It is a glorious story of love, faith, and redemption that foreshadows Jesus. Ruth, a foreign widowed woman, moves to Bethlehem with her widowed mother-in-law Naomi. Unable to provide food for themselves, Ruth gathers leftover grain in one of the fields. Boaz, the owner of the field, eventually marries Ruth, and from their children comes the lineage of David, which is the line of Christ.
What a great picture! As I read through the book, two major points stuck out to me:
- Ruth is incredibly needy.
- Boaz is a gracious provider.
Of course, these aren't incredibly profound observations, but they meant a lot to me in light of my eating position.
I was Ruth.I bet everyone has felt like her at some point: incredibly needy. Maybe not with food, but somehow in great need. But it is a great comfort to see that just as Boaz steps in and provides for Ruth, Christ steps in and provides for me.
In some sense, I am always Ruth. Jesus will always be my redeemer in that way, and I am forever grateful.
Still, I couldn't help but notice one part of chapter three. It reads:
Boaz had done for her and added,
"He gave me these six measures of barley, saying,
'Don't go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'"
I wondered then,
"When am I Boaz?"
In relation to Christ, I am always Ruth, always the one in great need. But in relation to other people, sometimes I am in a position of neediness and other times I am in a position to provide.
Sometimes I have six measures of barley to give.
As I closed the final week of our experience eating sparsely (as Ruth), I realized I was about to re-enter a state of comparative wealthiness (as Boaz). There is nothing wrong with being Boaz, as long as I give to the Ruths around me. I can't let them go empty-handed.
When I am Ruth, I must be willing to accept giving. When I am Boaz, I must be willing to give.
My giving need not be great, but it must be willing. After all, it only really takes A Dollar to Remember.
