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SELF-HELP WITH GOD’S HELP IS THE BEST HELP (4)
LORD’S DAY, JULY 14
Ruth 2:4-7

Psalm 37:3-7

 

“…my flesh also shall

rest in hope.”

 

SELF-HELP WITH GOD’S HELP IS THE BEST HELP (4)
 
God’s help is needed by all and is given to all men. Man needs God’s help not only during a crisis. We do not captain and guide our lives when all seems well and under control, and only need God’s help when the situation becomes very bad and difficult for us to fix. God’s hand of providence was availed not only to Naomi and Ruth, but was also extended to Boaz.
 
“And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem…” (Ruth 2:4). The narrative turns to draw attention to another event: the coming and arrival of Boaz. He was earlier introduced as a wealthy kinsman of Elimelech. Here, he appeared on the scene as a good master. First, a master who took diligent consideration of his affairs and looked well to his estate. He came to see how the reapers were doing, how the work of harvesting was progressing. The diligence of Boaz was not one that was driven by necessity, for he was a mighty man of wealth. But he did not, as the foolish rich man, choose to take his ease and “eat, drink, and be merry” (Luke 12:19). But rather, he attended to his fields personally.
 
“…said unto the reapers…” (Ruth 2:4). Second, a considerate and religious master. This is seen not only in his greetings to the workers and their response to him, but also in his noticing of the gleaners in his field. How his attention turned and recognised the presence of Ruth may indicate that Boaz knew those who worked in his fields but did not recognise Ruth as one of them. The Bible has clear instructions on this in Deuteronomy 24:14-15, forbidding the exploitation of workers, and making sure that the normal terms of engagement and employment are adhered to (Lev 19:13).
 
The same providence that ordered the steps of Ruth that morning as she went out to seek sustenance for herself and for her mother-in-law was the same providence that ordered the steps of Boaz to look into his fields and the labourers harvesting them.
 
THOUGHT: Biblical principles govern life rightly and bring blessings.

PRAYER: (Read Job 31:13-14.)

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