Daily devotional
July 17 - Almost picture perfect
“So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests.” - Ruth 2:23a
Scripture reading: Acts 2:1-13
The scene is almost picture perfect. Essentially Naomi says to Ruth, “This is good Ruth. The LORD is clearly providing through Boaz. Stick with his young women. It’s clearly the safest place for you to be, and God’s provision through Him is plentiful.” Indeed, almost picture perfect. So that’s what Ruth does. She sticks close to Boaz’s young women. She does so until the “end of the barley and wheat harvests.”
In chapter 1:22 Scripture notes that they came back to Bethlehem “at the beginning of the barley harvest.” Between then and today’s verse equates to seven weeks. Seven weeks of God’s wonderful covenant love is shown through gleaning in Boaz’s fields. Seven weeks! On the Jewish calendar that brings us to the feast of weeks, otherwise known as the feast of Pentecost. That’s the Old Testament feast that was fulfilled in the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2.
Ruth is busy for seven weeks until the end of the harvest. Seven weeks leading up to the feast of weeks, Pentecost. And in every sheaf she picks up from Boaz’s fields she, the foreigner, the Moabite, is doing what God is going to do after Pentecost. She herself, you might say, is a living example of exactly what God promises to do through the pouring out of His Spirit. That is, bring in His people from every tribe and nation and tongue.
Suggestions for prayer
Pray for the work of missionaries as they seek to bring God’s word to the many tribes, nations and tongues of this world.
Since 2019, Rev. Rodney Vermeulen has served the Attercliffe Canadian Reformed Church near Dunnville, Ontario, Canada. He, his wife, children and grandchildren are deeply grateful for the blessing of daily living under the shelter of God’s wings. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
