Ruth 2

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter." (v. 2)

Ruth was industrious, and willing to support her elder mother-in-law. It takes work on our part to keep the work of the Lord going, laziness has no place in His kingdom. Ruth went out in the heat of the day, and worked all day long gleaning after the reapers, and bringing home enough food for her and Naomi. Her industriousness caught the eye of a rich man, the owner of the field whose name was Boaz. She found grace in his sight. God greatly endorses work. Much of Ruth's blessing began because she was not afraid of work. Naomi and Ruth did not have a welfare program, but they did have the option of becoming beggars! The choice to go to work to support the elder Naomi, was a wise choice for Ruth to make, and it turned out to be very beneficial. Notice Ruth's words in our text verse; "Let me now go to the field..." These were not beggars, but gleaned after the reapers. They were not chosen, or perhaps not qualified to reap the harvest, but they were to follow after and pick up what they could. The sun was hot for Ruth too; the day was long for her too; the work was tiresome for her too, but she stayed with it. If Ruth would not have made the decision to go to work, she never would have met Boaz. God has a plan, but we must first be obedient to His Word, then walk in His will when it is revealed to us, and we will see the plan He has for us, and it will be worth whatever sacrifices we must make. 

God's providence is seen in directing Ruth-she got God's attention with her diligence, as well as Boaz's. Notice her "hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech." (v. 3). She did not know that Boaz was related to Naomi's husband, but went where she would "find grace" with the reapers, (v. 2). Her "hap" was the will of God for her, and led to her name being written in the Book of life, and being grafted into the family of God.

--Marty Dunn

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