The story of Ruth continues as she and her mother-in-law returned from the country of Moab to Bethlehem, Naomi’s homeland. Ruth’s main concern now was to provide for her mother-in-law and herself. With her mother-in-law’s permission, she went to the field of Boaz to glean heads of grain. Boaz was a relative of Naomi’s late husband, and he was a wealthy man. Gleaning was the Lord’s instruction to the Israelites to leave some un-harvested fields for the poor and the strangers (Lev.19:9-10, 23:22).
Poverty in spirit opens the door to heaven’s resources
Ruth was willing to do the hard work of gleaning and didn’t expect any special treatment from Boaz. She was willing to be treated as a poor person and a stranger. When Ruth came to Boaz’s field, she had no expectation except for the simple opportunity to glean in the field just like all the other poor people and strangers.
When people followed Jesus, the poor and the needy were much more appreciative of His ministry and teachings than the rich, or the so called spiritual ones. Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount said, ”Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
Jesus’ followers were happy to be fed by Him and get a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven. The religious people didn’t necessarily feel the need to be taught by Jesus; as a matter of fact, many times they criticized him for His statements. These indviduals saw themselves as kings in their little kingdoms. There was no need to search for the kingdom of heaven. They were more concerned about their position and their seat of honor, than being fed by the Savior and having an encounter with the King of heaven!
A settled identity is richness in the spirit
When Boaz noticed Ruth, his first question was, “Whose young woman is this?” (Ruth 2:5b). This is a powerful question. What is the first question we ask when we want to learn about someone? The questions may be, “Who is she?” or “What does she do?”, “Where did she come from?” but we don’t ask the question, ”Whose is she?” This is a question of identity. All of us have to have the question of our identity settled.
They told Boaz that she was the young Moabite woman who had come back with Naomi. Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women. Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.” (Ruth 2:8-9)
When we come to the Lord, the Lord gives us His identity and calls us His son or daughter. His desire is to protect us and provide for us just as Boaz did with Ruth. Boaz called Ruth his daughter and did what he could to protect and provide for her while she was on his field. He also told her not to go to another man’ s field.
When our identity is settled, we become secure in who we are in Christ. We don’t have to have a foot in His Kingdom and a foot in the world. We don’t need to be church hopping either. We have recognized the field that the Lord wants us to be established in and then we settle down.
Whose are you today? Can you boldly say you are His son or daughter? Have you found a church that you can call home?
Do you still have poverty of spirit to see the kingdom of heaven? Has the busyness of life or even ministry created its own little kingdom for you that you don’t think much about the kingdom of heaven?