Widow's Journal

Stress and worry can become a widow’s companion as new concerns and added tasks are heaped on her plate. Yes, an increase in loads to carry and fewer resources can rob us of peace as we face uncertainty on this new pathway. And yet, Jesus says in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you…Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” His peace. His unfathomable, heart-guarding, comfort-lavishing peace. A measure, a portion for us, is His generous provision. Ruth and Naomi will begin to see this portion unfold.

Boaz, it seems, is very attentive to his crop as well as his workers and it doesn’t take long before he notices Ruth gleaning in the field. He makes inquiries about her and learns she is the Moabite young lady who has accompanied Naomi back to Bethlehem. The servant goes beyond a simple explanation to report Ruth’s asking permission to glean, but goes on to tell about her hard work and diligence. Boaz

So, Boaz wastes no time in meeting with Ruth, calling her “Daughter”, and insisting she glean only in his field with his workers, then protectively ordering his young men with a “hands off” policy. Not only does he guard her reputation, but he also shows her where to find water when she is thirsty. What a picture of how our Lord looks after us. As widows, we often feel vulnerable without the protective presence of our husband. We can look to the Lord as our husband now, as it says in Isaiah 54:5, “For the Maker is your husband. The Lord of Hosts is His name. And Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel...” Boaz doesn’t refer to her as a Moabitess, a lesser person, an enemy of God’s people, but he calls her “Daughter” and thinks of her thirst. The Lord calls us His own, and He also points us to Himself to quench our every thirst. In John 4: 14, Jesus says, “Whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water I will give him will become a spring of water welling up into eternal life.” Boaz is showing many similarities to how our Savior brings provision and peace to our lives.

Boaz also takes this opportunity to thank Ruth for her kindness to Naomi. He knew all that Ruth had done to show kindness to her mother-in-law! He was well aware of how Ruth had left her own family and native land to come to a foreign place and a people she did not know. She, a widow, was a stranger, in a strange land, and her focus now was to provide for and care for her mother-in-law. And then he blesses her, saying may she receive a full reward from the Lord “under Whose wings you have come for refuge.” (2:12) It wasn’t just that she would find enough for the two of them to subsist on, but that the Lord of this people, Israel, would reward her because she’d actually taken shelter under His protection here in this new country and He would take notice of all she had done for her mother-in-law, Naomi. Again we can see the comparison to the way the Lord blesses us, Who is able to do the exceedingly abundantly, more than we can ask or think, according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Boaz provides a meal for her during the workday alongside his harvesters. Again she was thinking of Naomi back home without lunch, so she wraps up some of her meal to take home to her later. In fact, Boaz takes his workers aside and tells them to purposefully leave extra grain for her to gather. Don’t rebuke her, don’t humiliate her, Boaz orders the workers. Providing, blessing, and protecting, Boaz is working to make their homecoming less stressful by bringing a measure to peace to the widows. What an amazing picture of our Lord, the Champion of widows!

What a wonderful turn of events this is for Ruth and we know by now that there is a Sovereign God leading and orchestrating her footsteps! The LORD had led her directly to the field of Boaz who knows all about her and Naomi’s struggles. This Boaz protects her and provides food and water as if she were one of his workers. He blesses her with extra barley that the harvesters are to leave for her gleaning and tells her to work only in his field. What an illustration of grace shown to us as sinners. Romans 5:6 tells us that when we were without strength, Christ died in our place. He provided peace with God before we were even aware we needed it, making a way to provide for our need for the day we’d accept Him as Savior. As widows we can usually testify to many ways the LORD provided for and orchestrated our steps even before our loss, preparing us, directing us, and guiding us with a Sovereign faithful hand of mercy.

Knowing we have a faithful and merciful God who is with us, who knows us, and is looking out for us, brings peace. When the stormy waves of grief unsettle us, His presence brings calm, speaking peace over us. To know Him and His many attributes of grace, providence, kindness, protection, love, power, and of justice, as well as His omniscience, omnipresence, and sovereignty, we realize that we can trust Him completely. What peace of mind and heart, soul and spirit! In Deuteronomy 32:3-4, Moses is nearing the end of his life and he is singing a song with his final sermon, “For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God. The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he!” He is our faithful Rock of Ages Whose work is perfect. We are never disappointed when we choose to trust Him for needs whether small or large and that brings peace.

Certainly, Ruth realized her blessings by the measures Boaz had taken to give her a place at the table for a meal, a source of water, and a promise of work to glean daily in his field. She possibly has no idea at the time of the protection Boaz is providing as well, but she must have felt safe because she returns day after day. This is like the message of Psalm 91:9-11 (CSB), “Because you have made the LORD—my refuge, the Most High—your dwelling place, no harm will come to you, no plague will come near your tent. For He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways.” We may not know or realize now the lengths our LORD went to providing our peace, but someday we will. Meanwhile, we can just continue to thank Him for all He is doing. And for those nights when we are restless and with wide-eyed wakefulness watch each hour pass, we can turn to Psalm 4:8, “I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you along LORD make me live in safety.”

A measure of peace was a sweet resource for the widows, just as it is today. Knowing needs will be met is a comfort and gives hope as well. How often do we express gratitude for the myriad ways the LORD has provided His peace? Jesus said in John 14:27 (ESV), “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” A gift from before the Cross, Jesus promises His Sovereign, Almighty peace. The world has temporary facsimiles of peace and tranquility, but this one has the stamp of Heaven on it. In Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV), we read “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and you minds in Christ Jesus.” When we turn over our worry to Him in prayer, and are thankful, He floods us with His unfathomable peace. And that peace will guard our hearts and minds, standing as a sentry over all those thoughts that the Enemy parades past us. All those lies the Enemy whispers to us “You can’t” or “You may as well give up because this is all life will be.” God’s peace says, Hands off her! She’s mine. And we can rest with peace like none other knowing He is in charge of all the details.

Next: A Measure of Grace