“Ruth’s Work Ethic” - 1/11/25

 

One thing (among many) that impresses me about Ruth is her willingness to work. In a time when widows were considered on the “bottom rung” of the social ladder, having no rights to property and no voice in society, Ruth sets out to work and gather that which the Lord set aside for the poor (Lev. 19:9, 23:22; Deut. 24:19-21). This was a thankless job, and when a property owner (or anyone) saw a person “gleaning the fields,” it was understood that they were among the poor.

 

We do not know the exact age of Ruth, but being younger than Naomi, she went to the fields to glean barley for her and her mother-in-law (1:22). As we know, there were no machines or other devices to make the work easier. She gathered what she could, beat the barley with a rod, and threshed it out so she and Naomi might use the grain for food (Ruth 2:17). The Bible says she gathered nearly “an ephah of barley” that day. According to modern measurements, that is close to a five-gallon bucket of grain for her day’s work! This lady was no slouch!

 

Working is something God blesses. Even in the Garden, God expected the man to work (Gen. 2:15). The apostle Paul stated, “If any would not work, neither should he eat” (II Thess. 3:10). Jeremiah proclaimed, “It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth” (Lam. 3:27). Eleven times in Scripture, Solomon warns of the foolishness of the “slothful” man. In other words, the lazy person is not blessed in the eyes of God. We again see a warning about being lazy in Romans 12:11.

 

Spiritually, we are to be active. Read James 2:18-26 and see James’ emphasis on action (works/obedience to God). Jesus is “the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him” (Heb. 5:9). The Holy Spirit said, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:14). The apostle Paul told the Ephesians to, “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Eph 4:1). Over and over again the need for action as Christians is emphasized. God tolerates no excuses!

 

Ruth went to the barley field to provide for her and Naomi. They were in a dire situation, and no excuse would do! If she did not get the barley, no one else would do it. In like manner, when it comes to our faithfulness to God, no one else can be faithful for us! No one can be saved for us. We must accept the Lord’s word in faith and then act upon it if we are to see Heaven one day (Matt. 7:24-27, 25:31-46; Heb. 11:6).

 

- Jarrod M. Jacobs