Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.
Barley harvest is normally between March to April in the Mediterranean regions. So the two widows Naomi and her Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth would have returned to Bethlehem in spring during the barley harvest. Ruth went into the fields to glean barley that was left for the impoverished. “When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. Leave it for the poor and the foreigners living among you.” (Leviticus 23:22). She gleaned and gathered grains in the field of a man by the name of Boaz.
There was no hope for a new beginning in the life of Ruth as the Jews were prohibited to marry a Moabite (Deuteronomy 23:4). Moabites practiced detestable idol worship including child sacrifice. The Lord God prohibited intermarriage to protect His children from conforming to idol worship and despicable pagan practices. However, Ruth was a radical convert; she said, ‘Your people will be my people and your God my God’ (Ruth 1:16b). Hence her love for God overruled the Mosaic Law.
The faith and trust in the Almighty God turned the sorrow of this outcast into joy. Her gleaning in spring ended with a glorious abundant summer. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy (Psalm 126:5). Barley harvest was normally for two months and at the end of the harvest, Boaz the kinsman redeemer, a relative of her dead husband proposed to marry her and give her a new life.
Those who trust in the Lord will sow prayers with tears and turmoil but will reap an abundant harvest. Don’t give up praying, interceding and kneeling when the going gets tough; ‘breakthrough is coming’!
Summer Is Coming:
1. Glean: Ruth was an outcast who was ostracized by the Jews yet she did not complain but resorted to gleaning. If a situation is out of control and all you can do is just pray, go on your knees faithfully. Gleaning brought overflowing blessing to Ruth and so will our kneeling and praying.
2. Give: Ruth not only gleaned but she had a heart to give. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough (Ruth 2:18b). While you are waiting for your breakthrough, pray, petition and care for others. Sharing the burden of others while we ourselves are hurting increases the favour of God in our lives.
3. Gift: Those who trust in the Lord will be blessed with golden summer, spiritual gifts, brand new beginnings and breakthroughs.
Sowing in prayer, perseverance and patience will bring the bountiful yield in Golden Summer.
Psalm 30:5b Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Prayer: Father God, help me to be persistent in praying and trusting in you as those who trust in you will be blessed with gifts and glorious new beginnings. Amen.
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