What does your schedule, your calendar, look like for the next six months? Do your plans always happen the way you originally planned? Mine don’t. God’s plans are far above your plans and mine. His purposes and plans have eternity in view.
Think about Ruth…she placed her faith in the living God of the Hebrews. He provided for her, He protected her…He used Boaz! God’s plans went far beyond this man and this woman … go to Matthew 1:5-6 and Luke 3:31-32. Boaz and Ruth are a part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ!
Ruth had planned on getting food for Naomi and herself. That was all that was on her mind that day when she unwittingly entered the grain fields of Boaz.
(NASB) Ruth 2:15-16 “When she rose to glean, Boaz commanded his servants, saying, “˜Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not insult her.
16 “˜Also you shall purposely pull out for her some grain from the bundles and leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.'”
***Ruth was a diligent worker and did not hang around after lunch but went right back to work in the hot sun.
You and I can follow Ruth’s example of being an excellent worker: be diligent in doing our jobs (whatever those are at this time in our lives); don’t abuse the needed break time or lunch breaks; work the full time that we are on the job; complete our jobs for the day.
How did Boaz protect Ruth in the fields? He commanded his servants not to insult her or rebuke her for taking the grain from the field. He made sure that his workers would leave grain for her to pick up and take as her own. Boaz provided food for Naomi and Ruth. Notice how Boaz was able to help Ruth without diminishing her sacrificial efforts toward Naomi. He could have given her the grain, but chose to honor the integrity of character she had shown.
(NASB) Ruth 2:17 “So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.”
***Ruth worked all day until evening, a long day of manual labor. God provided for Ruth and Naomi through Ruth’s industrious work ethic and Boaz’ insight for her protection and provision of grain.
Ruth gathered about 3/5 of a bushel of grain. This was an unusually large amount for one person in a day’s time. After she had gathered the stalks she would have then beat out the kernels of grain with a stick or club. God had provided in abundance for her needs, for Naomi’s needs, through the generosity and courtesy of Boaz.
How does the Lord provide for you? Has He put people in your life who give you protection and provision for your needs? Perhaps He is using you to provide for others care and protection? Your job is another example of God’s provision. His provision may come through the thoughtfulness of others when you cannot provide for yourself.
Consider God’s provision for you…Thank God…Give God the glory…
Complete your work of the day…and see the yield that has been provided!
