True Love–Illustrations in Ruth
Boaz said to her [Ruth] at mealtime, “Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back. And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.” Ruth 2:14-16
The true measure of a man is best taken by observing his dealings with those of lesser rank and opportunity. Let us observe the measure of Boaz and his further dealings with Ruth. When the morning’s work was complete and the time for a midday meal had come, Boaz invited Ruth to join his workers and partake of the food he provided them. Boaz did not need to do this. Landowners often provided food for their employees, but not for the independent gleaners collecting harvest leftovers. Boaz, however, personally invited Ruth to eat and apparently encouraged her not only to satisfy her own needs, but to take enough food to share with Naomi.
After the meal, Boaz issued an unusual two-fold command to his young harvesters. First, “let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her.” This violated standard protocol! Gleaners understood that they were never to go into the newly mown grain, where the harvesters were setting up sheaves. Second, the young men were instructed to “let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her,” and, once again, they were instructed: “Do not rebuke her!” This was highly unusual!
What explains these exceptions? They are best explained as the fruit of true love! We are not here talking about romantic love, although that eventually arose between Boaz and Ruth. We are rather talking about a true love that is generous and giving in its dealings with others!
O LORD God, please fill our hearts with a true love that is generous and giving in its dealings with others. May our love reflect Your own love for us, as revealed through the life and death of Jesus. Amen.