Peter Misselbrook's Blog
Apr 16 2019 - Ruth 2 – Boaz

In a society where it was the role of men to provide for their extended families, widows could be very vulnerable. Naomi and Ruth were dependent upon the charity of others.

The Law of Moses had made provision for the poor in the land. Those with fields and crops were not allowed to reap up to the very edge of their fields, nor were they allowed to go over the ground a second time to gather up what had been missed. These 'gleanings' were to be left for the poor to gather up for their own use.

Ruth had come to Bethlehem with Naomi with the intent of looking after her mother-in-law. So, at harvest time, she set out for the fields to see what she could gather. The narrator tells us that, "As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek" (2:3). By this comment, and in the unfolding story, he intends us to see that God is at work, directing Ruth's steps, and those of the other characters in the story.

The character of Boaz is immediately apparent from his greeting to his workers and their response. Here was a man who was conscious that he lived moment-by-moment in the presence of the Lord.

His attention is drawn to a young woman he does not recognise. By inquiry he learns that this is Ruth the daughter-in-law of Naomi. He had heard of her kindness in devoting herself to the care of Naomi and he is determined to ensure that she does well in her gleaning. He instructs her to gather up grain close behind the reapers and to stay in his fields where no-one will harm her – a foreign girl like Ruth could have been particularly vulnerable to being abused, particularly by men (remember the closing chapters of Judges).

Ruth is amazed by his kindness to her, a foreigner, and asks why he should treat her like this. Boaz' reply forms the heart of this chapter; "I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband – how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge" (2:11-12).

Boaz recognised not only that Ruth had come to Bethlehem to be with and care for Naomi but also that she had come to place her faith in the God of Israel. Boaz' words of blessing are not merely good wishes. He intends, as far as it is in his power, to be the means by which Ruth is blessed by God. He instructs his harvesters not to hinder Ruth's gleaning but rather to ensure that there is plenty for her to pick up.

Ruth returned to her mother-in-law with about 13 kg of grain. Naomi was delighted and enquired where Ruth had been gleaning. When she heard that it was in the fields of Boaz, a close relative of her dead husband, her immediate response was to proclaim "The LORD bless him!" Boaz has blessed them and Naomi desires that God would bless him in return.

We also are a people who have found refuge in the God of Israel and salvation in Jesus the Messiah. We also live moment-by-moment under his care. We also are to be a people who not only wish that same blessing upon others but who seek to be the answer to our own prayers; to be the means by which they are blessed. Who will the Lord enable you to bless today?

Father God, you are the sovereign God with whom nothing happens by chance. You have blessed us with incalculable riches in the Lord Jesus Christ and you continue to pour out your blessings on our lives. Help us today to be a blessing to others in word and in deed.

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Apr 16 2020 - 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13 – The call of unfailing love

What can one say about 1 Corinthians 13? I wonder what the argumentative and fiercely competitive Corinthians made of Paul’s words. Compare his description of them in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 with what he says here:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (vv. 4-7)

This, says Paul, is the shape of Christian maturity. This is the foundation and fashion of the world to come. This is the love of God that has appeared in Jesus Christ. This is the character that the Spirit of God is seeking to form in us. This is what it means to be a truly spiritual person. This is the calling of God upon our lives.

These words are truly awesome. They fill me with joy at the beautiful picture of God’s purpose for our lives. They fill me with shame at the recollection of just how much and how often I fall short of all that I should be. These are words that demand to be committed to memory, written upon the heart and, most of all, to be lived out in daily life. It’s a calling with which my flesh cannot comply. All too often I am impatient and concerned to have my own way. I can be envious of others and so pleased when others speak well of me. I have learned to hide my anger well, but it can flare and burn inside and smoulder on for days or even years. I do not find it easy to forget the wrongs I believe that I have suffered. I need forgiveness, and I need transformation. The Spirit of the risen Saviour can alone fill me with the love of Jesus and make me like him.

And this makes what Paul has to say next even more wonderful:

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away… For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known (vv 8,12).

Love never fails. God’s love never fails, neither does he give up on us. He has begun a work in us by his Spirit of transforming us into the likeness of his Son, the Man of Love, and he will not leave it half done. He will not allow our stubbornness, our weakness, our sin to defeat his purpose: love never fails. He will continue to love us and work in us and for us until we stand with Christ in glory and see him face to face and know as we are known.

And he calls us to show that sort of love towards others; a love that never gives up on them but seeks always to work for their good and for their blessing and which prays unceasingly for them. This, says Paul to the argumentative and competitive Corinthians, is God’s calling for you in Christ. It is his calling also for us.

Lord, help me never to forget these words. Through your love I am redeemed. You are patient with me, always kind towards me and keep no record of my wrongs – wonderful words! You do not give up on me but persevere with me despite my failings and slowness to learn. You are wonderful to me. Help me to live a life shaped by such love. Make me more like Jesus, more like the person I shall be when he appears. Help me to show this same unfailing love towards others that they too may be drawn into the saving embrace of your love.

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Peter Misselbrook