Ruth 3:14-18 – In Christ we are assured

Boaz was an honorable man known for his godliness. His opening greeting to his workers was “May Yahweh be with you.” He had a great relationship with his workers. It’s no wonder that he was such a likable person. So, his kindness towards Ruth didn’t come as a surprize. He accepted Ruth's request to come under his covering and assured her that he would do what’s necessary to settle with another close relative who had the right to redeem her. Then he invited her to remain with him on the threshing floor that night. Boaz was not a man who entertained a spur-of-the-moment relationship, so he was not proposing a tête-à-tête. He was genuinely concerned for Ruth and did not want her reputation to be tarnished. So, both of them woke up before sunrise and he advised her not to let anyone know that she had been at the threshing floor. He then poured out on her cloak six measures of barley and gave it to her. Ruth then departed to her home.  

When Ruth returned home, Naomi eagerly asked her how things went that night. She was probably eager to know how Boaz responded to her plan for her daughter-in-law. She wanted to know whether her plan had worked. Ruth then told her what transpired that night saying that Boaz had shown her great favor. Not only that, he had also extended the same courtesy by measuring out six measures of barley for Naomi. This was a positive gesture to indicate that he was willing to accept the responsibility to redeem her. Naomi than counseled Ruth to be patient for she knew Boaz would not rest until he had settled with the anonymous kinsman regarding this issue. She was confident that Boaz would do his best to bring the transaction to a close.

Boaz, as we have said, is a type of Jesus, our trustworthy Lord. Redemption is His specialty. He came with the expressed purpose of redeeming us from the curse of the fall. Like Ruth who approached Boaz to be redeemed, we have also come to our Lord to be redeemed. As Ruth went back with deep assurance of his promise, provision, and persistence working to ensure her rest, so our Lord Jesus is also doing that for us. We are recipients of His promise and provision. And He will persistently work in our lives to ensure that complete rest is restored to us. Here’s an assurance that the Apostle Peter gave us. In 1 Peter 1:3-5, he said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Yes, we are recipients of the promises and provision of Christ, and He is patiently and persistently working in our lives to make us more complete in Him. Oh! What a wonderful Saviour!