July 18, 2008
Do Not Glean to the Corners of Your Field
Read Ruth 2:1-3, Leviticus 19:9-10 and Deuteronomy 24:19-22
I love the last line of this passage. From the Hebrew we might translate it this
way: "By chance or by accident she encountered the portion of the field
belonging to Boaz" By chance? Ruth may not have known where she was, but
her going to this field was surely the providence of the Lord. It was not a mere
accident that she ended up in the field of her soon-to-be kinsman-redeemer. But
why did Ruth go to the field in the first place? Why did she say to her mother-in-law,
"Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain?"
Naomi, an Israelite, had returned to Bethlehem with her Moabite daughter-in-law,
Ruth. Earlier we read the famous words of Ruth to Naomi, "where you go I will
go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and
your God my God" (Ruth 1:16). Ruth was committed to Naomi and to Naomi's
God. It would have been natural that in the course of their relationship, Naomi
would have instructed her daughter-in-law on the commandments of Yahweh,
including his instruction regarding harvesting one's field. The people of Israel were intentionally not to harvest their entire field, leaving behind some of the produce
of their land for the poor.
Read Leviticus 19:9-10 and Deuteronomy 24:19-22. This commandment was
a provision that Yahweh had put in place for the poor and the foreigner, both of
which were the case for Ruth. Scripture does not specifically say that Ruth and
Naomi were poor; however, this conclusion is not too far a stretch considering they
were both widows and were returning to Bethlehem because they had heard there
was now bread for Yahweh's people.
The blessing and economy of this commandment are wonderful. First, Israel must
be intentional about not harvesting all of their produce for themselves; they must
leave some for those in need. For the Israelite, obedience to this commandment
was a test of their heart and their faith. Do I have a heart for those in need? Do I
trust the Lord that if I share with others I will have enough? (By the way, these
"leftovers" were to be offered in addition to the tithe.)
This provision was also a test for the one in need. Going to the field to glean behind
the harvesters made a statement about one's circumstances: "I am poor." In
ancient Hebrew culture, this may not have carried the stigma that it does in 21st
century America. However, in our culture, even among Christians, it is not popular
to admit we have a need, much less that we are poor. We are a prideful people.
"But I'm not poor," you say. Having enough food to eat and money to live doesn't
mean we are not in need; and many times we try to hide the fact that we are in need
or don't have it all together. But God knows better. Firmly rooted in the Torah is
Yahweh's provision through his community. The people of Yahweh were to care
for one another. As Christians, are we able to lay down our pride and let the Lord
provide for us through the Body of Messiah? Are we willing to admit, "I can't do
this on my own?" It could be a step as simple as going for prayer during communion
on Sunday, letting someone know we are struggling financially, with an addiction, or
with a spouse or child. The Lord is waiting to meet our need but, like Ruth, we must
be willing to take that first step toward the help we so desperately need.
There is yet one more challenge. Sometimes the Lord pours his blessings into our
laps; other times (often!) work is required on our part. The Lord's gracious provision
was there, but the gleaners had to put in a little sweat equity!
One last note. When Ruth set out to gather grain, she had no idea of the rich blessing
the Lord had in store for her. Her "chance" gathering in the field of Boaz was part of
God's plan for a much bigger picture -- a plan of kingdom significance, as we shall
read in the days ahead. May we always remember that even during our low points,
our needs can be used by the Lord for his kingdom purposes.
Cheryl Gonzales
