Crestwood Church Blog

Ruth told Naomi everything Boaz had done for her, and she added, "He gave me these six scoops of barley and said, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’"
Ruth 3:17

The book of Ruth is a wonderful story of a Moabite woman who finds a family redeemer in a rich Israelite farmer named Boaz. It is a story which starts with death but ends with life. Slowly Ruth learns faith, grace and hope through the sovereignty of God, which leads her to long for more than she could ever dream of.

From gleaning (then a way of leaving barley behind during the harvest to provide for widows and foreigners) in Boaz's fields, she collects the barley stalks left over by the harvesters, but learns that she can receive much more by knowing Boaz for herself.

With the ever increasing generosity of Boaz in the barley fields, she realises that Boaz's gifts aren't enough. With the help of her mother-in-Law Naomi, she sets out to win over Boaz's heart - what she really wants.

The whole book contains beautiful illustrations of the Lord Jesus and his church, redeeming her back to himself. The question we have to ask ourselves is: are we chasing after our redeemer only to get the gifts that he delights to give us, or like Ruth, do we just want him? By wanting just Boaz, she ended up with far more than she imagined.

I pray that you may long for more and by longing just for Jesus you find all your satisfaction in him.

Labels: Bible, Jesus, Ruth

posted by Andi - Sunday, 25 February 2007, 22:34
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