Reading: Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this? Ruth 2:5

Ruth was an idolatrous Moabite, who by grace forsook her idols and trusted in the living God. She confessed the true God as her own God and had a strong desire to be among the Lord’s people.

She was willing to separate herself from the sins of the past, and, when the time came, she was ready to leave her own country and travel to Bethlehem. In Bethlehem Ruth revealed her readiness to work. As a widow she had the right to glean in the fields and such was her dedication that she continued in that work until the end of the barley harvest. Although Ruth was a stranger in Bethlehem, her work did not go unnoticed. In the providence of God she had chosen to work in a field belonging to Boaz. He was an exceptional character with exceptional graces and he revealed those to Ruth. He provided for her at meal times and protected her from any unwanted attention of the young men. He spoke peace to her and assured her of good success.

Boaz pictures Christ, who, as we seek to do some small service in our Christian lives, cares for us and watches over us. Like Boaz, Christ has covenanted to provide our every need. He is our exceeding great reward, our never-failing friend, and our compassionate Lord and Master. With Christ we cannot fail. He blesses us with daily blessings and cares for us with unfailing love. Ruth’s association with Boaz was cemented by a marriage union. The servant was one with the lord of the harvest. So it is with the Christian. We are not only workers for Christ, but workers with Christ. He has taken knowledge of us even though we had been strangers, and such is His grace that we are now one with Him. Let us continue to serve the One who continues to strengthen.

“Christ is the overseer of our souls; He protects and directs; He never takes His eye off us.” Robert Black

Taken from A Word in Season edited by Alan Cairns, 2010. Used by permission.