Partners for the process (Boaz’s maids)
Like many of you, my mind is an interesting place. In one day I’m mulling over a few different scriptures. Recently I took a fresh look at the Book of Ruth and my attention fell on some ladies I’d not considered before. This is a “dangerous” book because of the common carnal connotations that fly around about it.
We talk about a Boaz in general terms, without regard for the honor, substance, and integrity of the original pattern. We comment on Naomi’s transformation — from marriage and plenty to widowed, motherless and “bitter” (mara). We look at the themes of mentorship, obedience, submission, faithfulness, waiting on the Lord, process, grief, restoration and more.
Today I want us to look at the maids of Boaz. They are our partners in the process.
So she stayed close by the maids of Boaz in order to glean until the end of the barley harvest and the wheat harvest. And she lived with her mother-in-law. — Ruth 2:23 NASB
This continues to bless me and I want to offer it to you as a marker for identifying the new and somewhat sudden relationships you’re encountering.
Boaz’s maids are the people with whom:
- the ground is level (regardless of natural age, environment or circumstance, you’ve all arrived at a similar season)
- you glean for the harvest (remember, Boaz was not the end goal…protection and provision through redemption was the point)
- you identify perfectly (this partnership is not about the details of the process, but the near completion of the season)
- you learn endurance (you all are together until the end of the wheat and barley harvests)
- you prepare for harvest
- you have shared vision, whatever your planned purpose for the “wheat” or “barley”
Remember to judge nothing before the time (see 1 Corinthians 4:5), and hear the whole counsel of God before counting out new acquaintances. The repeated prayers for likeminded connections suggest that your present partners are
1) not gleaning right now,
2) not gleaning in your field, or
3) have another task.
So, the agreement and strength and partnership you need must come from new faces. We will all worry less about seeking out a cunning enemy when we remember that the sight (discernment) we need comes from the Light.
but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. – 1 John 1:7 NASB
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. – John 1:5 NASB
Selah, smile, and embrace your partners for the process! Love to all.
Blogs I Follow
The Bereans' Commentary with Shaunta D. Scroggins, Ed.D. 