Naomi’s Promise

by John O’Malley

“And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do” (Ruth 3:4).

God’s sovereign hand orchestrated this moment. Naomi’s declaration of despair (1:20) upon her return home is reversed as now she reveals her renewed devotion to Jehovah’s will (3:4). She clearly states that, upon Ruth fulfilling these matters, “He will tell thee what thou shalt do.” Upon Naomi’s teaching, Ruth, in faith, prepared her body, spirit, and soul to meet with Boaz. She came without reservation to him. 

How was Naomi able to know these things? Her statement gives clear evidence that, just as God had made sure that she knew, though still in Moab, that the Eternal Baker was providing bread again in Bethlehem-judah, He would make sure she knew how to persuade Ruth that Boaz would know what to do and say. Boaz, if you recall, had been fully shown Ruth’s situation (2:11). Now we see Naomi was fully persuaded that Boaz would have a response for Ruth (3:4). 

Boaz held the answer to the largest question in Ruth’s heart: “Will you redeem me and the name of my husband Mahlon and his father Elimelech?” Naomi’s training had given Ruth the guidelines for her preparation; now, she gave Ruth the guarantee that Boaz would give her the answer to the question of her heart. 

Naomi’s promise to Ruth is a wonderful comfort to every child of God. Every believer can come to our Eternal Boaz and mark the space where He lies in prayer; and, by asking, we can uncover His feet and we will find He will tell us what to do. We can see the image of her promise in the writing of the New Testament writer James, though with different words: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).

Reader, do you struggle with what to do about a situation in your life? Ask our Eternal Boaz; He will tell you what you should do!

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Portraits at the Cross

by John O’Malley

“And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do” (Ruth 3:4).

Ruth listened as Naomi instructed her precisely as to what she should do. Naomi’s directives to Ruth detailed to her need for cleansing, consecration, concealing herself, and now coming to his presence to present her petition. 

In this verse, we have meditated on three areas. First, we considered her entrance to the threshing floor. Then, we thought on her drawing near to him. Most recently, we pondered the uncovering of his feet. Now the last item of her instruction is very simple; all she is to do is to lie down at his feet. 

Her lying down was not at his side, but, rather, at his feet. You may recall we considered earlier, when she uncovered his feet, that it was to prepare a place for her to lie down. A careful look would let you see a cross by the placement of her body to his body. Although Boaz sought rest that night from his labors, Ruth sought redemption for her life. 

What better place than a cross to find rest and redemption? Ruth had been drawn by the grace of Boaz and had been driven to him from within by her love for him. Her placing herself at his feet reveals her implicit trust in him and her submission to his heart. 

The completion of this deed reveals a beautiful portrait with many images to consider. The first image portrays her submission to the lordship of Boaz: whatever he chose she could accept. We would do well if we considered how well we are in submission to our Eternal Boaz’s lordship. 

Another image in this portrait displays Ruth’s surrender to the love of Boaz. She trusted Boaz. She knew in his presence no harm nor ill could come to her from him or any outside force. His love for her and her love for him created a wonderful shelter from any adversity. 

A third image in this portrait of the cross occurred at the threshing floor outside of Bethlehem-judah. It is of Ruth’s satisfaction in the liberty of Boaz. She came seeking redemption and would find satisfaction in his provision and promises. Her subjection to him did not enslave her to him, but rather gave her liberty she never knew.

Similarly, our Eternal Boaz, on the cross outside of Jerusalem, provided love, liberty, and lordship to those who in faith come to Him. The images of this portrait of His cross should never be far from our daily thinking and living. When last did you pause in the art gallery of His divine goodness and meditate on the portrait of the cross and the images it displays?

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Uncovering His Feet

by John O’Malley

“And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do” (Ruth 3:4).

The instructions from Naomi to Ruth in the minds of twenty-first century readers may seem a bit unusual. She was told, after her waiting until Boaz had finished eating, drinking, and lying down, she would go into that area and “uncover his feet.” This simple action would be significant in that setting. Keep in mind that this action was completely pure, and nothing about it was illicit.  

Secular historians indicate that such action was taken by a wife to her lawful husband. Such action would display her subjection and modesty. The position she would take was rather a unique one as she was uncovering the place she would lay down. She would lay at his feet, perpendicular to Boaz. 

Ruth’s heart, decorated with purity and humility, now takes overt action in her desire to be redeemed by this kinsman. Her directive from Naomi was simple: she would make a place to lie down at his feet. The covering over Boaz as he slept offered a bit of warmth from the gentle breezes. When she removed this covering, it would be a method to wake him and offer opportunity for him to make a decision concerning redeeming Ruth as a kinsman.

Her action of uncovering the feet of Boaz indicated that she had a need only Boaz could fill, and she desired that he would fill it. Her uncovering would be easily likened to a child of God going to Him in prayer with a heart decorated with humility and purity—the uncovering of our Eternal Boaz’s feet in presenting to Him our petitions and discovering God’s power and seeing the surety of His promises. 

Reader, when last have you sought out our Eternal Boaz in prayer and uncovered His feet? How long ago was it when you last placed yourself before Him in subjection to His Lordship over your life? When last have you come to Him and placed yourself at His feet to accept His will for you? Today, take a moment to uncover the feet of our Eternal Boaz, and present yourself to Him. 

Many have come to the Eternal Boaz and sought His redemption as their kinsman. Have you? None has ever been refused. 

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Purity and Humility

by John O’Malley

“And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do” (Ruth 3:4).

Naomi finally reached the part that Ruth longed to hear. Naomi knew that Ruth’s eagerness, cultivated by waiting, must be tempered by her instruction. Finally, after all the preparation at home and the wait for the right moment, she heard the instruction that was sure to settle deep in her heart: “Thou shalt go in.” These four words gave her the license, at the right timing, to enter into the presence of Boaz.

She would enter surreptitiously while Boaz slept. His work ethic gave him the right to a good night’s rest. Certainly, sleep would come without effort. Perhaps, had he known that what would unfold would be beyond the horizon of his imagination, sleep may have remained out of reach. Waiting in the shadows this evening for him was a young maiden from his field who desired to be redeemed by this gentle man with a heart of gold. 

She would enter without pageantry, nor would she make a seductive entrance. She would enter with purity in her mind and humility in her heart. She could not have fellowship with Boaz if she physically remained outside the threshing floor or even if she never left Naomi’s house. She had to enter into his presence to place her petition in his hearing.

The child of the Lord of the harvest would do well to remember that entrance into His presence should be marked with the same characteristics as Ruth's entrance. She came with purity in her mind and humility in her heart. Yes, the New Testament writer of Hebrews instructed believers to come boldly to His throne; this is a matter of access, not necessarily of asking. We should never feel that entering into His presence should be skipped because He might be too busy. Rather, we should with boldness come to the place of asking. Yet, as Ruth, we should be clothed with the garments of purity and humility in our asking.  

Ruth teaches believers the right way to approach Boaz. She came with boldness in her steps to the threshing floor and entered his presence with humility and purity.

How do you come to our Eternal Boaz? Has timidity or boldness marked your access to Him? When you arrive, does purity and humility drape your heart?

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Seeing in the Dark

by John O’Malley

“And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do” (Ruth 3:4).

Arranging a meeting between two hearts that had met at the divine intersection of God’s will and human attraction brought Naomi the filling of joy that Moab had drained from her life. Certainly, Naomi’s age had not removed her from the delights of seeking the happiness between two hearts that pined for each other. Each instruction of Naomi led Ruth closer to the moment where she would present herself to Boaz for fellowship and kinsman-redemption. 

Nothing else would exceed Ruth’s desire to come to Boaz and seek redemption of her family’s name. Mahlon (Ruth’s husband) and Elimelech, though deceased, would find redemption for their names if Boaz would accept Ruth. Before any of this could happen, Ruth had to prepare to meet him. She then had to pause to present herself to him. 

Ruth could not do this all at once. She needed to wait until Boaz had nourished himself and had lain down for the night. He would be tired from his labors and would enjoy his rest. The meal being completed, he would seek a comfortable spot on the threshing floor to rest for the next day’s activities. Scripture indicates for us that Boaz had no idea of Naomi's planning and Ruth’s presentation. Ruth was there, waiting to ask the biggest request of her life. This night would long be remembered by both of them. 

Naomi told her to wait, watch, and remember the spot in her mind so she could present herself. Watching him from her concealed position taught her about his mannerisms and movements. She had seen him in the environment of the harvest, where she learned his movements and saw his activities. Now, in this different setting, she watched him satisfy his hunger and wondered if he would be satisfied with her heart. When he settled down for the night, she was to mark the place, so when the lights were gone out, she could get to that place and present herself to him.

This simple thought of marking the place for when it got dark ought to stir the heart of every harvest worker. Occasionally, the light surrounding a situation in which we work may become dimmed or obscured. We may even reach a place of darkness in the work we conduct for our Eternal Boaz. We would do well to spend time with Him while it is light so that, when it gets dark, we can find Him and fellowship with Him. Mark His place today; you may need to find Him when this day gets dark.  

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Preparation, Then Presentation

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.

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Her Destination

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).

This evening would be unlike any other previously experienced in their lives. Boaz and Ruth had been in contact with each other daily throughout the harvest. She had eaten meals with Boaz. She had sipped refreshments from his vessels. She had eaten morsels prepared in his kitchen. Their casual, daily contact was always in the context of the harvesting. Yet this contact would not be like any of their previous encounters. This evening’s contact was a planned meeting to bring Ruth’s tender and innocent heart to the righteous lord of the harvest for his consideration for kinsman-redemption. 

Naomi’s instructions gave Ruth the precise directions to prepare herself to approach Boaz and to enter his fellowship. The next steps involved directions on how to arrive and present herself to this treasure of God’s grace. Her words are unmistakably clear: “Get thee down to the floor.” Two ideas present themselves in this phrase of instruction to Ruth. The first idea is the reference of going down to the floor. They were in the city of Bethlehem, which resides on the summit of a hill; hence the need to go “down” to Boaz. The other indication in Naomi’s instructions was to go to the floor. Generally, one community would have a floor where its residents could bring their harvest and winnow out the chaff to reveal the grains. 

Ruth had worked in the harvest long enough to know its location and purpose. She could have passed it each day on the way to the fields. She would have seen it in the process of gathering the handfuls of purpose left for her. No harvest would be complete without a visit to the threshingfloor. Boaz would be there, as this was the evening he would be finishing his inspection and protection of his harvest. 

Ruth’s arrival at the threshing floor would come after she finished some winnowing of her own. You see, Ruth’s preparation to fellowship with Boaz involved a winnowing process. Her cleansing, anointing, and dressing were the removing of the chaff of hopelessness to reveal grains of hope. She winnowed from her heart the hopelessness of widowhood, loneliness, and disappointment. The grain left on the threshing floor of her heart was the hope of redemption and companionship. 

There could be no presentation of Ruth for kinsman-redemption unless she would leave home and get to him. There could be no appreciation of Ruth’s effort to present herself to Boaz unless she got there to the floor. There would be no birth of the Messiah without this presentation of a winnowed heart.

Reader, this exciting portion of Scripture brings many thoughts to mind. In your heart today, do you need to do some winnowing of your own? Has the chaff of daily living clouded the grains of promise and hope? Why not today, through prayer of confession and praise to our Eternal Boaz, winnow from your heart the chaff? 

Furthermore, there is coming a day at the threshing floor of our Eternal Boaz. It is the Bema Seat Judgment where He will separate from us the chaff of wood, hay, and stubble to reveal gold, silver, and precious stones. Let us commit to being prepared for this threshing floor.

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Her Raiment

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’s heart felt reassured as Naomi continued her instruction. Each step in her instructions was to prepare her for fellowship with Boaz. First, Naomi spoke of a cleansing, then a consecration, and now she spoke of a covering for the body. Each step held its own significance as Ruth readied herself for Boaz.

Ruth’s raiment before moving to Bethlehem-judah was that of a Moabite; her birthplace influenced her dress. When Elimelech and his family moved to Moab, she had the raiment of her father’s house. She dressed in traditional Middle Eastern garments; however, with the look of a Moabite. Her widowhood would have influenced her choice in raiment. Her dwelling in the land of Jehovah would have brought a change in the look of her clothing as a widowed Israelite. 

Ruth now was being instructed to put on her raiment for fellowship with Boaz. She was not putting on the raiment of a Moabite. Nor was she adding the garments of a mourning widow. Rather, she clothed herself with the attire of a woman presenting herself for redemption by a kinsman. 

She chose the garment carefully. She would want the articles of clothing to attract him to nothing else but “the hidden man of the heart” (1 Peter 3:3-4). Her cleansed, anointed body was to be draped in raiment that would be pleasing to both the lord of the harvest and the Lord of her heart.

The instructions Ruth received from Naomi indicated the raiment was in her possession. She did not have to go buy it or borrow it; she had it. Furthermore, the instructions reveal it was her personal responsibility to get dressed to go fellowship with Boaz. Ruth wanted to do what was right and to do it in the right way. What good would it have done to have bathed and anointed herself, but then to have dressed in a manner displeasing to the lord of the harvest?

 Reader, there is a resemblance between Naomi’s instructions and James’ instructions to believers. Consider James 4:8; here, James gives direct commands about fellowshipping with our Eternal Boaz. He says that cleansing and purifying are the vital parts of drawing near to God. As it was Ruth’s choice whether she would choose to put on the garment of presentation of her heart, we too must make a choice as to what we will put on in our fellowship with Him. 

 With the cleansing and consecration done, let us cover ourselves with the garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3) for sweet fellowship with our Eternal Boaz. As a believer, you already have the garment of righteousness; let us retrieve the garment of rejoicing that follows cleansing and consecration, and adorn ourselves and present ourselves to Him today for fellowship.

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Her Anointing

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).

Naomi’s five-part explanation to Ruth on preparing herself to fellowship with Boaz resumes with this next phrase: “and anoint thee.” With Ruth’s body cleansed from the dust of her environment, Naomi instructs her to anoint herself. It would have been useless for Ruth to attempt to go straight to the anointing without washing. The washing was needed to make the second step for fellowship with Boaz truly worth the effort. 

The anointing Naomi mentions is the applying of oil, oftentimes scented, to the skin. The oil would serve as a lotion and a protector to the skin. The fragrance would be added for the pleasure of the one in the presence of the anointed. The anointing, coupled with the cleansing, would set that person apart from those who had not done the same. People in Ruth’s day would do this to prepare for worship (2 Samuel 12:20). Others did so to meet a king (2 Samuel 2:4).However, Ruth would be doing this to meet the one who would become her kinsman-redeemer. 

The instructions for Ruth were clear; Naomi could not do this for Ruth. The responsibility of preparing belonged to Ruth. Ruth could receive the instructions for fellowship, but, unless she followed them personally, the best fellowship would not occur. It was Ruth who would need to wash off the dirt. It would be Ruth who would need to wipe on the fragrant oil to delight Boaz. There were no shortcuts for fellowshipping with Boaz. 

Anointing was critical for Ruth's preparation. It set her apart from others in the field of his harvest. It also set her apart to the field of his heart. Yes, there would be others that night who may have anointed themselves that evening for other purposes, but Ruth’s anointing was for one purpose: she wanted Boaz to find her acceptable in their fellowship.

Ruth’s desire to prepare to meet Boaz is worthy of consideration for those who are in the family of God. It should be the chief delight of the child of God to make similar preparations for our fellowship with our Eternal Boaz. Once the washing of confession is done, let us seek to anoint ourselves with the fragrances most pleasing to our Eternal Boaz. The things that make us fragrant to our Eternal Boaz are our praises (Hebrews 13:15), our giving (Hebrews 13:16), our prayers (2 Thessalonians 1:11), and our faith in Him (Hebrews 11:6).

 How is your fellowship with the Eternal Boaz? Are the fragrances most appealing to Him adorning your life?

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Therefore

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).

Naomi, who wore the crown of wisdom that comes solely from length of days, shared with Ruth the summary of God’s goodness in one word: “therefore.” This is the first time in this book the word is used, and thus it should be worthy of mention in its placement and to its purpose. This word generally points to a rehearsal of the facts, emotions, and ideas just presented. It leads its listener to a decision. 

Naomi’s message was intended to lead Ruth to a place of decision. She wanted Ruth to see it was the right time to take the next step on God’s path of provision. It was God’s hand that made this plain path for Ruth to follow. The path that left Moab led straight to the heart of Boaz. Neither woman knew it at the time, but Naomi, one who knew what it was to have God’s fullest blessing, now spoke words to help Ruth make a decision. 

Naomi’s “therefore” in the midst of her instructions to Ruth showed her that, since these facts existed, and since God’s hand had led her thus far, it was time to take the next step. Ruth had stepped out of Moab and into becoming a maiden. Now it was time for Ruth to step from being a maiden into being a mother in the line of the Messiah.

Naomi’s “therefore” in verse three rehearses Ruth’s promise (3:1). Naomi’s question, “Shall I not seek rest for thee?” was to remind Ruth of the reward of her promise. Ruth’s promise, made to Naomi on Naomi’s pilgrimage of hope, now has found its reward. 

Naomi’s “therefore” in verse three reviews Ruth’s position (3:2). Boaz was a kinsman to Naomi. This familial relationship provided to Ruth an occupation and an opportunity to restore her husband’s name. Ruth had worked in Boaz’s field; this familiarity gave them an awareness of the sovereign hand of God in their lives. 

 Naomi’s “therefore” in verse three reminds Ruth of his proximity (3:2). Boaz was working that night in the threshing floor. He was working with the very grains of the harvest with which Ruth had worked. His heart was focused on the winnowing, and her heart was focused on the winnower. 

 Naomi knew this was the time for this determined heart to find delight again. Because God had led Ruth to this place,“therefore” it was time for her to prepare to present herself to Boaz. My reading Friend, we too should take Naomi’s “therefore” to Ruth, and rehearse the goodness of our Eternal Boaz and prepare to meet Him.

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Her Cleansing

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).

Five instructions were given to Ruth by Naomi that would enhance her fellowship with Boaz. Naomi knew what was both culturally and physically appropriate for Ruth to do. Naomi recognized that Boaz’s work would be completed at night and that he would remain at the threshing floor to protect his harvest. She knew how to touch the heart of a man, and gave instruction to Ruth accordingly.

She said to Ruth, “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.” No longer did the dust of Moab cling to the heart of this widowed girl; rather, it was the dust of daily living that clung to her. She had been in the presence of Boaz many times as a worker. They had shared conversation and meals in the heat of the day. However, this proposed meeting was not to discuss the matters of the harvest, but matters of the heart. 

The washing in this verse is not ceremonial but rather the normal daily kind. However, the motive behind the cleansing is what is worthy of attention. She was not cleansing herself for the work of the harvest, but for the lord of the harvest. Her motives were, “I want nothing clinging on me but my desire to please him.” She was not attempting to please him with her productivity in the harvest, but rather to please him with her purity of heart. 

The purpose of her cleansing was to be pleasing to his heart. The process of her cleansing was to remove that which would distract him from her heart. She had no need to cleanse away Moab, since Jehovah had seen to that upon her profession of faith. This cleansing was to take away the dirt from daily living so her communication with Boaz would not be hindered by the soil of the day.

Friend, the connection between cleansing and communication in our relationship with the Lord is glaringly apparent. Remember, there is the cleansing by faith in the finished work of Christ that cleanses the soul; that is a unique cleansing of the life. However, there is a need for the daily cleansing of the heart; that is a daily cleansing needed for daily living. Proper cleansing is needed for my communication with the Lord of both the harvest and my heart. When my heart is cleansed, our fellowship is enjoyed the most. How sweet is your fellowship with Him? Is it time for some heart cleansing?

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No Chaff in His Harvest

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).

Boaz was known for many things in his community. He was a businessman, an employer, a man of prestige, and a man of the harvest. His investment in the harvest was great; he may have hired others to take part in the harvest, but when it came to winnowing, he would do that himself. 

You may recall winnowing was the process of taking out the chaff, the unwanted elements, from the grain. His investment in the grain was clear. He knew what chaff was and what grain was. He knew how he wanted it handled. He trusted none other than himself with this task of separating out the good from the bad.

West winds would carry a steady, gentle sea breeze suitable for this task. If he waited for east winds, they would come in gusts. The north wind would be too strong. He waited for the night hours to do his work of winnowing. The chaff would not survive the process of heaving the grain in the air. The steady west wind would gently blow away that which looked like the harvest but was not really the harvest. When Boaz's crops went to the marketplace, people knew they could expect a pure grain. Boaz was in charge of the quality control; no grain would be lost, and no chaff would make it to market. 

Our Eternal Boaz does the same in His work with us. He knows who is part of His harvest. He also knows who is chaff. He sees chaff in our lives, brings us to the threshing floor in the night hours of our lives, and allows a steady breeze to winnow out of us what He does not desire. We are His harvest, and He is in control of our outcome. It is amazing how much chaff clings to us and how He desires to have a pure harvest.

You will not successfully resist His winnowing process; He will be successful in winnowing you. Perhaps today you are struggling with His winnowing. Trust Him; He knows you, He knows the breeze you need, and He knows the best hour of the day for your winnowing. When the chaff is gone, you are most valuable to Him for His work.

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Knowledge of Boaz

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). 

Chapter three of this inspired journal of God’s preservation of the Messianic line of Christ details for us Naomi’s pursuit of seeking rest for Ruth. Naomi saw Ruth as the wife of her deceased son, her traveling companion, and her sole convert from her sojourn in Moab. Ruth had unknowingly endeared herself to Naomi. The women of the community even recognized Ruth’s worth as they reminded Naomi that Ruth was worth more to her than seven sons (4:15).

Ruth’s commitment to fulfill a promise made in the desert reaped far more than she could have ever dreamed. She committed that day to be true to the heart of her mother-in-law, to the home of Israel, and to the hope of Israel. God honored and rewarded Ruth’s commitment; He gave Naomi a dispensation to look beyond her grief and become an instrument of His grace to bless Ruth’s life. Naomi’s mission was clear; she was to seek rest for Ruth. 

 She set out to fulfill this divine mission by taking knowledge of the activities of Boaz. Since the harvest was nearing completion, neighbors would be taking their turns at the community threshing floor. A threshing floor was a place where winnowing could take place. Winnowing was the process of taking out the chaff, the unwanted elements, from the grain. In the evening, the winds from the west would carry a steady, gentle sea breeze suitable for this task. 

Naomi, aware of the winnowing schedule, Boaz’s activities, and the provision in the law of God for marital arrangement, began to fulfill her mission. Her mission would not be difficult since Ruth had already found Boaz’s heart to be a comfortable place. Ruth listened as Naomi spoke, “Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.” 

Naomi knew the heart of Boaz; it was the harvest. He would winnow tonight; it would be the opportune time to arrange the meeting of kinsman-redeemer and the one who needed redemption. There was nothing illicit in this meeting; it would simply be a meeting to present herself for redemption. Her arrival, no matter the hour, would be welcomed. 

What about you today? Have you presented yourself to our Eternal Boaz for redemption? He desires all men to come to Him for redemption. He will cast out no one who comes. Perhaps you know personally of the redemption of Boaz, yet would He say you share His heart for the harvest?

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A Maiden’s Fellowship

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?

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Of Our Kindred

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).

The very phrase “of our kindred” evokes a myriad of images, each portraying the sovereign hand of God. The significance of its placement in scripture must not be overlooked. From the first day Ruth came to the fields to seek an earthly benefactor, her eternal benefactor was at work in earlier generations to provide that benefactor. 

The first glimpse of God working to provide Ruth a benefactor should be made in the Garden of Eden. Here, in a scene where sin had entered into the world accompanied by his fateful companion of death, God began to provide Ruth a benefactor. Man’s sin had brought both a penalty and a promise from God. The penalty was separation from God, yet the promise was salvation. The penalty brought death, yet the promise was of a Deliverer. The penalty affected Satan, yet the promise brought God’s Son. The penalty left mankind in a mess, yet the promise brought the Messiah. This one scene established that the Messiah would come from God into the family of man.

Another scene on which you should reflect to see how God provided Ruth’s benefactor is when God gave the law to Moses. His law established that a widow from a marriage without fruit would have a way to keep her husband’s name alive. God made it clear not to let a family’s name be extinguished in Israel. 

The effect of this law would allow a widow without an heir to her spouse’s name to marry her husband’s brother to keep his family name alive. In God’s law, this is called the Levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-6). When God established this law, it made it possible for Ruth’s kindred to redeem her husband’s and father-in-law’s names. This restoration provided Ruth an earthly benefactor in Boaz, and the family of man an eternal benefactor in Jesus Christ. The Levirate marriage of Ruth and Boaz restored the line of the Messiah broken by Elimelech’s disobedience.

A third scene in your consideration of God’s provision of a benefactor for Ruth should focus on the days of Moses and Joshua. God allowed Moses to send two faithful spies into the Promised Land. These spies met a woman named Rahab. She received the spies with gladness and became a recipient of God’s grace in His judgment on Jericho. She would later marry a man named Salmon and give birth to Ruth’s benefactor (Matthew 1:5). 

God’s hand in providing a benefactor for Ruth and Naomi is seen clearly in Naomi’s words to Ruth: “Is not Boaz of our kindred?” Today, Ruth and Naomi had hope because of God’s promise in the garden, His provision in the law, and His protection in the Promised Land. Each of these shielded the family line for a Kinsman Redeemer to provide redemption for the family of Elimelech and the families of earth.

Friend, the hand of God, which has worked from eternity past, is working today in your life. Whatever may look bleak and beyond hope, take into account His commitment to you and to His Word. Take time today to consider gratefully His promises, His provisions, and His protection of you as you walk through the seemingly isolated events of a day. God used yesterday to prepare today’s blessing for you. 

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Seeking Rest for a Friend

by John O’Malley

“Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?” (Ruth 3:1).

A deposit of hope is made in the heart of the hopeless when you consider Naomi’s words. Naomi has assumed spiritual, financial, and familial responsibility for Ruth. It would have been very easy for Naomi to ignore the needs of Ruth’s heart. Naomi could have spent her days nursing the painful past of yesterday. She had come home with tales of departures, death, and disappointments. These events and memories could have become the shackles that kept her in the prison of her mistakes. Yet it was the goodness of God that carried her from the prison of sorrows to the place of supply. 

Naomi learned a lesson after more than ten years in her Moab: she must not spend her days wishing she could make a new start . Instead, Naomi sought to make a brand new end. Instead of seeking her own pampering in pouting, she turned her heart toward God, and He changed her misery into a ministry. Naomi’s words lend us insight into her forgiven and healed heart. With conviction, she confesses that she desires rest and reward for Ruth. 

What if you learned to do the same thing? Align yourself again with God’s will and Word; take the keys of His grace and goodness and unlock your shackles of misery and mistakes. Now, set your heart on Him. Find someone in your spiritual charge that you can take with you, and bring him or her past the place where you entered your prison of hopelessness. Seek to bring them rest and reward as you minister to them.

Far too often, many disobedient believers end up serving themselves as they wallow in self-pity and sorrow. It is the obedient believer that desires to serve others. Naomi found comfort in serving Ruth by seeking her reward and rest for her. When will you begin to do the same? How long will you choose serving self? 

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Everything Beautiful in His Time

by John O’Malley

“Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?”(Ruth 3:1).

Now, with Naomi home, it was easy for her to remember the joys she and her dearly departed Elimelech had known in this the land of their birth and the home of their youth. Days of happiness in courtship and as a couple were all about her. She could walk through the town and see places where she and her husband had spent time walking together and wondering what all of their tomorrows held. Dreams of growing old in the land of their fathers certainly had to be their destiny. Their faith in the Almighty had always been enough to sustain them until the famine came. Elimelech’s decision to go away from all they ever knew had come to bear a bitter fruit. 

She had eaten of the fruit from that detour in her life. She knew its bitterness. With that fruit gone and the bitterness slowly ebbing, a new fruit sprang up on the tree of her life. This fruit would be a way for her to enjoy the blessings of love again in her home. The joy of love once known in this home and heart must now be reawakened in her daughter by adoption. Naomi knew the joys of love must be rekindled in Ruth’s heart. 

Ruth’s devotion to Boaz’s harvest and heart started the matchmaking wheels turning in Naomi’s heart. Naomi wanted to help Ruth discover the hope for their tomorrow; this is revealed in her first words to Ruth. She began, “My daughter.” Her use of the words “my daughter” reveal that Naomi saw hope breaking across the horizon of a new day as her husband’s name might be redeemed and restored in Boaz. 

Naomi has called her “my daughter,” now for the third time. She called her “my daughter,” when Ruth took a journey of hope to seek grace in the eyes of an unknown benefactor (2:2). The second time Naomi called Ruth “my daughter” took place when she counseled Ruth about her faithfulness to Boaz’s harvest (2:22). Yet this occasion of calling Ruth “my daughter” reveals Naomi’s desire to bring the hearts of Ruth and Boaz together. 

What a thought! Only in the economy of God could delight replace disappointment and death. It is with God alone that one could find serenity after sorrow. The plan of God can write a chapter of marriage plans that make the previous chapter of Mara’s pain to be forgotten. The great-great-great-great-grandson of Naomi would hold God’s pen and summarize a moment like this as he wrote, “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Today’s misery can be tomorrow’s merriment with surrender to God’s Word and will. He does make all things beautiful in His time. Surrender today to His will and enjoy the fruits of obedience in the days ahead.

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A Promise Remembered

by John O’Malley

“Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter” (Ruth 3:1).

Naomi had not forgotten the words of Ruth, spoken to her on the border between hope and hopelessness. Ruth’s commitment to the heart of Naomi had brought an unmistakable bond between them. This bond went beyond family; it was a joining together of faith. 

 Naomi would not soon forget that this Moabitish girl had promised against hope to stay with her until death separated them. Ruth’s promise to stay had come when there was no barley harvest, no Boaz, and no promise of a better day. Now, with the barley harvest past, and with Boaz on the horizon, Naomi found that the Almighty had begun to fill the cup of joy in her heart again. Naomi’s words from days gone by seemed hollow in light of Boaz’s compassion and Ruth’s commitment to his harvest and to his heart.

As the mutual interest and affection between Boaz and Ruth kindled, Naomi found hope breaking across the horizon of her heart as she pondered the goodness of Jehovah. Later, her own great-great-grandson would write many times in the book of Psalms, “The Lord is good.” Truly, the goodness of God stirred her heart. Naomi began to see and know that the Almighty had sought to bring her back to Himself. What she had formerly defined as bitter treatment by the Almighty now was becoming clear; it was not bitter treatment at all. 

 The consolation in the opening statement of this chapter should make you contemplate your own situation. God sought Naomi’s best by bringing her home to redeem their family’s name and to restore the line of Christ. He had remembered His promise to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; His promise to them extended to her, and now to Ruth. Ruth’s promise to Naomi reminded her that God had been so very good to them. Now, as the goodness of God began to shadow yesterday’s bitterness, Naomi sought to become Ruth’s mother, matchmaker, and mentor of the faith.  

Naomi, with greater ease than a few months before, was able to remember Ruth’s promise. The Lord does arrange the course of our lives to bring about many events; these events are meant to bring Him into better focus. 

What do you do when faced with circumstances far greater than yourself? Do you focus more quickly on the problems of the day or on the promises of the Divine? Oh, that we were quick to remember His promises!

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A Promise Kept

by John O’Malley

“So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law” (Ruth 2:23). 

There is something special about a promise made between two people. It is more than the words of commitment; it is the bond that comes between the one promised and the one who made the promise.Ruth had made a distinct promise to Naomi her mother-in-law. Many things had changed in Ruth’s life since she had made the promise to Naomi; yet none of these changes dissuaded her promise.

Just one chapter earlier, Ruth made six promises to Naomi: “for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me”  (Ruth 1:16-17). 

She made a promise of following: Naomi would have Ruth wherever she would go. She gave a promise of fellowship: anywhere Naomi would live, she would live with her. Ruth made a promise of family: Ruth was replacing her people with Naomi’s people. She determined that God’s people would be her people. Ruth made a promise of faith: Naomi’s God would now be her God. Ruth gave a promise of finishing: Ruth would stay until death, and then follow Naomi in death. Lastly, Ruth made a promise of a funeral: she would not be seeking to be buried by her husband or people of her birth in Moab; she committed to a funeral that would bury her in Israel. 

 Many believers today err in their commitments to the Lord. Many have never offered the Lord the promises Ruth offered Naomi. Have you promised to follow, fellowship, and replace your family with His family? Have you promised to live by faith? Have you promised to finish the row in His harvest He has assigned to you? Have you promised faithfulness until death?

Reader, have you noticed the tendency to only make promises that are comfortable, convenient, and cost nothing? May God help you to keep all the promises you have made to Him.

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Committed to the Harvest

by John O’Malley

“So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law” (Ruth 2:23). 

Ruth's daily trips to Boaz’s fields began in the months of early spring and ended in the heat of summer. In Boaz’s fields she met and made friends with Boaz’s maidens. She found her place of employment to be not a burden, but rather a blessing. It was there she found friendship, fellowship, and financial provision. 

Ruth had a testimony of faithfulness before Naomi and those in Bethlehem-judah. Ruth arrived in town as a stranger, but Boaz's grace changed that status. She arrived in Bethlehem-judah with nothing, and then was given a position in his field, a purpose to fulfill, and provision for her family. Ruth knew that God had provided for her with her arrival at the beginning of the barley harvest. Ruth knew that this place and these people were God’s will for her life. It was His wings that took her there. It was His wings that provided her safety, security, and supply. 

Ruth’s testimony in Scripture states that she stayed for both the barley harvest and the wheat harvest. When the one harvest ended and the next harvest began, she kept fast to Boaz's maidens and gleaned until all the crops were harvested. The thought that should capture every former citizen of Moab is that Ruth’s position and provision in the fields of Boaz was not taken lightly. Ruth did not allow the good times to take her from her role and responsibility; rather, she remained committed to his maidens until the work was done.  

Ruth’s commitment to the harvest is needed still today. Every forgiven sinner must realize there is still more harvesting to be done. We cannot quit until the Lord of the harvest calls us in and declares the harvest over. Sadly, dear friend, you may have begun in one harvest and never moved to the next harvest. 

Is Ruth's testimony equal to yours? Are you committed to Him to stay until He calls you home? Why would you be content to work only in one harvest? Is He content with your level of activity in His harvest? Have you backed away from a previous level of commitment? If so, commitment to Him will ensure completion of His harvesting.

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