Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this? And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab: and she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house. 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. 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? And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. Ruth 2:5-12

What qualities set you apart? Consider the same question expressed differently in Proverbs 31:10, who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Brought out of an ungodly background but transformed by contact and immersion in godliness, do you stand out in your character and disposition?

1. Ruth laboured in the kinsman’s field (harvest) all day, resting little in the house (Ruth 2:2,7). Are you in the kinsman Redeemer’s harvest?
2. Her purpose was to put food on the table for herself and adopted mother, but God had a greater plan for her! Her diligence would put her before kings (Ruth 2:8-10). In your pursuit of meat for the belly, is there room for the Master’s plan to be manifested in your life and ways?
3. Ruth leaving the land of her nativity spoke to repudiating the gods of her land to come under the rulership of the God of Israel to receive an inheritance amongst those who are sanctified by the faith in the God of Israel (Ruth 2:11-12; Acts 26:18).

Returning to the God of Israel (Jer. 2:11) Naomi also was now catered for by the God who she had by circumstances abandoned (Ruth 1:1,2). Naomi thought she had a reason but God showed He had her back despite her part in the abandoning of God’s place of provision by her husband, once she repented and returned.

Daughter of Zion, it is time to live Psalm 68:11-13.

The Lord gives the word [of power]; the women who bear and publish [the news] are a great host. The kings of the enemies’ armies, they flee, they flee! She who tarries at home divides the spoil [left behind]. Though you [the slackers] may lie among the sheepfolds [in slothful ease, yet for Israel] the wings of a dove are covered with silver, its pinions excessively green with gold [are trophies taken from the enemy]. Psalm 68:11-13 (AMPC)

Don’t be a slacker, take on the wings of a dove bearing the message of peace to many a troubled heart. Shalom.


Pastor Afolabi Oladele