And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” And they answered, “The Lord bless you.” Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” And the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, “She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.’ So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest.” Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.”
Ruth 2:4-9 ESV Bible Gateway
Gleaning – gathering grains left by reapers was not a fun or desirable job. The gleaners need to collect gradually and bit by bit under the sun. Ruth chose to take on this low, tedious, and repetitive task because that was the way to keep her and Naomi fed. She was determined to take care of her mother-in-law and follow Naomi’s God faithfully. That was what made her stand out among the other harvesters, and they knew her by her name.
God sometimes may also put us in fields where we might have to do tasks like gleaning – tedious and repetitive, while the harvesting reapers on the side seem to be having much more fun and excitement. If gleaning is the responsibility given to you, will you be willing to stay through and finish what God has given to you faithfully? Boaz offered Ruth his promise to let her continue to gather grains at his fields; men will not lay their hands on her; and that she can drink the water in the vessel. Likewise, our Father in Heaven, the One we ought to serve faithfully, also promised us his providence, protection, and a spring of water welling up to eternal life!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day and the tasks you have given me. Help me to serve and do my tasks with a joyful and faithful heart, because there are no tasks too small in your eyes, and everything I do for you, you’d cherish.
Raisins & Apples Bible Devotional & more 