BOAZ
(RUTH, CHAPTER 2)
Boaz was of the tribe of Judah, and at the time of the coming of Naomi and Ruth he was probably the chief one in Bethlehem. He was a man of means and influence. His father Salmon had crossed the Jordan dry-shod with Joshua, participated in the siege of Jericho, and thereafter married Rahab the harlot. Boaz was born in the land of promise. (1 Chron. 2:11; Matt. 1: 5) Boaz was a kinsman of Naomi, both being of the same tribe. "And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz." — 2:1.
As heretofore stated the name Elimelech means "God my King". Boaz was of the family of Elimelech, and, being of the tribe of Judah, he appears in this prophetic picture as a type
of Christ Jesus and thus shows that Christ Jesus was closely related to the affairs of the church during that period of time when the holy spirit performed the office of comforter, helper and advocate. Elimelech pictured the holy spirit filling the office of comforter, and it was the King Eternal who sent the comforter in the name of Jesus. (John 14: 26) It is also written that Jesus, as Jehovah's agent and chief officer, sent the holy spirit as the comforter. (John 15:26) This is further corroborative proof that the fulfilment of the prophetic book of Ruth took place after the taking away of the holy spirit as a comforter or helper and which took place upon the coming of Christ Jesus to the temple of Jehovah.
The name "Boaz" means "fleetness, alacrity, eagerness" and, probably, "strength." One of the pillars of Solomon's temple was called Boaz, and it was strong. (1 Ki. 7:21) The name is appropriate to the zeal manifested by Jesus for the house of God, and who is the Chief Pillar thereof. (Ps. 69: 9; John 2:13-17) It also calls attention to the eagerness of Jesus to be about the program of vindicating Jehovah's name and to the fleetness with which he moved in that behalf when the due time came. (Ps. 110:1, 2) In keeping with the meaning of his name, Boaz moved swiftly when the time came to redeem Ruth to 'raise up the name of Elimelech'. "Strength" is further appropriate to his name, and is suggested by the fact that Jesus is the strength of his church and those who faithfully serve him can truly say, "[We] can do all things
through Christ which strengtheneth [us]." (Phil. 4:13) At the time of the coming of Naomi and Ruth to Bethlehem Boaz was no longer a young man, but a man of mature years, and hence fittingly pictures Jesus the Priest after the order of Melchizedek. Had not Naomi been too old to bear children it would have become the obligation of Boaz to marry Naomi and raise up an heir to Elimelech. Ruth must take her place.
WILLING TO SERVE
It was "in that day", after his King began the work of vindicating Jehovah's name, that his covenant people must be willing to serve. "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth." (Ps. 110: 3) This text just quoted refers to the time after the birth of the kingdom and the bringing forth by Zion of her children when such willingly and joyfully participate in the service of Jehovah. Ruth willingly offered herself to serve the Lord's poor, her widowed mother-in-law, and she took the initiative and was not forced to work, nor did she complain of too much service. "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 [Naomi] said unto her, Go, my daughter." (2:2) She thereby pictured those coming into the organization of God after 1918 who did not have to be urged to serve but who took the initiative; those who do
not seek honor and praise of men, nor give adulation to men, but diligently seek to serve, to honor and to praise Jehovah and his King.
It was the harvest time and Ruth looked on the fields and saw that they were "white already to harvest". (John 4: 35) She did not consider it proper for her to take her ease at home and look to others to provide for her and her mother-in-law, but she showed her willingness to 'bear the burden ... of the day' in the field. Her ministering to Naomi was like that of Elisha, of whom it was written: "Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah." (2 Ki. 3:11) The Elisha class zealously took up the work where the Elijah class left it off. This means that after 1919 God's covenant people saw that the work prior thereto, foreshadowed by Elijah, had ended and that the work that was to follow was foreshadowed by Elisha, and they gladly undertook the work.
Ruth was a stranger to the land of Israel and would naturally be ignorant of the laws governing the harvest in Israel, but evidently Naomi had informed her concerning the law of God, which provided that the stranger might glean in the grain fields. "And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest; thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger; I am the LORD your God." — Lev. 23:22.
Ruth was both poor and a stranger, within the meaning of this law, and she so understood her position. (2:10) She desired to find favor in the eyes of the owner of the field, and in this she corresponds with Esther seeking grace in the sight of King Ahasuerus and desiring to be chosen as queen. (Esther 2:8-16) Ruth there pictured a class of people who were strangers to the Lord and were brought in contact with the truth concerning his kingdom and humbly submitted to the Lord and showed a great desire to serve faithfully.
Ruth knew that no display of feature and physical form would win favor for her, but that a proper deportment of herself and faithfulness would bring such favor from the owner of the field. This is proof that the so-called "character developers" have not been pursuing the right course when they concluded that by developing what they called a 'beautiful and sweet character' such would win them favor in the sight of the Lord. God is pleased with faithful devotion to him. No doubt Ruth was beautiful and graceful of form, but it was her faith, her deportment, and her zeal and activity that made her really beautiful. When she voluntarily said to her mother that she would go to work in the field, Naomi said: "Go, my daughter." This was right and proper, and shows that God's faithful people in his organization are active in giving honor to Jehovah's name and it is always proper for those of the organization to encourage others to become active who have made a vow or covenant to do the will of God as Ruth had done.
Naomi kept house where the two lodged, and stayed by what little stuff they had. Ruth was her faithful female companion doing her part.
Neither Naomi nor Ruth was a reaper, and this suggests that the work of reaping the harvest at the end of the world is not a work of either the Naomi or the Ruth class. Upon this point we have the positive statement of Jesus that "the reapers are the. angels", and we should not assume to occupy a position which the Lord has not assigned to us. (Matt. 13:39) This is further proof that the reaping of the harvest of the Lord did not begin until the coming of Christ Jesus to the temple, when he was accompanied by his retinue of holy angels. (Matt. 25:31) It was then that the Lord began the 'gathering together unto himself of those who had responded to the call for the kingdom and had been taken into the covenant of the Lord for the kingdom. — 2 Thess. 2:1; Ps. 50: 5.
Ruth went and gleaned in the field. "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." (2:3) Her gleaning work provided both herself and her mother-in-law with the necessary food. The angels do the reaping in the Lord's harvest field, and those who follow after the Lord, the Chief Reaper, and his angels, are privileged to receive the necessary food supply at the hand of the Lord, and the facts clearly show that these things have come to pass since 1918, literally proving that God has especially fed his people since that time.
There were other maidens working in the field, probably gleaning. Ruth followed Boaz, who pictured the Chief Reaper, Christ Jesus. She gleaned in his field; and so it is at this time, that the class whom Ruth here pictures follow after the Lord Jesus, are assisted by his reapers, and feed upon the food which the Lord Jesus provided from Jehovah's storehouse. This is further proof that the Lord Jesus Christ is the teacher or feeder, and not men, and it should for ever close the mouths of those who claim to be serving the Lord and who wish to give honor to men for feeding the household of faith.
Concerning Ruth it is written: "Her hap was to light on [that portion] of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech." It looked like a chance or a happening, and was what modern people would call "good fortune", but without a question of doubt the angels of the Lord were there to guide Ruth into the place where the Lord would have her to go. The drama was being directed by the Lord, and he was making no mistake. Other instances of such guidance by angels of the Lord have appeared to happen; but in fact they did not happen, nor were they by chance. (Acts 10:1-7) God's people in recent years have learned that since the coming of Christ Jesus to his temple his retinue of angels have ministered unto them at the instance of the Lord.
CHIEF REAPER
Boaz was the, owner of the field, and therefore pictures in this part of the drama the Chief
Reaper, Christ Jesus. The Lord Jesus Christ is the owner of the world, having been by his Father made heir of all things, and he is the Chief Reaper gathering the approved unto Jehovah. "And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee. Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?" — 2:4,5.
Coming into the field Boaz greeted his workers with gracious words, saying, "The Lord be with you." The workers returned the greetings, calling upon the Lord to bless the master of the harvest. Such greetings are proper in the organization of the Lord God. (Ps. 129: 8) The arrival of Boaz in the field beautifully pictures Jesus coining to his harvest field in 1918 to do the work in the name of Jehovah God. All who recognized his coming now joyfully say: "Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord." — Ps. 118:26.
Both Jesus, the Chief Reaper, and his angels who are his reapers do the. harvest work as unto Jehovah; and thus the rule is fixed that the proper course of all who are servants of the Most High is to do their work unto the Lord. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." (Col. 3:23) It is easy to be seen, therefore, why Jesus would say that it is an abomination in God's sight to have the names of men exalted in connection with his work. — Luke 16:15.
Boaz went about to inspect those who were working in his field. Likewise Jesus comes inspecting both the reapers and the gleaners in his field. "The king came in to see [inspect] the guests." (Matt. 22:11) Boaz was keeping tab on the operations in his field, and, in so doing, his eyes fell upon Ruth. Surely it is even so now, that Jesus Christ keeps watch over his workers and he observes the Ruth class earnestly and zealously devoted to the work at hand. It is reasonable to conclude that Jesus communes with his chief angels in his harvest field concerning the development and progress of the work. Jehovah's organization is beautifully harmonious and gives glory to God. As Boaz inquired of his overseer concerning the damsel that appeared in his field, even so we may expect that the angels of the Lord make report to him concerning the zeal and earnestness of those who do the work assigned to them.
To the question propounded by Boaz to his overseer the answer was given: "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." — 2:6,7.
These words constitute an excellent recommendation of Ruth to the master of the harvest. She had not come brazenly into the field demanding the right be given her as provided by
the law concerning strangers and the poor, but she had come courteously and humbly, begging permission to glean after the reapers, and by her very deportment expressing her appreciation of the favor granted. This also shows that she was used to work and was not a "wallflower" or one seeking to be pampered and petted. She took advantage of the harvest work and its progress and was therefore "redeeming the time", even as God's people are admonished to do. (Eph. 5:16) She did not work only an hour and a half and then go home and sleep or rest, but she kept busy during the working hours of the. day, taking her lunch in the field. The faith, activity, humility and zeal manifested by Ruth pleased Boaz. Being pleased he approached and made himself known to her and encouraged her to continue in the work.
Boaz further addressed 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." — 2: 8, 9.
The fact that Boaz in addressing Ruth used the words "Hearest thou not, my daughter?" shows that he was her senior in years and regarded her kindly and properly, and reminds one of the words of the Lord addressed to those who have made a covenant to do the will of God, to wit: "Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and
incline thine ear." (Ps. 45:10) Ruth was a heathen and a foreigner, but Boaz refused to cast her out of his field for that reason. He was a kindly-disposed man, and probably had in mind that his own mother was a foreigner and had once borne the reproaches of others. But aside from every other consideration Boaz had respect to God's law concerning the stranger and the poor. Likewise Jesus said: "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me [when at the temple for judgment] I will in no wise cast out." — John 6: 37.
Workers in the field need water to drink, even as God's people in his field need the truth to refresh them. Boaz invited Ruth to drink when athirst the water from the vessels filled by his waters. Possibly this was the water that had been drawn from "the well of Beth-lehem, which is by the gate" which David preferred and of which he drank years later. (2 Sam. 23:14-17) Boaz gave Ruth the privilege of drinking, and that "without money and without price". His words therefore beautifully correspond to the invitation recorded by Jehovah's prophet, to wit: "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." — Isa. 55:1, 3.
In the harvest field of Boaz he had employed "young men", and these correspond to or rep-
resent the angels in the harvest field of Christ Jesus. As Boaz charged these young men concerning Ruth, so the Lord has given his angels charge over the remnant in this day, using them to convey to his workers the reviving and life-sustaining waters of truth, that they might go forward doing the work of Jehovah's witnesses in the earth. The remnant now rejoice to see how the Lord, during the years recently past, has employed his angels to place before them his life-giving message of truth and permit them to have something to do with passing it on to one another. — Ps. 91:11,12; Rev. 8: 3-12; see Light, Book One, page 105.
Some came to a knowledge of the truth and covenanted to do the will of God both before and after 1918 but were too much impressed with their own importance. These have fallen away. Ruth pictures the remnant that remains true and faithful, 'walking humbly before God.' When Ruth heard the gracious words of Boaz concerning her gleaning in his field she at once showed her appreciation thereof: "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?" — 2:10.
Here she pictures those who are grateful to the Lord that they have received his favor and are granted the opportunity of serving him, and who rejoice to have the opportunity of working in his field by making publication of Jehovah's name and his kingdom.
Gleaners bring no profit to the owner of the field; and Ruth, as a gleaner, pictured here those who appreciate the fact that, after having done all, they are still unprofitable servants to the Lord. (Luke 17:10) The faithful can now appreciate how the Lord of the harvest has pushed aside and gathered out those elders and others of the various classes or companies who thought themselves of great importance and too high and too great to engage in the work of going from house to house to publish the message of the truth. The faithful can also appreciate how the Lord has shown his favor to the humble and obedient ones who have delighted to do the work given them to do, even though they know that they have brought no profit whatsoever to the Lord.
Ruth did not advertise her virtues, calling the attention of others to how holy and beautiful she was. Likewise the faithful remnant do not hold themselves forth and by their actions say, 'Stand where thou art; I am more holy than thou,' or continue to proclaim from the housetops their own great virtues. "The Lord knoweth them that are his." — 2 Tim. 2:19.
Boaz had been advised concerning Ruth. Doubtless he had been told much more by his young men than appears in the record. Manifestly he was pleased by her humility and faithfulness. "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." (2:11) Ruth had shown the faith like unto that of Abraham. (Gen. 12:1) She had left her native land and cast in her lot with God's people because she wanted to serve Jehovah, and this was pleasing to Boaz, who represented Christ Jesus. Even so the remnant of this day must have and exercise a similar faith toward God. "Know ye therefore, that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham [picturing Jehovah, the everlasting Father of the nations]. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:7, 26) It is therefore evident that Ruth pictured or represented a class who are today the sons of God by reason of their faith, spirit-begetting and devotion to Jehovah. She was devoted to Naomi and the remnant are similarly devoted to God's organization whom Naomi here represented. Such have left everything of this world, and have done so joyfully, to follow after Christ Jesus and to do the will of Jehovah God. The course that Ruth had taken made her beautiful in the sight of Boaz, and doubtless this is referred to in the words of King David, who afterwards wrote: "Hearken, 0 daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; so shall the King greatly desire thy beauty; for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him." (Ps. 45:10,11) It is their devotion to God and to his organization that now makes the remnant beautiful in the sight of the Lord, even as Ruth was beautiful in the sight of Boaz.
Boaz invoked Jehovah's blessing upon Ruth: "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." (2:12) This explains why Boaz permitted Ruth to become and remain a part of his organization in the harvest field. Whom Jehovah would bless, Boaz would be glad to keep in his field; "for such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth [the condition of Jehovah's favor while sojourning on the earth]." — Ps. 37:22.
Jesus has kept those in his organization who are Jehovah's faithful witnesses and gives promise to them that they shall be the recipients of Jehovah's continued blessings. Ruth had so put her trust in Jehovah, "under whose wings thou art come to take refuge" (R.V.), as Boaz had said to her. These words further suggest that the fulfilment of the prophetic picture is during the time. Jehovah gives to his woman (Zion, his organization) eagle's wings to fly from Satan that she might be nourished and bring forth her children, including those pictured by Ruth. (See Revelation 12: 6,14.) The Ruth class now trust in Jehovah and seek safety in the place of security of the Most High and are taken under protecting wings. (Ps. 91:1, 4) "I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever; I will trust [margin, make my refuge] in the covert of thy wings." — Ps. 61:4.
HIS LOVING-KINDNESS
Ruth's heart was thrilled by the kindness bestowed upon her by Boaz. "Then she said, Let
me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly [margin, to the heart] unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens." (2:13) By these words she showed that she was comforted and desired to continue in the favor of Boaz. Likewise the faithful remnant have tasted of the goodness of the Lord and great is their desire to continue in his service and to receive his mercy and grace.
The response of Boaz shows his likeness unto the Lord. He was gracious and good. It was time to eat and Boaz did not forget Ruth. "And at meal-time Boaz said unto her, Come hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers; and they reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left thereof." —2:14, E.R.V.
Jehovah bestows his loving-kindness upon his faithful ones. When the Lord came to the temple it was mealtime for the children of God, and Christ Jesus, whom Boaz foreshadowed, called the remnant and fed them. "Then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the. children of Israel [by being brought into his organization]. And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide; for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth." (Mic. 5:3,4) This corresponds to the words of the Master Christ Jesus: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
(Rev. 3: 20) This also corresponds to those who were called to the marriage of the king's son, and the Ruth class were found to have on the wedding garments. — Matt. 22: 8-10.
Ruth had come to Bethlehem when there was no famine, and Boaz had made peace with her as a foreigner and brought her into his harvest field organization and now was feeding her upon food convenient for her. (Prov. 30:8) "He [Jehovah] maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat." (Ps. 147:14) In harmony with this it is written: "For he [Jesus] is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us [Jews and Gentiles]; and came and preached peace to you [the Ruth class] which were afar off, and to them [like Naomi] that were nigh. Now therefore ye [the Ruth class] are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens [of Bethlehem-Judah] with the saints, and of the household of God [that is to say, God's royal house]." — Eph. 2:14,17,19.
Ruth was invited to dip her morsel in the vinegar, evidently to sharpen her appetite. She sat beside the reapers or servants of Boaz, and partook of her food. The servants would watch the hand of the master Boaz and, at his direction by the wave of the hand, would serve Ruth; and this is in harmony with the words of the psalmist. (Ps. 123: 2) Even so the Lord's remnant are privileged to sit in heavenly places and be ministered unto by the angels of the Lord in these latter days. (Heb. 1:14) It seems quite
certain that Boaz showed more consideration to Ruth than to the other maidens that were gleaning in his field. This finds its parallel in the case of Esther: "So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women." — Esther 2:8,9.
The Lord of the harvest has gathered unto himself and to the temple of Jehovah those pictured by Naomi and Ruth, and also pictured by Mordecai and Esther, and upon these he has bestowed his loving-kindness by feeding them with an abundance of wholesome and life-sustaining food. These have had greater favor from the Lord than those who have merely hung on and associated themselves with the Lord's people. Those who have shown their love for God and his organization have been abundantly blessed with his many loving-kindnesses. The Lord's representatives, his angels, have ministered unto those who have been faithfully and actively at work singing forth the praises of Jehovah and giving publication to his name and to his kingdom; and, thus showing their love for
God, these faithful ones have the assurance that he will preserve them.
Jehovah preserves and blesses those who love him. The love of the creature for the Creator is shown by keeping his commandments. God's Word makes it plainly to appear that he will not permit one to become a member of his house and abide there unless that one proves his love for Jehovah. Only such could have a part in the vindication of Jehovah's name. This point cannot be overstated. The fact that one makes a covenant to do God's will and is called to the kingdom, responds to that call, and is taken into the covenant for the kingdom, is no guarantee that he will be of the Lord's glorious house. He must maintain his integrity toward God by continually showing his unstinted and undivided love for Jehovah and his kingdom until the end of his earthly course. — Rev. 2:10.
Ruth had been shown much favor by Boaz. She had responded to his invitation and had eaten at the table of Boaz. Many have responded to the invitation to eat at the table of the Lord, have partaken of his goodness, and then disregarded his commandments by failing or refusing to do further service in obedience to the will of God. The Ruth class, however, are willing souls in this day of the Lord, and this was manifested by the actions of Ruth. After feasting at the table of Boaz she again busied herself with her work. Boaz did not give command to his young men until Ruth had again undertaken her work. "And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying,
Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: and let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not." (2:15,16) It would be vicious and wicked to hold that Boaz was infatuated with Ruth, and that they were carried away in a so-called sensual love affair. The strong intimation of such by some commentators is wholly unwarranted.
Boaz was a man of God and in this drama was performing his part which foreshadowed the outworking of God's purposes. The claim made by some that because he was an elderly man and Ruth was young and beautiful, therefore he was gratifying an old man's fancy, is not worthy of consideration. He was familiar with God's law governing the Israelites, and knew that Naomi must be given first consideration in the question of a levirate marriage, and that if Ruth should take the place of Naomi there was still a nearer kinsman than himself who would have first claim, and whose duty it would be to exercise that right.
Further supporting this conclusion, all of his instructions to his young men were given without the knowledge of Ruth, thus showing he was not attempting to influence her in his behalf. Boaz had commended Ruth because of her kindness to Naomi. The mother-in-law, knowing that she could not bear a son to Boaz, and seeing the kindness of Boaz to Ruth, was thereby encouraged to do what she could to have Boaz marry Ruth in order to fulfil the law of God and to prevent a break in the lineage leading up to the
King. The kindness of Boaz to Ruth corresponds to the call of the Lord to the Ruth class to the "prize of the high calling" and to joint-heirship with Christ in the kingdom. — Phil. 3:14; Rom. 8:16,17.
Boaz did not himself assume the honor of taking to wife the fair young maiden, but he let it come about in God's appointed way; and thus his actions picture that God does the espousing, like unto what Abraham did in selecting a wife for Isaac. (See Genesis 24:2-4.) It is Jehovah who does the calling to the kingdom, and the selection of the members of the bride of Christ, and who are hence made members of his royal house. (1 Thess. 2:12; John 6:44) It is Jehovah God who takes out a people for his name and who anoints and commissions them to do the work in his name and to his honor and glory. This is not left to any creature.
The results of Ruth's efforts show her to be energetic. She not only worked well in gleaning, but she beat out the grain that she had gleaned. "So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley." (2:17) The result of her labor on that day amounted to about one bushel of grain. This good day's work was clearly the result of the kindness of Boaz in directing his reapers to pull out and let drop some grain of the sheaves so that Ruth might pick up this barley that was dropped. This suggests that the Lord does not leave his beloved ones on earth to starve either in material or spiritual things, but permits them to have and enjoy
these good things that are for their well-being. To enjoy them, however, the Ruth class, even as Ruth did, must keep busy, "working with [their] hands the thing which is good, that [they] may have to give to him that needeth." (Eph. 4: 28) This is exactly what Ruth did, and she shared with Naomi, giving to her what was needed for her well-being. "It is more blessed to give than to receive," said Jesus; and this negatives the conclusion that some have that they should constantly hold out their hands to receive from others. The unselfish one not only desires to be like the Lord, but puts forth an effort to render aid to others as opportunity may arise. The. one who labors is the one who has the joy and delights to share that joy with others of like precious faith and knowledge.
The day's work being done, Ruth went home to share the effects of her labors with her mother-in-law. "And she took it up, and went into the city; and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned; and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed." (2:18) Doubtless Ruth exchanged some of her grain for other kinds of food that were needed, and what she had left, that is, "after she was sufficed," she gave to Naomi. The amount of grain Ruth brought home showed she had been favored by some good friend, and Naomi immediately took notice of this: "And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with
whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz." (2:19) Both of the women were happy, and both gave glory and thanks to the Lord God for his goodness to them and called down the blessing of the Lord upon the one who had been good to Ruth.
The Lord has continued to increase every year since 1922 his provision for his people, and has increased the opportunities of making known the glad tidings of his kingdom. All those who have enjoyed this privilege, and who have had the proper appreciation thereof, give honor and glory only to Jehovah God through Christ Jesus for these favors and call upon Jehovah to bless the great Master of the harvest, who is the dispensing agent of Jehovah's blessings to his people.
The part played by Naomi at this point in the drama more particularly pictures those found faithful in 1918, and whom the Lord then constituted "the faithful and wise servant" class, and corresponds to the part played by Mordecai as set forth in the drama of the book of Esther. When Naomi learned that Ruth had been favored by her kinsman Boaz she recognized the hand of the Lord in their affairs and her heart was made glad and she manifested this in her speech to Ruth. "And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our nest kinsmen [the marginal rendering, 'one that
hath right to redeem']." (2: 20) The word "kinsmen", as used in this verse twenty, means to redeem according to the oriental law of kinship, which has the meaning of buying back, and relates to property or the marrying of the widow of the deceased kinsman.
It is different in the Hebrew from the word used to translate "kinsman" in chapter 2:1. The use of this different word by Naomi shows that she was speaking with proper discernment and discrimination and that she was being guided in so doing by the hand of Jehovah. Naomi recognized the Lord was guiding them and she gave praise to God, saying: "[He] hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead."
The Elijah work of the church died in 1918, or came to an end, which is represented by death. Later the Naomi class discerned that the Lord had made provision for the members thereof and had blessed them; that he had blessed the Elijah work then completed or dead, and was now beginning to bless the work foreshadowed by Elisha. These faithful ones were thankful to the Lord and eager to proceed with his work to his glory; hence they prayed in the language of the psalmist: "Save now, I beseech thee, 0 Lord [Jehovah]: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he [Christ Jesus, the Master of the harvest] that cometh in the name of the Lord; we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord." (Ps. 118: 25, 26) Jehovah and Jesus in the temple blessed the faithful ones out of the house of the Lord. This is
foreshadowed by the words and actions of Naomi in the preceding verse.
Boaz made provision for Ruth to continue her work in the field, as she then told Naomi. He directed her to keep close by his young men. "And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest." (2: 21) This would picture God's faithful people working in the field under Christ and keeping in close touch, by his grace, with the angels accompanying the Lord at his temple. In other words, this shows a close relationship between the angels of the Lord and the Naomi and Ruth class, picturing the remnant, even though there is no direct communication between the seen and the unseen ones. The Lord himself looks after this relationship.
For Ruth to continue to glean throughout the period of the harvest would test her endurance and afford her the opportunity to prove her worthiness to be chosen as a member of the household of the prospective king of Israel. This test corresponds to the twelve months of purification that Esther was required to undergo. (Esther 2:12-16) Likewise the class whom Ruth pictured after having responded to the call or invitation to work in the field of the Lord, these must continue in faithful service and devotion to the Lord of the harvest. This furnishes an opportunity for them to prove and maintain their integrity toward God and determines whether or not they measure up to the
requirements for a place in the house of Jehovah.
As Mordecai advised Esther, Naomi continues to advise and instruct Ruth. "And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field." (2:22) Naomi advised Ruth to do one thing, that is to say, stick to the work which the master of the harvest had given her.
Likewise the faithful Naomi class has advised and continues to advise the Ruth class to 'do this one thing' and not to be double-minded or unstable or tossed about by the opinions of men. Stick closely to the work that the Lord has provided, and slack not the hand. (Phil. 3:13; Jas. 1:8; Zeph. 3:16) Having first been given the favor of serving in the Lord's organization, then the faithful continue to "follow the Lamb [and no others] whithersoever he goeth". (Rev. 14:4) Jesus Christ is the Head over Jehovah's organization; and the remnant, represented by both Naomi and Ruth, have been given the privilege of serving in his organization, and they must stick to it faithfully and, in so doing, show gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord. The divine rule is elsewhere stated in these words: "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib"; but there are those who claim to be Israelites who do not know. (Isa. 1:3) There are some who have made a covenant to do God's will who do not know where to go to feed, and are always being tossed around by the selfish advice of someone else.
Ruth faithfully stayed at her work through both the barley and the wheat harvest. "So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest, and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law." (2: 23) During the harvest work Boaz would be too busy to attend to the near kinship or redemption claim, and Naomi appreciated that fact; hence she remained quiet until the harvest work was completed. At the opportune time Naomi would act and instruct her daughter-in-law, and this shows that the Lord God was directing the drama.
