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Rewards on the threshing floor
Rewards on the threshing floor
here’s a recap of chapter 1 and two.
Chapter 1 hit us with the bitter providence of God in the life of Naomi as she left her land, and lost her husband, her sons, and one of her daughter-in-law‘s. But there was a sweet providence as well the famine broke in Judah and Naomi could go home. Ruth committed herself to care for Naomi. And all the while a kinsman named Boaz was preserved as a husband for Ruth to raise up an heir for the family name and property. But the chapter ends with Naomi overwhelmed with her loss: “ The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.”
in chapter 2 the mercy of God breaks through bright enough even for a Naomi to see it. We meet Boaz, a man of wealth, a man of God, and a relative of Naomi‘s husband. We see Ruth taken refuge under the wings of God in a foreign land and being led mercifully by God to the field of Boaz to glean. And we see Naomi recover from her long night of despondency as she exalt in God. “The Lord‘s kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Chapter 2 overflows with hope. Boaz is a God saturated man in his business and personal relations. Ruth is a God- dependent woman under the wings of God. Naomi is now a God-exulting woman under the sovereignty of God. All the darkness of chapter 1 is gone. God has turned her morning into dancing. The Almighty has dealt bitterly with me has given way to His kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead.
A cunning plan is hatched
Chapter 3 starts then with the next step in drawing closer to the Lord. Ruth had known the provisions of Boaz, and has sought refuge under the wings of the God of Israel as Boaz himself had earlier stated. We have also seen her working in Boaz field and seen his gracious commitment to her in return.
But Naomi had a greater vision for Ruth. She could see something better for Ruth than just being a worker in Boaz’s field. She could see Ruth fully redeem, loved, and honored as a wife. So Naomi becomes a matchmaker! But it wasn’t going to be easy and would involve Ruth place in herself at the feet of Boaz, totally reliant upon his will. As we go on in our Christian life, there are times also when we must also be found at the threshing floor.
where are they?
it’s a time of testing and refineing, and just as the threshing floor was used to separate the true grain from the chaff so these times in our life are used to refine and purify our faith in him. But as we shall see, through this testing she would learn what it is to rest in him, and his provision would be greater than any time before!
2. Ruth’s preparation tips
to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.
Wash yourself - is being washed with the water of the word as Ephesians 5:26 tells us. It means examining ourselves by the word and allowing it to govern our attitudes, motives and desires. In times of testing the word of God is a light unto our path, given us hope to preserve.
And do not be drunk with wine (in which is dissipation), but be filled by the Spirit,
Anoint yourself- Always speaks of the enabling of the Holy Spirit, it tells us to be filled( or controlled) by the Holy Spirit and this is crucial in times of refining when our natural reaction is to be anything but controlled!
Revelations 19:8
Says it was given to her to close herself and find linen. For the fine linen is the righteous act of the Saints. This is only possible to extent that we’ve got the first two task in place.
3. Leaving it all in his hands
Ever felt likeEver felt like that? You’re going through a time of testing and all you can do is throw yourself down at the Lord’s feet not really knowing what will happen next? To us it seems like a huge risk but to the Lord is the very place he wants us to be.
Into the place of refining
, and create something and when God makes somebody, he always starts with nobodies! But it’s always starting by laying yourself down and humility at his feet