More Than Satisfied

Thursday, September 19th

More Than Satisfied

Ruth 2: 14-18

At mealtime Boaz said to her. "Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar."

When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, "Even if she gathers among the sheaves, don't embarrass her. Rather, pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her."

So Ruth gleaned in th field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah. She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gathered. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough.

What a beautiful passage and example of people with truly kind hearts that are acting accordingly. Out of Boaz's abundance he provided for the needy. Not only did he provide but he treated them no differently than his own family as he ate with these harvesters. In fact, he went above and beyond with his generosity and made sure Ruth would not go home with out the best barley and more than enough.

Warren Wiersbe, p. 38: "Boaz instructed his young men to protect her and the young women working with her. She was to walk with the female servants who followed immediately after the reapers. In other words, Ruth had first chance at the best of the gleanings! Boaz even instructed his workers to allow her to glean among the sheaves and told them to deliberately drop some of the harvest so she could pick it up. If she was hungry or thirsty, she could refresh herself with his workers. In fact, Boaz ate with her and personally handed her the food (Ruth 2:14).

What a picture we have here of the grace of God. The master became like the servants that he might show His love to a foreigner. Ruth had no idea that Boaz had commanded his workers to be generous to her, but she believed his word and found her needs were met.

Jesus Christ came to this earth as a servant...that He might save us and make us a part of His family. He shared with us the riches of His (mercy, love, grace, wisdom, knowledge,glory)...We , undeserving 'foreigners' are members of the family of God and have all of His inheritance at our disposal."...p. 40, "The Word of God and the Son of God can fully satisfy the heart of the believer. When we seek for satisfaction anywhere else, we will find ourselves disobedient and dissatisfied,"

Those are some powerful words from Mr. Wiersbe. I'm not going to add anything else other than asking you to ponder these thoughts . Compare the personal care and attention of Boaz toward Ruth with that of Christ towards us. Can you see the grace of God played out in human form? Also, think about the places we go seeking satisfaction . Are we finding what we need anywhere apart from Christ? This might be a good day to journal some thoughts about where and what we are seeking.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us such a clear picture of what true generosity and love looks like. I pray each one of us sees You in this passage lived out with Boaz and Ruth. Speak to us today on how we might change our responses to others to be more Christlike in our homes, places of work , and everyday life encounters. Let our words and actions express kindness and care for those who need it the most. Help us to be honest with ourselves when we are on that slippery slope of seeking elsewhere .Thank You for that grace You extend when we wake up and find ourselves dissatisfied and disobedient. When others see us, I pray they see a glimpse of You that sparks a desire in them to know You more. Amen