Ruth 2:14‭-‬16 AMPC “And at mealtime Boaz said to her, Come here and eat of the bread and dip your morsel in the sour wine [mixed with oil]. And she sat beside the reapers; and he passed her some parched grain, and she ate until she was satisfied and she had some left [for Naomi]. And when she got up to glean, Boaz ordered his young men, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. And let fall some handfuls for her on purpose and let them lie there for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.”‬

In the previous chapter we dug into Boaz’s thoughts about Ruth, and we were able to understand how much he admired this young lady for her courage, her loyalty and her love for her mother-in-law called Naomi. On that blessed day when the powerful Boaz met Ruth in his field for the first time, he could not contain his admiration for the character and virtue portrayed in this young widowed lady. But as for Ruth, all she wanted to be assured of was that she would be treated well by Boaz and his servants each time she would come to glean after the reapers. She needed to know that she could come freely and gather enough grain for herself and Naomi. She had pleaded with Boaz to be kind to her and she did not claim to have the right to be in his field and receive some of the privileges that his other maid servants could enjoy.

Naomi had just pleaded for kindness, goodness and favour and her wish was granted unto her. Now it was mealtime and all the workers had gathered together as usual to eat, rest and gain some strength before going for the next round of gleaning. Ruth felt a bit unsecure among these unknown faces and at first, she did not know if she should join the rest of the people including Boaz to have her meal. Naturally she had always been very discreet and reserved. She was not the type of woman to draw people’s attention on her and she preferred the comfort of the shadow. But at Boaz’s invitation she joined the rest of the group to eat and drink together. Ruth could not resist such a warm and reassuring invitation; so, she gladly agreed to sit down among the other workers, eat some food and relax a bit.

Boaz had been sensitive enough to understand that Ruth needed to feel welcome because even though she had become used to the Jewish people and their customs, she was still a stranger working in the midst of people that she didn’t know. Because of that she might have been reluctant to even stop gleaning for a short while to eat before proceeding with gleaning. But Boaz reassured her that she was perfectly secure among them. He wanted her to be at ease and to feel at home. She didn’t have to be afraid of anything and anybody. Moreover, she should not think that she was not worthy to be well treated just because she was different. He wanted her to understand that she deserved even a far better treatment for being such a sacrificial, loving and caring person. Boaz’s invitation was to commune and have fellowship with them. As she timidly sat there and started eating some of the bread that was served, she thanked the GOD of Naomi in the secret of her heart for leading and guiding her into that place.

Ruth could really feel welcome and secure sitting there with the other workers, Boaz maidservants and Boaz himself. And now that she was being offered something to eat and drink, but also a shelter to rest, she realized that she had every reason to be grateful. She was at peace. Not only was she satisfied with the food that they gave her, but mostly she was satisfied and happy with the way she was being treated: with respect and consideration. Boaz did his best to make sure that her heart was free from any anxiety due to the fact that she was a foreigner among the other people who had gathered to work in his field. She sat beside the reapers and felt accepted. An atmosphere of confidence and trust was created for her and she was able to relax.

The cosy atmosphere of trust and confidence that was created around the dining table allowed the workers to chat and know more about each other, and this was an occasion for Ruth and Boaz to get to know each other better by sharing their life experiences. The more she sat there, the more she felt confident and secure. A nice conversation started between Boaz and Ruth and she was able to tell him about her place of birth and her family that she had left in Moab. She remembered and mentioned her sister Orpah who had decided to go back to her gods and to the customs of her people. She told Boaz about the death of her husband Machlon and how Naomi had deeply suffered from the loss of her husband first, followed by the loss of her two sons. But in the midst of that sorrow, Ruth had discovered that there is a GOD who is the Father of creation and who loves His children. She had observed Naomi’s life and had discovered GOD’s unfathomable love through her.

Getting to know the true and only GOD of heaven and earth had opened Ruth’s eyes to understand that the customs that she had trusted since she was born had driven her away from HIS presence. Ever since she had experienced the kindness of ELOHIM, she had decided that no other god was worthy of adoration and nothing could be compared with HIS amazing love. Thus, she had decided to worship HIM and HIM alone, and she had to cling to Naomi to teach her the ways of this GOD who is full of grace, no matter the cost. That is why she had decided to give up the comfort and security of her homeland to follow her mother-in-law in Bethlehem. Boaz was amazed the more as he carefully listened to Ruth’s life’s story from her own mouth. He was so dazzled with admiration that he decided that she deserved even more favour. That is the reason why he gave orders to his servants to drop some sheaves on purpose just and leave them on the ground, just for Ruth and Naomi. She told her story with such an open heart that Boaz had to extend his favour by allowing her to get as much grain as she needed and would be able to carry home.

How many times do we feel that we don’t belong? How often have we been in situations where we felt that we are out of place? One way or the other, all of us have experienced some kind of rejection and insecurity. But the LORD Jesus is inviting you and I to commune with HIM, the KING of all kings. In such a time as this where the whole world is paralysed by fear, the LORD Jesus is calling even stronger: Come and dine with ME and you will find rest for your souls. If there is a place where we are perfectly secure and protected, it is under the shadow of the Almighty. HE has been calling HIS creatures that HE made after HIS own image to come and relax in HIS presence because HE is the Giver of all virtue, grace and everlasting favour. Now is the time to answer the call and find shelter in HIS loving arms. As we draw closer to JESUS HE will draw closer to us. As we fellowship with the MASTER He will feed us with the bread and wine from heaven and we will be protected from every danger.

JESUS is the true Bread of life. Whoever partakes of HIM will never go hungry again. HE is calling us to eat of HIM until we are satisfied. He is delighted when we are filled. He rejoices when our cups overflow with HIS virtues and blessings. He came so that we may have life and have it in abundance. He became a living sacrifice because His plan for us is to prosper in every way and be well. He is our only reliable assurance in life and in death. He became a curse in order for us to enjoy God's everlasting blessings. As we commune with JESUS, we will be set free from all anxiety and we will find rest for our souls. Ruth ate and had some left for Naomi. She kept something aside for her mother-in-law and she did not forget her. As we feed ourselves with the knowledge of GOD, let us share this treasure around us and allow the hungry to be filled by GOD. Let's feed others just as we have been fed. May our cups so much overflow that the nations can drink from us and be saved because of JESUS who is the only Saviour of mankind. md