Ruth and Naomi had cleaned up the cottage and were trying to make it look and feel like home again. Ruth had gathered some straw to fill in the hole in the roof, climbed up and made the repairs. Naomi was amazed at how easy she made it look. Ruth was very energetic and it seemed she could do anything she set her mind to do. Naomi knew that God had been looking after her by sending this talented daughter-in-law back home with her.
As amazing as Ruth was though, they still had a very little amount of money. Everyday their food supply dwindled, though Ruth was always scouring the landscape for a new way to find food.
The good thing about being in Bethlehem again was that the town followed God's laws. Each farmer left the corners of his field for the poor to come and gather what they could from each crop. This is what saved Naomi and Ruth. The barley crop was ripe and Ruth could go to their nearest neighbor's land and gather barley from the corners of that field. It was the law of the land.
As Ruth set out to work in a nearby field, she prayed to God for protection. These fields for the poor had only a few women. Because they were obviously poor and had no one looking after them, the men gathering from the corners were often tempted to abuse the women who came there. The owners of the land were very busy looking after their harvests. They were not usually paying attention. Ruth felt a little uneasy stepping into the fields with so many strange, strong men, but she needed to do so.
God gave her courage. She began working and worked just as hard and fast as any of the men who were gleaning. She didn't stop to rest, except for a few minutes when she took a break inside one of the little shelters on the side of the field. A few sips of water, a few minutes in the shade and Ruth was right back to work. She had gathered lots of grain to grind for Naomi's table. The thought of Naomi's surprised face helped Ruth to keep moving and working as fast as possible.
As she finished for the day and prepared to walk home she noticed a man standing away from the harvesters looking at her. She wondered about his intentions, but kept gathering up her crops into neat little bundles which she would grind into grain. She knew she had at least an ephah of barley for making bread. It was quite an accomplishment for one day!
Ruth noticed the older man waving for two of his servants. They quickly came to his side. He spoke with them while looking out and pointing toward Ruth. The two shook their heads and headed her way.
She was shaking with fear when the men arrived at her side. They came directly to her, ignoring all the other people gleaning the corners of the fields.
"What is your name and where do you come from?" they asked Ruth.
She was afraid she would be told to leave, since she was from Moab. Yet; it was as if some new kind of strength came over Ruth. She was tired of apologizing for who she was. God had lead her here. They should not discount the works of their own God, whom Ruth had come to trust for her every need.
She stood tall and gazed directly back at the men. "I am Ruth, daughter-in-law of Naomi. We have just returned from Moab. Naomi's husband and my husband died while we were there and now I need to provide for my mother-in-law. I am told it is okay to glean the corners of these fields. If I have done wrong I am sorry, I will leave."
"Oh no! Do not leave. Our Master, Boaz is very impressed with your hard work and your strength. He wanted us to tell you that you are welcomed to come out of the corners of this field and glean alongside the women who are his own harvesters. The work will be easier, food and water will be furnished for you, and you may take all that you can gather home with you at the end of the day. Our Master appreciates what you are doing for your mother-in-law. She is his relative and he wishes for her to be safe and cared for. Naturally; he wishes the same for you. He sent this food for you to take home tonight and he wishes for you to come back tomorrow and every day of the harvest that you are able to glean in the fields."
The look on Ruth's face showed so much surprise that the two servants began to laugh. Then Ruth began to laugh too. She laughed long and hard, realizing that it was something she had not done in months. It felt so good to her.
The men waved a temporary goodbye and turned to report back to Boaz. Ruth waved at him because he was standing off in the distance making sure that his servants carried out his orders. He wasn't so far away that Ruth could not see the huge smile upon his face.
Ruth could not get home fast enough. She was so excited to tell Naomi of the encounter in the fields of Boaz and to share some of the fine food that he had sent to them for their evening meal. Also; she was very proud to tell her of the ephah of barley she had gleaned. They would have bread to last for several days now.
Best of all, Ruth was invited back to glean again, only under much better circumstances.
God was surely looking after these two women.
Ruth felt very blessed. Her sleep came as soon as her head hit the pillow Naomi had found for her.
One good day had finally arrived and it was a sign of more to come. Ruth dreamed of fields of golden barley blowing in the breezes of Bethlehem. In her dream she was standing in the middle of that field knowing that something important was about to happen. She was waiting on something. Ruth awoke before she knew what that "something" was, but she dressed quickly and set out to find the answers of the day.
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