Ruth learns the secret of rest

Naomi engages her thoughts with Boaz

First let us note the instruction that Ruth receives from Naomi (vv. 1-5). Ruth learns the secret of rest in order that it may be well with her. First Naomi engages her thoughts with Boaz, telling her who he is, and what he is doing. She says, “He is of our kindred.” She says as it were, “He is ours and we have a claim upon him.” And we can say that Christ is ours, for has He not become flesh and dwelt among us, and died for us, and as risen He calls us His brethren? He can say to Mary, “Go to my brethren, and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father; and to my God and to your God.

Further, Naomi tells Ruth what he is doing; “Behold he winnoweth barley tonight in the threshing floor.” And, if we may so say, all through the long dark night, our Kinsman, our Boaz, has been winnowing barley. The Lord Jesus is not occupied with the chaff today. He will deal in judgment with the chaff in a coming day, but at this moment He is occupied with His own,” He is winnowing barley.” In other words He is sanctifying the Church, in view of presenting the Church to Himself not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing. The Lord on high is engaged with His own in view of the coming day.

The suited condition for the company of Boaz

Having reminded Ruth of her claim upon Boaz, Naomi proceeds to instruct her as to the suited condition for the company of Boaz. Realising that we are of Christ’s kindred-that we belong to Him and He is for us – we shall surely desire His company. The conscious sense of His presence, however, calls for a suited condition of soul set forth in picture by Naomi’s instructions to Ruth, when she says, “Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee.”

Wash thyself

The first necessity – to “wash thyself” – carries our thoughts to the feet washing of John 13. John must first have his feet washed before he can lean on Jesus’ bosom. Feet washing must come before heart resting. The Lord had to say to Peter, “If I wash thee not thou hast no part with Me.” Part in Him we have through His work, but to have part with Him – to enjoy communion with Him in the home to which He has gone – we must have our feet washed, and in this alas, we are so often careless. We allow the defiling influences of the world to creep in and drag our affections down to the things of the earth. Neglecting feet washing the defilements increase until our minds are so clogged, and our affections so dulled that communion with Christ becomes a rare or unknown thing. Let us heed the Lord’s warning words, “If ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them.” It would not have been enough for Ruth to accept the instruction to wash; she must carry it out. So too, the good of John 13 does not lie in the knowledge of the truth but in its practice.

Anointing is positive

But more is needed: having washed, Ruth is to anoint herself. It is not enough to cleanse the mind from defiling influences, but we need to remember the Apostle’s exhortation, “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are noble, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think on these things.” Washing is negative; it removes defilement. Anointing is positive, it leaves a sweet odour. Not only do we need to have our minds and affections cleansed from defiling influences, but to have them occupied with the things of Christ that there may be about us an odour of Christ that is suited to the company of Christ.

Put thy raiment upon thee

Following the anointing, Naomi says, “Put thy raiment upon thee.” Does not this speak of the fine linen which is the practical righteousness of the saints? If the eighth verse of Philippians 4 speaks of the anointing, does not the following verse give us the answer to the raiment – the practical righteousness? There the Apostle says, “Those things which ye have both learned and received, and heard and seen in me do.” The keyword in Philippians 4:8 is “think”: the keyword of verse 9 is “do”. Had we a deeper sense of the loveliness of Christ should we not covet with more earnest desire His company and the conscious sense of His presence? And such desires would lead to more exercise that our thoughts and affections, our words and ways, might be kept from all defiling influences, and engaged with that which is suited to Christ.

Sit in His presence

Having become suited to the presence of Boaz, Ruth’s course is plain. She is to lie down at the feet of Boaz and listen to his words, as Naomi says, “He will tell thee what thou shalt do.” Does this not carry us in thought to that lovely scene at Bethany described in Luke 10, where we read of Mary, that she “sat at Jesus” feet and heard His word.” Is not this the great lack today! In the hurry and bustle of life there is little time for being alone with the Lord to hear His word. Nevertheless the Lord says it is the “one thing needful”. May we hear the voice of the Lord through Naomi, and like Ruth answer, “All that thou sayest unto me I will do.” Thus “washed”, “anointed”, and clothed may we sit in His presence and hear His word.