She Gleaned in the Field After the Reapers

God’s name is “Wonderful,” and He deals with us in wondrous ways. Ruth, who was poor in spirit as well as in earthly goods, went and gathered the ears that the reapers graciously let fall to the ground. She was in dire need of them for her own sustenance as well as for her dear, old mother-in-law, Naomi. She didn’t even consider the possibility that she would soon be the mistress of the farm and that even though she was a Gentile woman, she would nevertheless become the ancestress of the hope of Israel, our Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s way with us goes through poverty and tribulations. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The elect and faithful bear this worthiness with them in the midst of their poverty. A poor person is unassailable; he cannot be ruined even if you plundered him. Blessed is each soul that continues to be poor in spirit. He proceeds securely and victoriously toward the land where thieves and robbers cannot break in and steal. He sends all his treasures and jewels ahead of him that he has stored up in his spirit, and he himself will follow them to be where his heart and his treasures are well preserved.

A poor person has no strength; therefore he has to rely and depend on God’s power. When I am weak, then I am strong. The poor in spirit eat humbly the grain from the ears which the reapers have left behind; thus they become stronger in worthiness through the strength they have gained than the reapers who give of their abundance. The poor are thankful for everything, which is evidence that true poverty is the right relationship to God.

Ruth occupied the lowest place. She gleaned after the reapers, which was the custom for poor people. He who sits in the lowest place can go only in one direction: higher up.

One must also be modest in God’s field and occupy the lowest place. It is God’s business to exalt someone in His time. We read that Jesus humbled Himself. What a glorious place that is! Free from all anxiety and human glory. No one can harm you, for everyone wants to go up and advance on a different way. Ruth had a mind to sit in the lowest place; she was content to be there. She was not like the many who want to lead and command in the church. She was satisfied with eating the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table, for she possessed a peace that surpasses all understanding. She was saved from begrudging someone his worthiness. Blessed is everyone who begins in the lowly places. Such a soul has a future and a hope, for he trusts in His God who is mighty to raise the poor from the dust and set them among princes.