Daily Bread

“So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.” (Ruth 2:17)

This is from the life of Ruth. She gathered grain in the field, gathering what the reapers had left. “And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.” (Ruth 2:2) She went out searching for a field to work in, not knowing where she’d be allowed to gather after the workers, picking up what they’d left. So, in comparing Ruth’s search for food to our search for the spiritual nourishment we need, we search the Word of God, not knowing where the Spirit of God will lead us to gather the seed we need for our souls.

What a humbling experience, stooping to find what had fallen from the reapers until the evening. We can compare Ruth’s experience to ours as we diligently seek His Word, seek His face and seek His Will and Purposes, gathering day by day, little by little humbling knowing that without the Holy Spirit, we cannot pick up one kernel of good from the Word of God in our spirits. And as we collect the wisdom of God from His Word, we find that we have garnered a wealth of knowledge and wisdom, enough for a good meal, enough for the day, enough for the trials of a day. Every day we must glean to have what we need for that day. Slothfulness is not an option. So, with the determination that Ruth had we ignore the aches of the body from the stooping and the searching to gather. Our existence depends on it.

“And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.” (Ruth 2:3) She went out in faith, hoping that she’d find a good field to gather in. And she happened to find work in the field of her mother-in-law’s relative, Boaz. We too, begin to gather believing we’re led to the place where we can find what we need for the day, depending on the Holy Spirit to guide us and to point out the seed that we need.

“Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.” (Ruth 2:8-9) Jesus, the master of the Word invites us to gather only on His Word and not to go elsewhere. There is safety in His field. There is plenty. Eat and drink as you gather Boaz tells Ruth. “And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.” (Ruth 2:14) Jesus tells us the same. As you gather for the day, eat and drink, nourish your soul with the goodness of the Word.

“Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” (Ruth 2:10) Jesus made a generous invitation to us while we were yet sinners. “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Unlike Ruth, we did nothing to deserve His kindness and His grace in our lives. He saw our need and gave Himself for us, so that we could partake of His divine supply. And in our hunger and thirst, we eat and drink in His field, nourished by richness of His Word.

At the end of the day Ruth realized she’d gathered 25 pounds of barley. As we come to the end of our study we realize we’ve gathered enough for the day, enough strength and enough knowledge and wisdom to seize the day in joy and in victory. The Holy Spirit helped us find the rich field of the Lord. And Jesus has allowed us to glean from His field.