's men may have seen others with needs similar to Ruth, but Boaz had specified who was to receive the gift. Boaz declared the amount of the gift. Boaz even determined the frequency of the gift. Nothing was left for them to assume. Boaz had given his word.

 Our Eternal Boaz has given a similar command for believers today. We are to take the bounty He places in our hands and give it away. We are not left without command as to where we are to give His bounty. As the reapers of Boaz were to give only to Ruth, so the believer is commanded to do all his giving in one place, his local church. 

 The men in Boaz’s field were to give to Ruth with regularity. The believer is under similar guidelines; we are to give as God has prospered us. We are not to choose when and where we will give, nor are we to choose how much we will give. Boaz told his reapers to use a measure of a handful. Our Eternal Boaz has given us specific command in the same way; we use not the measure of a handful, but rather of ten percent of our increase.

 How foolish we believers can become in matters of giving! God gives to us everything  we have, and yet many times we believe we can choose where we will give, how much we will give, and how often we will give. The amount, location, and frequency of our giving are given in Scripture. Our giving must be a priority not a preference.

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Reproach Her Not

by John O’Malley

“And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not” (Ruth 2:15). 

Boaz spoke with authority to his men. Each man knew that Boaz’s words were to be taken literally. Boaz commanded the young men to permit her to glean. The gleanings were not to have the ordinary restrictions that limited a stranger, the widowed, or the poor to the corners of the land and what was lying in the way. Boaz’s orders meant Ruth had been given unfettered access to his fields. 

His words gave Ruth the clearance she needed to roam in the fields of Boaz and to pick up whatever fell from the grasp of the reapers. They were not to hinder her with their actions, attitudes, or their words. Boaz specifically added, “and reproach her not.” Typically the men would well be in their rights to defend the fields of their master against an intruder or a straying gleaner. The rules were different for Ruth; these men were not to utter a word of reproach to her.

The very phrase indicated to the young men Boaz’s power, protection, and passion for Ruth. Boaz commanded the young men, which displayed his power. He cautioned the men, which revealed his protection. He constrained the men, which revealed his passion for Ruth.

Apparently the young men would be within their rights to make Ruth feel ashamed for taking more from the field than what was legally her right by divine law. Boaz’s words made it clear they were not to reproach her. They were not to scold, humiliate, or insult Ruth for moving from the corners of the field to glean throughout the field. 

Boaz’s command gave Ruth the ability to roam throughout his fields without any fear of reprisal. Divine law gave Ruth access to the corners, but Boaz’s command gave Ruth grace to go beyond the boundaries of the law to find his love. What the law permitted for Ruth, Boaz’s grace extended to give her far more than what the law allowed. 

Sadly, in the family of God, it seems reproach comes far more easily from other believers than does rejoicing. Oftentimes a new believer’s zeal to rest and roam freely in the goodness of God’s grace is met with scolding and sarcasm from long-time family members who have grown calloused. May the words of the earthly Boaz prompt us to consider the words of our Eternal Boaz, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32). 

For each person you meet today, live out these words from the New Testament in light of Boaz’s command to his young men: Reproach them not!

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Instructions for Harvesters

by John O’Malley

“And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not” (Ruth 2:15). 

Ruth’s departure back to the fields gave Boaz the opportunity to carry out further the plan God had fully shown him. When Ruth was out of hearing, Boaz gathered his young men. Because of the nature of Boaz’s request, these probably were not the same young men who were instructed to draw water for Ruth if she was thirsty. 

Boaz did not make a suggestion to these men on their responsibility. Boaz gathered them on the terraced hillside of his harvest field and gave them a specific command. The command he gave them would instruct them in where they should go, what they should do, and what they should say.

Boaz’s command to his workers would not be negotiable for these were his harvest fields. He instructed these men to return to the fields they were familiar with and look at them in a new way. They were to go back to the fields with the heart and eyes of Boaz and carry out his command. 

Boaz’s concern for Ruth would be apparent as they listened to his words and assimilated their responsibility. Boaz specifically told them that Ruth was to be allowed unrestricted access into his fields. Normally the poor, the strangers in the land, and the widows would be given permission to stay in the corners and glean. However, with Boaz’s instructions, these men were to permit her to glean among the sheaves in the field. 

Boaz gave his men a specific command on what they were to say to Ruth if she came around the sheaves. This one command must have raised eyebrows as these men knew the profit from the field would be used up if they allowed her to come and go wherever she chose. They were told not to reproach Ruth for going near the sheaves. They were in fact to encourage her to glean, as the next verse will indicate, by leading her close to the sheaves with the handfuls they would drop on purpose.

One day our Eternal Boaz, Jesus Christ, stood outside Jerusalem on a hillside and gave specific instructions to His disciples about His harvest. These men were to go to His fields with His heart and vision and accomplish His work. He told those disciples the same three things Boaz told his workers. He told these workers where they should go, what they should do, and what they should say.

As disciples of Christ, are we following His instructions for the harvest (Acts1:8)? Are we going to the places He told us to go? Are we working in the harvest as He instructed us? Are we carrying the message He said to give? 

The world is our harvest field. We have the message of hope and heaven to deliver. We are to go to every nation and deliver the message of our condemnation and His redemption. Our Eternal Boaz has a heart and vision for the whole world. Do we have His heart?

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Serving Without Reproach

by John O’Malley

“And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not” (Ruth 2:15). 

Boaz cared deeply for this recent convert to the God of Israel. He had been fully shown Ruth’s importance to God’s plan. God had enlisted the resources, respect, and riches of Boaz to make a way for Ruth in Bethlehem-judah. 

Boaz’s command to his men is punctuated by a unique phrase, “and reproach her not.” The young men may have found this request unusual. The command could easily have been a threat to their wages if they were paid in productivity payments. They also could have viewed Boaz’s command as a threat to their role as harvesters and to their harvesting.

Boaz’s instructions were clear to his men. The workers of Boaz were to lift the restriction on Ruth’s gleaning. Ruth, because of Boaz’s grace, could glean solely in the corners of the field. Boaz’s words granted her full access and gave her the needed authority to glean wherever there were grains that had fallen.

Boaz knew his men and he recognized their tendency to be hard on each other, not to speak of their treatment of the women. Previously he had cautioned the men about their behavior. Boaz knew because her birth was Moabite and her conversion to Jehovah might mean little to them, he sought to protect her by his words. The words Boaz used to admonish his men indicated they were not to taunt, torment, insult, or wound Ruth.  

The average church member could learn a valuable lesson from Boaz’s command to his laborers. New laborers are not to be viewed as a threat to our own position on God’s team. Reproach should not come to the newest harvesters; but rather upon their arrival, unanimous rejoicing should be offered.

Many servants, absorbed in their pride, think their own positions in church are threatened when new people come along. Usually, they will begin to identify themselves by their length of service to the newcomer. Some church servants have been known to isolate newcomers with cynical statements and critical comments. 

You were once a newcomer in our Eternal Boaz’s field. You needed the fellowship and friendship of the other workers in the field. Have you forgotten from whence you have come? Has time erased your memory of the peace and protection you sought? Have you drifted from how God expects you to serve? If you are not careful, your pride can elevate you to a position higher than you really have in God’s eyes. Take heed that pride does not replace humility in the service of our Eternal Boaz. 

It is time we heed the earthly Boaz’s command. The fact remains that at one point in our existence we too were brought to the Eternal Boaz’s field by His grace. Too often, we who have been in the field for some time, offer reproach to our Eternal Boaz’s workers instead of rejoicing. May God forgive us for the reproach we have offered to the newcomers in God’s field!

Let us return in obedience to the commands of our Eternal Boaz and offer thanks and praise instead of taunting and tormenting. Let us encourage and welcome others and not insult or wound the newest members in the field. Let us be what God expects us to be!

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A Place for Moabites

by John O’Malley

“And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not” (Ruth 2:15). 

The servants of Boaz listened with interest to the most unusual instructions from their master. Here the one who had a vested interest in the profitability of the harvest told the servants to give away the profit. To the calloused observer, this gesture would seem ridiculous. Yet, the servants obeyed Boaz’s command. 

The servants were to allow Ruth full access to every part of the field. Normally the corners would be the place a woman of Ruth’s status would be lawfully permitted to glean. Yet Boaz treated Ruth not under the law, but under grace. Boaz said, “Let her glean even among the sheaves.” 

Ruth, though a Moabite, had found a place in Boaz’s heart, and Boaz wanted a place in his harvest for this Moabitess. Boaz’s grace permitted Ruth access to his harvest and his heart. It was his grace that provided Ruth favor and fellowship. Boaz’s grace opened the way for Ruth’s reward and redemption. Were it not for the grace of Boaz, Ruth’s outlook and outcome would never have been the same.

The servants were commanded to yield to Boaz’s desire to help this one who had come seeking a benefactor. Boaz desired that Ruth would have the freedom to roam in his fields. Boaz wanted Ruth to find fruit in his field. Boaz sought for nothing less than for Ruth to have favor in his fields. Boaz recruited his servants and required them to help in this endeavor.

Ruth held a special place in Boaz’s heart. She had come to Boaz’s field seeking a benefactor, and found everything and more in Boaz. Boaz arranged everything around her to bless and benefit her. Boaz did not exempt Ruth from work; he simply made the workload a little easier. 

We too hold a special place in the heart of our Eternal Boaz. He has gone to great lengths to give us more than what we ever thought we would find in this life. Our Boaz has arranged every detail of our lives to bless and benefit us. He loves us with an everlasting love. He made the way for us as former Moabites once estranged from His fellowship. Now we live not under law, but under grace.

There is a place for redeemed Moabites in the heart of Boaz as well as in His harvest. Since He accepted and adopted you, have you been gleaning? Since His redemption, have you spent more time sitting or serving? Since coming under the shadow of His grace, have you labored for Him in His field or have you just been looking around His field?

Servants of the Eternal Boaz, consider His commands to you today. Have you been obedient to His commands to tithe to your church? Have you been observant to His commands for the lost souls of man? Have you been occupied with His command to care for His servants who go to fields abroad? Have you opened your heart to Him for daily fellowship in His Word? 

Let us occupy until He comes!

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A Heart for His Harvest

by John O’Malley

“And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not” (Ruth 2:15). 

 Ruth’s first meal with Boaz was most memorable. Boaz selected Ruth to come to the meal. Boaz served Ruth during the meal. Boaz satisfied her with his bounty and blessings.

 Ruth knew that her responsibilities to fulfill her promise made to Naomi rested upon her shoulders. Furthermore, Ruth knew she must get back to the fields to finish the day’s gleaning. Though relishing in the favor of Boaz for the rest of the day would have been preferable, she realized that there were fields to glean. In an unrecorded silence, she removed herself from that special place of fellowship and food, and returned to work. 

 The image of this gleaner rising to return to her responsibilities creates a vivid image in this author’s mind. Ruth portrays for the student of the Word a clear view of Ruth’s priorities, purpose, and plans. Ruth valued her lord’s work over her own desire to rest. Ruth's purpose is seen as she left the fellowship to labor in the fields. Ruth’s plans become apparent when she departed for her duty. She knew that she had gleanings to gather in her lord’s harvest so she could provide for Naomi and herself.

 Boaz and the others watched this special one under the wings of Jehovah’s protection graciously rise from the period of resting to return to her responsibility. Boaz knew she enjoyed his fellowship and favor. Boaz was impressed with her determination to do what was right. Boaz did not have to remind her of what she was to do; she just did it. Although they both would have loved to fellowship, they knew that when the harvest ended there would more time to do so. 

 For the believer, the beginning phrase from Ruth 2:15 leaves many lessons for living. Our hearts find a wonderful example in Ruth’s heart for the harvest. Many claim to enjoy the fellowship, favor, and food of Boaz, but they have no heart for His harvest. Some testify they cannot wait to spend forever in heaven with Jesus, but they have no heart for His harvest.

 Ruth’s rising to her responsibility is our example that we should never allow our purposes, plans, and priorities to become focused on ourselves. When we do allow our will to rise above His will, we quickly lose our heart for His harvest. 

 Do you have a heart for His harvest? 

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Boaz Satisfies My Soul

by John O’Malley

“And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left”  (Ruth 2:14). 

Boaz’s invitation gave Ruth more than a place to eat; it gave her a place to connect with his heart and with his harvesters. It was more than just an invitation to a meal for Ruth. It was here Ruth discovered that all she would ever need, Boaz could supply. That day, Boaz fed her food for her hunger and fellowship for her heart.

Ruth could look at the faces of those gathered around this humble fellowship of people and know that they all enjoyed Boaz’s blessings and bounty. Ruth’s position of being seated by the reapers, but within reach of Boaz, gave her no small comfort. Ruth found her hunger was satisfied with his provisions. She discovered her heart was satisfied with his presence, and her hope was satisfied with his promises. 

A quick glance over her shoulder as she returned to her labors would have left Ruth with a sense of tranquillity. The meal had restored her energy and the fellowship had renewed her mind. 

Her departure from the fellowship and the food must have begun a thinking process. Inwardly, she must have contemplated the satisfaction that Boaz brought to her life. She was satisfied with Boaz’s blessings and bread. Ruth found satisfaction in his bounty. Boaz satisfied her heart and met all her needs.     

Any who have ever worked on a project with a group of people and stopped for a meal can imagine their conversation that day in the field. There would have been discussion of their labors that morning. They might have discussed what was happening in the community with their friends and family. Surely there would have been laughter and lightheartedness during this meal; yet all would have been mindful of the unfinished task before them. They would enjoy the mealtime for that moment, but knew there was still work to be completed. There was still a crop to harvest. There was still grain to thresh. There were still fields to be gleaned. 

For the believer today, it would be wise to take a lesson from these nine words in our focus phrase “and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.” There are lessons of resting, replenishing, and returning for the labor of our Eternal Boaz. Ruth was called apart from her labors to rest. She enjoyed the way the food and the fellowship replenished her emptiness. She enjoyed it all with an awareness of her unfinished responsibility. Ruth then returned to her labors mindful that only Boaz could satisfy her soul. 

We too have before us a harvest of souls that we must reap, glean, and gather. Let us feast and fellowship until we are sufficed. Then let us return and complete our labors, ever mindful of the day when our labors shall cease, and we will have an eternity to rest and rejoice. Laborer, never forget that only Boaz can bring satisfaction.

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He Reached Out for Me

by John O’Malley

“And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left” (Ruth 2:14). 

To the casual observer, this scene would seem unique. Gathered at the edge of the harvest was what appeared to be the lord of the harvest and his workers and a woman. They were in the midst of a midday meal. 

Their fare seemed to be adequate and abundant. Bread brought from Bethlehem was broken. Vinegar from a dish was made available for the workers to dip bread in as they ate. Refreshing water was available to quench the worker’s thirst. Young men stood by to draw more water if needed. Each worker was able to reach for the food he desired. The food was placed there for the worker’s benefit. The workers shared both in the food and in the fellowship.

Placed on the table before the workers was a dish containing corn. This corn was roasted in the husk over a fire. In order to eat it, they removed the husks and either broke off the kernels or ate it off the cob. Both the nutrients and the flavor were rewarding to the workers in the field.

Boaz was seated in the Middle Eastern fashion with his workers. At the table, all eyes would be toward Boaz; anything he did or said would be noticed. After all, this was his food, prepared for his people. 

The reapers and the new member of the group, all watched the lord of the harvest in wonder. Boaz purposefully reached across the spread of food laid out for his workers to get parched corn. His reach was not for himself. He took an ear of corn that had been parched and offered it to one person at this gathering. Boaz gave it to Ruth. 

Boaz chose the ear he would give. Ruth and the others seated at the table knew this gesture was special. No one else at this meal had been favored in this way. Boaz selected the husk, offered Ruth the corn, and she accepted. 

Boaz had honored Ruth in front of the reapers of the harvest. The honor was not for years of service. Nor was Ruth’s honoring for the sake of productivity. Boaz honored Ruth because of his goodness.

Our Eternal Boaz is even more gracious to us than Boaz was to Ruth. God knows our every need and He supplies it. More than only meeting daily needs, He selects and offers us parched corn in our daily lives. Look around your home and your heart. Have you no husks remaining from where our Eternal Boaz selected, roasted, and offered you gestures of His goodness? He did not have to offer you anything, but He did! 

It is time we train our hearts and our heritage to look for the ears of parched corn He reaches for us. His reaching  parched corn for us should make us and our children rejoice and feel reassured. Our Eternal Boaz loves us. He is looking out for us. For every ear of parched corn He brings today, take a moment, and reflect on His goodness.

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Morsels From Boaz

by John O’Malley

“And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left” (Ruth 2:14). 

Ruth’s heart must have swelled with delight as Boaz took careful detail to explain to her his desire for them to fellowship. She must have found great pleasure as he made it clear that she was to be in fellowship with him at her mealtime. Ruth would be near Boaz and receive nourishment from him at every mealtime.

Boaz’s instructions about the fellowship time included a comment about taking morsels and dipping them in vinegar. This practice is still used today by Arabs in the deserts of the east as a method of rehydration. The people would dip their morsels of food and bread into a sauce. The sauce would provide them cool refreshment. 

Boaz thought of everything and made it available to her. Ruth would not need to bring anything to this mealtime. She would be given all she would need; bread, parched corn, morsels, and vinegar would be spread before her. Mealtimes with Boaz and his reapers would replenish her physical energy and refresh her emotional energy. 

Fellowshipping with Boaz would bring her joy without measure. All she would need to do is arrive, get in her place, and feast on what was placed before her. Boaz made it easy for her by giving her his personal invitation. Ruth discovered that Boaz gave attention to even the morsels. 

At mealtime, Ruth was to come from the field. She was to be seated by the reapers. Ruth was to take bread from what was prepared and not worry about bringing any from home. The fellowship time promised to be refreshing for the body; however, there was an unspoken benefit for her heart as well. The fellowship would bring a much-needed uplift to her heart. She would not be cast off to the side in Boaz’s field; she was both welcome and wanted. 

Our Eternal Boaz offers the same arrangement for His reapers today. God has given us the bread and morsels of His Word. He has given us fellowship with His Spirit in which to dip the morsels of the Word that we find at mealtime and seek even richer refreshing. It is our duty to get to the fellowship time and enjoy morsels from our Eternal Boaz.

Keep in mind the danger many believers face. In searching for morsels, they rush to His table of fellowship each day in the Word simply to grab the morsels and never stay for the meal. Many have come to think the Word of God is a fast-food chain where they rush in, order up a happy meal from God, and drive off. Many expect that kind of relationship with the Word, but that is not what God intended. Friend, let your relationship with Him become a time of intimate contact and not a fast-food experience.

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My Position With Boaz

by John O’Malley

“And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left” (Ruth 2:14). 

Ruth gently took her place as Boaz had instructed her. Looking around her, she noticed the reapers that she had been gleaning with that morning. Confidence marked each step as she made her way into the family of reapers. The reapers knew she had been taken from the ranks of the poor, foreign, and widowed; she had been placed into the circle of fellowship with them. 

The faces of the reapers changed as she crossed the unmarked boundary between poverty and the preferred. Ruth stepped into their circle of fellowship, found her place, and sat down by Boaz’s reapers. The harvest family had a new member, and they knew it was because of the work of Boaz.

Ruth’s search for a benefactor came to an end in Boaz. Boaz abundantly exceeded any desire she had when she left Naomi that morning. Certainly living “under the wings in whom she had come to trust” had blessings untold and joys unspeakable. 

Ruth’s standing in the field changed when Boaz invited her to be a part of his harvest. She went from being poor to being preferred. She changed from being foreign to being family. She was being promoted from widowhood to being wanted by Boaz.

Ruth had a sense of security that she had not known since Mahlon died. The day he died, she lost more than her husband. Ruth felt as though she had lost her heart. Her heart became disconnected after Mahlon’s death. Boaz found the loose ends of her heart and tied them to his own; and Ruth knew security again. 

Oh, how it must have done Ruth’s heart good! What a sense of belonging she must have felt as she looked around her and saw where she had come from and where she had arrived. Boaz had made a way for Ruth to have food for tomorrow, fellowship for today, and a family forever.

Were it not for the work and will of our Eternal Boaz, we would not be in the position we have today. The will of our Eternal Boaz is that all would come to Him. The work of our Eternal Boaz has made it possible for all to come to Him. 

Never forget the day you crossed the boundary from sinner to saint. Never lose the value of how precious it is to be in Boaz’s family! As a believer, you have been given a position in Boaz’s family that lasts forever. You are given provision from Boaz’s field for your daily bread. You have a position in Boaz’s fellowship with other workers. What a privilege it is to be part of the family, partaker of His food, and participant in His fellowship!

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Bread From Bethlehem

by John O’Malley

“And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left” (Ruth 2:14). 

 The name Bethlehem-judah means, “House of bread in the land of praise.” This town, named for its production of bread, carries special significance in Bible history. Two kings would come from Bethlehem-judah, one an earthly king and the other the King of Kings. Rachel, the mother of Israel, would be buried there. Boaz, the benefactor in Ruth’s life, would hail from there and be God’s channel of blessing in Ruth’s life. 

 It is this Boaz and his offer of bread that holds our focus for this day. Boaz cared for Ruth in every way possible. His words seemingly dissipated the lingering clouds of doubt and despair in Ruth’s horizon. Boaz’s words paint a portrait of his inclusion of Ruth into his favor. Boaz’s words paint a portrait of two hearts brought together by God’s will. Two hearts standing in a field, knowing that each of their tomorrows would never be the same. 

 These two certainly must have shared an unspoken hope as they examined their hearts in this moment. Ruth stood near Boaz’s side as he presented his invitation to fellowship with him and his instructions for her to follow. She knew this man sought to bless her heart and held no ulterior motives. Boaz was a man she could trust with her heart and her hopes. 

 Boaz directed her attention to the bread set before his workers. It was bread from Bethlehem. This bread from Bethlehem would represent the call from God that brought Naomi and Ruth from Moab. The bread displayed God’s goodness after a famine in the land. 

 The bread he offered replenished her energy and rewarded her efforts in the field. The bread from Bethlehem-judah would have provided strength for her continued labors. This bread would also create anticipation for another meal the following day. Boaz encouraged her to eat because he knew he would have fresh bread the next day. Ruth would learn that her labors in the field would require her to use the strength from the bread she had eaten at mealtime with Boaz.

 Similarly, our Eternal Boaz offers to us today the same invitation. God offers us, His adopted children, the bread of the Word of God. His Word replenishes the energy we expend laboring for Him in His harvest.The bread of God’s Word rewards us for our efforts on His behalf. 

 When reading God’s Word, we find that our strength is renewed and we are prepared for our return to our labors for Him. When we eat of His bread, we are left with anticipation of a meal with Him soon. The Word we take in each day at mealtime with our Eternal Boaz will benefit our labors. Once you have tasted His bread, you will want no other.

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