The Young Men In the Book of Ruth

The first words we hear from the young men are reciprocating words of blessing towards Boaz (v4). This reveals the true heart and respect they had for him. They had a unique closeness and fellowship with Boaz; they knew him. This is why Boaz could trust them to cater to Ruth with pure motives (v9). How close are you to your heavenly Boaz? Our closeness to our master will reveal our true heart, and only then will we be able to be used to the capacity which God desires. The reapers’ obedience depended on how they viewed their master. How do you view your Lord?

The difference between gleaning and reaping is vitally important. A gleaner’s main purpose was to gather as much from the field as possible and prepare it for themselves and others (v18). They gathered what was left after the reapers (v7). However, a reaper’s only purpose was to gather as much as possible to give to their master. Gleaning was secondary to Reaping. Often, I plunge myself into scripture with the only pursuit of finding myself sustained. Something to keep me going, something to encourage me or something to challenge me. While this is good, how much more important it is for us to give back to God in Worship. Our first aim must be to please God and out from that we will glean wonderful things to help us on our walk and to share with others.

The third thing I noticed about the reapers was how little is said about them, yet they were extremely important to Boaz. Their behind-the-scenes work was the backbone to keeping the field alive. It’s very easy as young men to be disheartened when our labour or work isn’t acknowledged by others. If we aren’t being seen to be at the forefront our pride can take a hit. But maybe we should be more like the reapers. Working in the background. Not waiting for others to congratulate us, but simply working for the glory of our heavenly master.

In 1Corinthians 12:12-31, Paul connects spiritual gifts in a local assembly with the body of Christ. What I love about this analogy is that the most important parts of the body are always the parts that no one sees. If we didn’t have lungs, hearts or livers we could never function properly and we would die. The same principle can be applied to our spiritual lives. The most important roles and gifts in a local assembly are the ones that no one sees. Usually, these people aren’t encouraged the same way people in a more public role would be. But no matter what role God gives us in our local assembly, let’s be like the reapers – men who are prepared to work in the background for the sole purpose of pleasing the Master.

Lastly, it was the reapers’ role to provide for Ruth and the other gleaners. As the young men worked for Boaz, the gleaners would follow not far behind, ready to pick up what the reapers had left. How much the young men reaped was directly proportional to how much the gleaners would receive. Are we men who are reaping enough for others to feed from too? V14 tells us Ruth was sufficed. How amazing would it be if the people in our conversations and interactions could say the same thing. They could come away from our conversations having gleaned from what we have reaped.