Coming Back Full - July 24

Read Ruth 3:14-15

So she lay down at his feet until morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city.

Reflect

Have you ever gone from empty-handed to full arms? What was the situation and how did your circumstances change?

Do you remember back in chapter 1, verses 19-21 when Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem from Moab? Naomi didn’t want to be called “pleasant” anymore, she wanted to be called “Mara” because she felt bitter. She said, “I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty…(v. 21). She went away to Moab with a husband and two sons but she was returning without them and she didn’t know why. She didn’t know what God was doing.

But today, the fullness that Boaz is offering them continues. In chapter 2, he was exceedingly generous towards Ruth as she gleaned. He even let her share in his meal and take home leftovers to Naomi! When Ruth went home that evening, Naomi was amazed at the haul she was bringing home. Ruth certainly had her hands full! Today we read that Boaz promised to settle the matter of Ruth’s request to be her kinsman-redeemer ASAP. If the closer relative wouldn’t accept, he would. And he was honored to do so.

After their conversation, they both went back to sleep. There doesn’t seem to be any evidence of any impropriety that night and the text affirms the godly character of both Boaz and Ruth all the way throughout the book. Still, that kind of situation is how rumors get started. So, Ruth wisely got up early and Boaz sent her packing before anyone could see her and get the wrong idea.

But he didn’t send her away empty-handed. Once again, Boaz sent her back to Naomi overflowing. Probably full of hope. And definitely full of barley. And in the next few studies, we are going to see just how full God filled Ruth and Naomi’s lives through Boaz.

I don’t know if you find yourself in a season of emptiness or fullness. But I want to encourage you that God is faithful. In Him, we are certainly not empty! “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16). No matter how much we have in this earthly life, we will all die empty-handed. But those of us who are in Christ will go home more full than we’ve ever been!

Respond

Lord, I praise You for the fullness that I have in You. May I never be bitter but always thankful for the grace upon grace that You have given me. Great is Your faithfulness. Amen.

Reveal

How have you experience God’s fullness and grace?