(Ruth 2:1-3)
God had visited His people in giving them bread (1:6). The blessing
was in the field, but it did not erase the influence of the famine
on the minds of the people.
"There are lush green fields in Ireland that no one will
plow, vacant lots on which no one will ever build, and stretches
of road where passers-by bless themselves and murmur a prayer.
Thousands lie buried in these places in unmarked graves, victims
of a famine that reduced Ireland's population by more than one-third.
In Skibbereen, during the winter of '47, the infant mortality
rate reached 50 percent. Whole families lay down in ditches to
breathe their last. More than a million people died of starvation
and fever and nearly two-million sought a better life in the New
World. Many of those leaving Ireland via the sea died in a watery
grave. While people were dying in the fields, eating grass and
boiled nettles, food was leaving Ireland for Britain under military
escort. A destitute family entering an overcrowded government
workhouse had to give up its cottage and all land above a half-acre
and wear prisonlike uniforms. For this they were given poorhouse
porridge and a place on the floor. The workhouse in Limerick was
built for 800, but was used to house more than 2,500 occupants.
Though the famine and the surrounding events happened 150 years
ago (1845-49), it still influences relations between Ireland and
Great Britain. "Revenge for Skibbereen" is a rebel cry
still heard at Irish Republican Army rallies. Mary Robinson, the
president of Ireland, has characterized the famine as "an
event which more than any others shaped us as a people. It defined
our will to survive and our sense of human vulnerability."[1]
THE PROVISION (1). God is provisionary, not reactionary.
He starts from the place of supply, not demand. The first verse
in Chapter Two declares God's provision, Boaz-"There was a
relative of Naomi's husband, a man of great wealth, of the family
of Elimelech. His name was Boaz" (2:1). We are told that Jesus
was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8).
Prior to Naomi's need, the Law declared that the poor, the widow,
and the stranger were to be allowed to reap the corners of the field
and to glean the harvested field for personal provisions. The provision
was there, but there was a problem.
THE PROBLEM. The narrative of chapter two implies that this
Law was not being obeyed. Influenced by their famine experience
the majority of the people were harvesting every inch of the fields
and nothing was being left for the poor, the widows, and the stranger.
First, this is suggested by the fact that Naomi didn't ask Ruth
to go, but was Ruth that asked permission from Naomi (v.1). Second,
it is implied in that Ruth hoped to find someone who would allow
her to glean their field (v.2), and asked permission to glean (v.7).
Third, it seems reasonable in light of the fact that Boaz commanded
the young men not to harm Ruth. Apparently, gleaning was dangerous
(v.9).
The surplus that belonged to the poor was being stored as insurance
against another famine. This meant that the affects of the famine
were still being felt by the poor, the widows, and the strangers.
In spite of visible evidence, Ruth sought to act on the Word of
God-"So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, 'Please let me go
to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight
I may find favor" (2:1).
TAKING POSSESSION. The provision was in the field, but it
had to be gathered. It took faith for Ruth, a Moabitess, to step
into hostile territory and claim God's provision. The text indicates
that she was the only gleaner following after the reapers (v.3).
It took faith for Ruth to break with social reluctance and reap
God's provisions.
Like the woman with the issue of blood, we must determine to press
past the barriers and obstacles that stand between God's provision
and us. Ruth had to overcome the famine mindset of Naomi, the fact
that she was a Moabitess, and the reluctance of the locals to comply
with the will of God.
The Israelites had to dispossess walled cities in order to possess
their inheritance. Jesus called the man at Bethesda to rise, take
up his bed, and walk. If we are going to realize God's provision,
then we must cease moaning about what we can't do and what we don't
have, and do what we can do and use what we do have.
God's provision is in the field and will become our possession
only as we dare to lay hold of it. The modern church often forfeits
God's provisions because it allows unbelief and disobedience to
determine what it will possess. The religionist says, it hasn't
happened, so it can't happen. If we allow the cessationists to determine
what God wills to do we will live in famine conditions during the
time of visitation. This is true of several NT provisions.
Healing. Jesus said that healing was the "children's bread"
(Mark 7:27).
Baptism in the Holy Ghost. The promise is unto all those that are
afar off (Acts 2:39).
Gifts of the Spirit.
We must let faith take hold of us and then take hold of the provisions
by faith. This involves persistent prayer.
TRUSTING PROVIDENCE. Ruth did what she could and left the
rest to God--"she left, and went and gleaned in the field after
the reapers" (v.3). In addition to this we are told that "she
happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz"
(v.3). World shaking events often hinge upon apparently insignificant
indicidents. The selling of a slaveboy (Joseph) to the Ishmaelites,
turns out to be the salvation of a nation and of the world. The
capture of an unnamed little Hebrew maid ends in the cleansing of
a leprous Naaman. Running into Rahab's house makes the difference
between life and death for her and for her guests.
As she did what she could she encountered the needed blessing and
the blesser.
THE POINT. God was visiting His people with bread, but what
good is bread if we aren't allowed to partake of it? Days of visitation
will be no better than days of famine if we do not get up and take
possession of God's provision. The songwriter declared, "every
promise in the book is mine; every chapter every verse every line."
This is true, but it only becomes a reality when someone dares to
take possession of God's provision.
(C)1999 by louis bartet, all rights reserved.
