RUTH 3
The conduct of Ruth in chapter 3 represents that of souls who have learned that all depends on Christ exercising in favour and power the right of redemption. She came, encouraged by the favour shown her, and by Naomi, to claim that he should exercise that right on her behalf. She would avail herself of God’s provision in grace, conscious that as towards her all was unmerited favour, but yet having the moral suitability of “a woman of worth”; this was known in all “the gate of my people”, verse 11. She came to Boaz as “winnowing barley in the threshing-floor”, reminding us of Him “whose winnowing fan is in his hand, and he shall thoroughly purge his threshing-floor”, Matthew 3: 12. He will get rid of all chaff; He will burn it with fire unquenchable; what is morally worthless will have no place with Him. It is better to be winnowed by Christ than to be sifted by Satan. Christ winnows to get rid of the chaff; Satan sifts that, if possible, he may get rid of the wheat. A “woman of worth” would come to light as being prepared to face all that is involved in the winnowing process, and such would be acceptable in His sight. Christ would displace all that is unsuitable to Himself. There may be a good deal that seems to be suitable, but when tested under threshing it is found to be but chaff which has to be eliminated. Ruth represents one who is prepared to be winnowed. And on her side, as washed, anointed, and robed, there were suitable moral conditions. For all such He can be counted upon to “shew thee what thou shalt do”, and to “complete the matter this day”.
It is striking that, as we have before remarked, Ruth takes the initiative in all this. The Spirit of God would bring prominently before us the fruit of His working, in that she moved affectionately and diligently after what was of God, and to acquire for herself all that was available through His favour. Spiritual things are available today; Christ is available, the Holy Spirit is available, the inheritance is available; in a certain sense we may say that the assembly is available. Now have we the state of heart seen in Ruth which will go in wholeheartedly for all that is available? Christ would say to us, “I love those that love me; and they that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; durable wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than [p. 210] fine gold, yea, than pure gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I walk in the path of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasuries”, Proverbs 8: 17 - 21.
Lowliness, subjection and modesty were seen in Ruth; she had beautiful moral qualities, but, withal, a state of heart that would miss nothing which divine goodness and wealth put within her reach. She got every encouragement from Boaz. “And now, my daughter, fear not; all that thou sayest will I do to thee”; and he gave her six measures of barley. She returned to Naomi enriched, and with evidence that she had his full approval in what she was pursuing. It is a comfort to know that the Lord Jesus recognises every spiritual desire, even in one who is not yet in full rest and liberty. Do you think it is nothing to Christ if one can really say, “I delight in the law of God according to the inward man?” How much more if there is distinct desire for Himself? To such a one He would give a distinct expression of His interest and concern, and a pledge that He will see the matter through. Such may be learning and feeling that they have no rights and no power, but the Lord has His eye upon them, and He will surely see the matter through, and bring their exercises to fruition. When we have no one before us but Christ, He says, “I will do everything for you”.
When Ruth learned that the one who had been so gracious to her was a kinsman with the right of redemption she was encouraged to put herself in the place of one who needed him, and who desired to be under his wing. She had then no more to do in the matter; it all rested with him. “Be still, my daughter ... for the man will not rest until he have completed the matter this day”. When a divinely taught soul has its affections powerfully drawn to what is of God, and has come to the apprehension of Christ as the Kinsman with the right of redemption, and is ready to avail itself of Him, the whole matter then rests with Him. Everything must be taken up in such a way that the honour of it belongs alone to Christ. He will act for those who love Him, and secure to them all that their hearts desire, even at such a time as we are living in. When affections move simply and whole-heartedly towards Christ He undertakes everything.