The Book of Ruth                              continuation
Chapter  two.
'Let me now go to the field....'. Hardly had Ruth time to settle down than she went into the harvest to work. Is our desire to meet the Lord of the harvest? Do we want a close relationship with our Lord? 'Draw nigh to Me and I will....', Jam.4:8. God has many labourers but not so many friends. Abraham was called the 'Friend of God'. Job said, 'I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear but now....' , Job.42:5. It is one thing to know about Christ but another to know Him personally.
Ruth was soon noticed by the Lord of the harvest, 'Let fall hand fulls....' . He is the One who will give you fruit for your labour. The souls belong to Him, as well as the 'Earth and the fullness thereof....', Ps.24:1.
Is our gleaning insufficient? Pray to the Lord of the harvest for results, you need the Lord's blessing. Do not be disappointed at failure, ask for His blessing, He will let a handful fall.
The gleaning is at the end of the harvest, so is the Church now. The last sinners will have to be gathered in before He comes for His Church.
Ruth obtained a good report by her conduct, hence the commendation by Boaz. Is our conduct pleasing to the Lord? She was invited to sit at his table beside the reapers, though not a reaper. If you have been commended  by the lord of the harvest you too will sit beside some well known workers. Everybody will have their reward on that day for the work done, but we are reminded that  from those who have much, much will be required.
Boaz did not just have pity on Ruth but took special knowledge and care of her. There was love in it. So too for us, the Lord of the harvest took special care to draw us near to His side. Maybe the reapers did not care much for her. Do not think that nobody cares about your difficulties, trials and Tribulations. He cares a lot about you, You are not neglected or forsaken. You are His child and he loves you.
It would appear that Ruth went to the field of Boaz by chance, but not so. God arranged it that way. Our lives are or should be guided by the Holy Spirit, ' As many as are led by the Holy Spirit...' . Rom.8:14-16.
Notice that whatever Ruth did was in total agreement with Naomi's liking and desire for her-Submission to a wise Counselor.  The same relationship should exist between the Church and the Holy Spirit.
Gleaning is a back breaking task. From morning till evening Ruth kept at it, but at the end of the day there was an added reward by Boaz for her and Naomi. Witnessing and Evangelizing can be a difficult task. There is much opposition and disappointment but at the end of the day there will be a great reward from the Lord of the Harvest- 1 Cor.15:58.
                                                                                       To be continued.

The Book of Ruth
Chapter 1.
A beautiful story set during the time of the Judges. Not only a romantic story but one with a profound message.
Ruth. A type of the Church, also represented by other women in the Bible. A love story between Boaz (a type of Christ) and Ruth (the Church). In Rev.1:5-6 we read, 'To Him that loved us....'.
The Law stated that a Jew should not marry a foreigner but this was made possible by Grace-Love. Jesus, by Grace Redeemed us from death, because He loved us. Grace-Unmerited Favour.
The Gentiles were barred by law from Israel's Congregation-Deut.23:3. Ruth was offered to the next of kin by Law but he refused. Boaz however, was able to marry her because he loved Ruth.
Similarly, Christ overcame the barrier to redeem us because He loved us-John 3:16.
In the story, we read that the family left Israel because of famine. The famine came because Israel forsook their God-Lev.26:3-5. Contrast Abraham's, Isaac's and Jacob's actions in going to Egypt.
Do not look anywhere for life except your God in times of need. He is always able to keep us.
The Family of Israelites:
Elimelech.- "God is my King". Do we stand up to our Name? Do we honour God? A name in biblical terms reveals the identity and character of the person.
Mahlon.-"Sickly one".
Chilion.-"Pining one, wasting away".
Naomi.-"Pleasant". A type of Israel bereft of her children and the blessing of Jehovah God.
Elimelech's children signified the result of his mistake. Do not be guided by circumstances, only by God.
They fled to the land of Moab (land of sin). Remember Lot and his daughters? Gen.19:29-38. They mixed with the abomination and the result was death-Separation from God and His life.
Even away from God we see His hand on His people in the person of Ruth.
'Ruth clave to her....'. -The Bride of Christ. Ruth made a decision to go with Naomi. Orpha separated from Naomi and returned to her family-The world.
Only as individuals can we decide to go with and lean upon God-His mercy and Grace. It is not a matter of Merit but we choose who we will follow.
Israel rejected their God but their rejection opened the way for the Gentiles to become fellow heirs-Rom.11:1-11. Through the fall of Naomi's family Ruth was able to enter the land promised to Israel. So, they returned home 'In the beginning of the barley harvest'.
The return happened at a special time, sowing had ended-Matt.13:36-43. The harvest is now finished, the end of the day. The Lord's return is imminent. Israel (Naomi) has already returned home but her property is occupied by others. The return meant that the bride (Ruth) is ready to face the Bridegroom. Are we ready for the coming of Christ? The marriage Supper of the Lamb-Rev.19:1-10.