Spiritual Gleaning

Ruth’s gleaning teaches us God’s grace and provision for the humble. Just as she gathered freely among the sheaves, we too are invited to partake of heavenly blessings. Step into His fields, receive His Word, and grow rich in spiritual harvest today.

"Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her." — Ruth 2:15 People from the country understand gleaning. I hope this custom never disappears, so the poor always get their share of the harvest. But many who see gleaning in their parish fields every year are not yet wise enough to understand the spiritual meaning of gleaning. That is the subject today, and my text comes from the story of Ruth, known to all of you. I will use it to illustrate our case in a simple but instructive way. First, there is a great Husbandman; in Ruth’s story it was Boaz, in ours it is our heavenly Father. Second, there is a humble gleaner; Ruth was the gleaner, but she represents every believer. Third, there is a gracious permission given to Ruth: "Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her." The same permission is given to us spiritually.

In the first place, the God of the whole earth is a great Husbandman. This is true in natural things.

All farm operations happen by his power and wisdom. Man may plough the soil and sow the seed, but as Jesus said, "My Father is the farmer." — John 15:1 (ESV) He controls the clouds and the sunshine; he directs the winds and distributes dew and rain; he gives frost and heat; and through all these natural processes, he provides food for humans and animals. All this farming is for the benefit of others, never for himself. He has no need of our work. "The cattle on a thousand hills are mine," — Psalm 50:10 (ESV). The purest kindness and generosity are in God’s heart. Though all things belong to God, his works in creation and providence are not for himself, but for his creatures. This encourages us to trust him.

In spiritual matters, God is also a great Husbandman, and all his work is done for his children, so they may be nourished with the finest spiritual food. Consider the wide gospel fields our heavenly Father tends for his children. These fields are very productive. "The people of Israel shall dwell in safety; Jacob shall dwell securely in a land of grain and wine; his heavens shall drop down dew."

— Deuteronomy 33:28 (ESV) Every field God tends yields a plentiful harvest; there are no failures or famines with him.

One part of his farm is called the Doctrine field. What full sheaves of fine wheat are there! Those allowed to glean here will gather more than enough, for the land yields abundantly. Look at the sheaf of election, full of heavy, strong ears of wheat, like Pharaoh saw in his dream. There is the sheaf of perseverance, where each ear represents the promise that God will finish what he started.

If we do not have faith to partake of these, we may glean from the sheaves of redemption by the blood of Christ. Many who cannot feed on election or perseverance can feed on the atonement and rejoice in substitution. These rich sheaves, when meditated on, provide royal food for the Lord’s family.

I wonder why some of God’s stewards lock the gate of this field, as if they think it dangerous. I want my people not just to glean here, but to carry home wagon-loads, for they cannot be too well fed when truth is the food. Are my fellow workers afraid that God’s people will become arrogant if they get too much food? I fear they may starve if the bread of sound doctrine is withheld. If we love the commandments and warnings of God, we need not fear the doctrines; we should study and feed on them with joy. The doctrines of God’s distinguishing grace must be presented alongside the rest of the Word, and those pulpits that exclude these truths are incomplete. Do not keep God’s people out of this field. Open the gate and come in, all of you children of God! In my Master’s field nothing grows that will harm you. Gospel doctrine is always safe. You can feast until you are full with no harm. Fear no revealed truth. Fear ignorance, not holy knowledge. Grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Everything taught in God’s Word is meant for study; neglect nothing. Visit the Doctrine field daily and glean with the utmost diligence.

2. The great Husbandman has another field called the Promise field; I need not speak much of it, for I hope you often enter it and gather from it. Let us just take an ear or two from one of the sheaves and show them to you so that you may be encouraged to stay there all day and carry home a rich harvest at night. Here is an ear: "The mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed," (Isaiah 54:10).

Here is another: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you," (Isaiah 43:2). Here is another; it is small in stalk but heavy with grain: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness," (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Another is long in the stalk but very rich in corn: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also," (John 14:1–3). What a promise that is—"I will come again." Truly, beloved, we can say of the Promise field what cannot be said of any field in all England: it is so rich that it could not be richer, and it has so many ears of grain that you could not fit another in. As the poet sings: "What more can he say, than to you he hath said,— You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?"

Glean in that field, you poor and needy ones, and never think you are intruding. The whole field is yours; every ear is yours. You may gather from the sheaves themselves, and the more you take, the more you may.

Then there is the Ordinance field; a great deal of good wheat grows here. The field of Baptism has been especially fruitful to some of us, for it has shown us our death, burial, and resurrection in Christ, and so has encouraged and instructed us. It has been good for us to declare ourselves on the Lord’s side, and we have found that keeping our Lord’s commandments brings great reward.

But I will not delay you long in this field, for some think the soil is damp; I wish them more light and more grace. We will move on to the field of the Lord’s Supper, where the best of the Lord’s grain grows. What rich things we have tasted in this choice spot! Have we not there enjoyed the sweetest and most sustaining spiritual food? Across the whole estate no field rivals this central and crown jewel; this is the King’s Acre. Gospel gleaner, remain in this field; glean in it on the first day of each week, and expect to see your Lord there; for it is written, "And he was recognised by them in the breaking of the bread," (Luke 24:35). The heavenly Husbandman has a field on a hill, which is equal to the best of the others, though it may not surpass them.

You cannot truly enter any of the other fields unless you pass through this one; the road to the other fields lies through this hill farm, called Fellowship and Communion with Christ. This is the field for the Lord’s choicest ones to glean in. Some of you have only passed through it quickly, not staying long enough; but those who know how to dwell here, truly to live here, will spend their hours most profitably and pleasantly.

Only as we have fellowship and communion with Christ do ordinances, doctrines, and promises profit us. All else is dry and barren unless we enjoy Christ’s love, bear his likeness, dwell continually with him, and rejoice in his love. I regret that few Christians value this field; it is enough for them to be sound in doctrine and fairly correct in practice. They care far less than they should about intimate interaction with Christ by the Holy Spirit. If we gleaned in this field, we would have far fewer tempers, far less pride, and far less sloth. This is a sheltered, protected field, and in it you will find food better than even angels eat; indeed, you will find Jesus himself as the bread from heaven. Blessed field, may we visit it every day. The Master leaves the gate wide open for all believers; let us enter and gather the golden ears until we can carry no more. Thus we have seen the great Husbandman in his fields; let us rejoice that we have such a Husbandman near and such fields to glean in.

II. And now, secondly, we have a humble gleaner. Ruth was a gleaner, and may serve as an example of what every believer should be in the fields of God.

1. The believer is a favoured gleaner, for they may take home as much as they can carry; everything is freely given by the Lord. I use the metaphor of a gleaner because few Christians go beyond it, though they are free to do so if they are able. Some may ask, why does the believer not reap the entire field? I answer, they are welcome to do so if they can; no good thing will the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly. If your faith is like a large wagon and can carry the whole field, you have full permission to take it. Alas, our faith is small; we glean rather than reap. We are limited, not God. May you all grow beyond the metaphor and return home with your sheaves.

2. Again, a gleaner must endure toil and fatigue. She rises early and goes to a field; if it is closed, she moves to another; if that one is gone over, she hurries further still. All day she bends down, gathering ears one by one, seldom sitting to rest. She returns home at night, heavily laden if the field was good. Beloved, let us do the same in seeking spiritual food.

Let us not fear a little fatigue in the Master’s fields; if the gleaning is rich, we must not weary in gathering the precious grain, for the reward is great. I know of a friend who walks five miles every Sunday to hear the gospel, and the same distance back. Another considers ten miles a small matter; they are wise, for no effort is too great to hear the pure Word of God. A gleaner does not expect the ears to come to her; she knows gleaning is hard work.

We may not always find the best field nearby; we may need to journey to the far end of the parish. But gleaners must not be choosy; wherever the Lord sends the gospel, there we must go.

3. Every ear the gleaner gathers requires stooping. Proud people rarely profit from the Word because they expect the corn to be lifted for them. They admire the preacher who holds truth high, out of reach, but this is no great feat. A preacher’s job is to place truth within reach of all, children and adults. Handfuls may be deliberately given to poor gleaners, and they do not mind stooping to gather them. If we only preach to the educated, the wise understand, but the illiterate do not. Preach simply to the poor, and others can understand if they choose. Those who will not stoop for plain truth should give up gleaning. I would learn from a child if it helped me understand the gospel. The gleaning in the Lord’s field is rich enough to make hard labour worthwhile. Hungry souls know this; they must not be hindered. We stoop through prayer, humility, and confession, and gather daily bread for our souls.

4. The gleaner gathers ear by ear; occasionally handfuls fall, but usually it is straw by straw.

Ruth was favoured with handfuls, but normally one stoops, gathers, and stoops again.

Where abundance is found, go there; if not, rejoice in gathering one ear at a time. Some only attend their favourite minister and refuse to hear others; remember, "not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together," (Hebrews 10:25). Do not deprive your soul of food. If you cannot gather much at once, gather little by little. Be content to learn here a little and there a little; otherwise, you will be half-starved and then return to the despised minister to pick up what his field yields.

5. The gleaner keeps what she gathers in her hand; she does not drop it. Some hear a good thought but rush for the next, losing all before. At the end, a handful falls, and they forget all prior. A sermon is like a field; gather, tie up, and carry home, but do not lose it to idle talk. I knew a man who rushed home after a sermon, but deacons discussing it destroyed all he remembered. Avoid such losses; walk home quietly and keep your gleanings. Be like a miser who keeps all he gathers; do not lose your eternal riches through frivolous conversation.

6. Then the gleaner threshes the wheat. Threshing a sermon is wise, whoever preached it, for there is always some straw. Many "thresh" by criticising the preacher, but better is to separate truth from straw through meditation and prayer. Lay the sermon on the floor of reflection, beat it with prayer, and the wheat is yours. Do not neglect this; if a gleaner stores corn without threshing, mice will consume it. Satan, sin, and the world may waste an unprocessed sermon. He who threshes carefully and separates truth from straw becomes a wise hearer, feeding on what he hears.

7. Finally, the gleaner winnows the corn. Ruth did this in the field; we may need to do it at home. She left the chaff behind; we should separate precious from worthless, leaving the chaff. Do not take home trivialities or odd remarks from ministers. Ask, "What did the preacher say that was truly worth hearing?" Often the answer is, "I do not recall." They have sifted the wheat and brought home chaff. Follow the opposite rule: drop the straw, retain the good grain. Judge carefully, reject false teaching, and keep true doctrine. This is the art of heavenly gleaning. May the Lord grant us wisdom so we may be "rich for all the purposes of happiness," and our mouths be satisfied with good things, our youth renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:5).

III. And now, finally, here is a gracious permission given: "Let her glean among the sheaves and reproach her not" (Ruth 2:15). Ruth had no right to go among the sheaves until Boaz gave her permission by saying, "Let her do it." Being allowed to gather in the part of the field where the wheat was freshly cut, and none yet collected, was a great favour. But Boaz also whispered that handfuls would be deliberately dropped for her—an even greater favour. Boaz had a secret affection for Ruth, and in the same way, beloved, it is because of our Lord's eternal love that he lets us enter his best fields and glean among the sheaves. His grace allows us to receive blessings of doctrine, promises, and experience. All heavenly blessings are given freely by God; we have no right to them of ourselves—our portion is from his sovereign grace.

Let us notice that, while these meal-times come without warning, there are certain seasons when we may expect them.

Eastern reapers generally sit under the shelter of a tree or a booth to take refreshment during the heat of the day. Likewise, when trouble, hardship, persecution, and loss press most heavily upon us, it is often then that the Lord gives us the sweetest comforts. We must labour until the hot sun causes sweat to fall from our faces before we can expect rest; we must bear the burden and heat of the day before we are invited to the special meals which the Lord prepares for his true workers.

When your day of trouble is hottest, then the love of Jesus will feel the sweetest.

These meal-times sometimes occur before a trial. Elijah was fed under a broom tree because he was to travel forty days and forty nights in the strength of that food. (“And as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.’ And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, ‘Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.’ And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.” — 1 Kings 19:5–8 ESV) If you receive extraordinary seasons of communion with Jesus, be ready: you may be entering a long trial ahead. Just as a ship taking on abundant provisions is preparing for a distant journey, so these rich spiritual seasons prepare you for more difficult times. Sweet nourishment readies the soul for stern conflict.

Times of refreshing can also come after service or hardship. Christ was tempted by the devil, and afterward angels came and ministered to him. (“Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.” — Matthew 4:11 ESV) Jacob wrestled with God, and afterward hosts of angels met him. (“So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, ‘For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.’ … And Jacob called the name of the place Mahanaim.”

— Genesis 32:30–31 ESV) Abraham defeated the kings and returned from battle, and then Melchizedek met him with bread and wine. (“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’ And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” — Genesis 14:18–20 ESV) After conflict there is contentment, after battle there is a banquet. When you have served your Lord faithfully, you may sit down, and your Master will attend you.

Let worldly people say what they will about religion being hard, we do not find it so. Reaping for Christ has its difficulties, but the bread we eat is heavenly sweet, and the wine we drink comes from the choicest vineyards.

“I would not change my bless’d estate For all the world calls good or great; And while my faith can keep her hold, I envy not the sinner’s gold.”

Now we turn to another point: the gleaner is affectionately invited to these meals. That is, the poor, trembling stranger who is too weak to reap, who has no right in the field except by mercy — the poor sinner aware of their faults, with little hope and little joy — is invited to the feast of love.

In our text the gleaner is invited to come: “At meal-time come thou hither.” (Ruth 2:14 ESV) Do not let shame about your clothes, character, poverty, or physical weakness keep you from the place of sacred feasting. “At meal-time come thou hither.” I knew a deaf woman who could never hear a sound, yet she was always in God’s house. When asked why, she said that a friend had given her the text, and God gave her many sweet thoughts of it as she sat with his people. She felt that, as a believer, she should honour God by being present with his people. She enjoyed the best company — the presence of God, holy angels, and the saints. If she found pleasure in coming, then those who can hear should never stay away. Although we feel our unworthiness, we should desire to be in God’s house, like the sick waiting at the pool of Bethesda, hoping to be healed. (“Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades… a multitude of invalids… waiting for the water to be stirred.” — John 5:2-3 ESV) Trembling soul, never let the devil’s temptations keep you from the assembly of worshippers: “At meal-time come thou hither.”

Moreover, she was invited not only to come but to eat. Whatever is sweet and comforting in the Word of God, those who are broken in spirit are invited to share it. “For Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (“…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” — 1 Timothy 1:15) …and “…Christ died for the ungodly.” (“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8) You may be saying in your heart, “O that I could eat the children’s bread!” — and you may. You have no right except the Lord’s invitation.

“Let not conscience make you linger, Nor of fitness fondly dream.”

Since he bids you come, take him at his word. If there is a promise, believe it. If there is encouragement, accept it, and let its sweetness be yours.

Further, she was urged not only to eat but to dip her morsel in the vinegar. This is not sourness, but a mild refreshing drink used with bread in the fields — something like watered wine or fruit juice that adds flavour. Beloved, the Lord’s workers have sauce with their bread: not merely doctrines, but the holy joy that accompanies them. For example, the doctrine of election is like bread; the joy of knowing “…he chose us in him before the foundation of the world.” (“…even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world…” — Ephesians 1:4 ESV) is the sauce to dip the bread in. You, poor gleaner, are invited to dip your morsel too.

I used to hear people sing Toplady’s hymn: “A debtor to mercy alone, Of covenant mercy I sing… Yes, I to the end shall endure, As sure as the earnest is given; More happy, but not more secure, The glorified spirits in heaven.” At first I could not sing it — it was too sweet. But I thank God I have ventured to dip my morsel in it, and now I hardly like my bread without it. I want every trembling sinner to partake of the comforting truths of God’s Word, even those called “high doctrine.” Believe the simple truths first, then enjoy the richer truths.

Perhaps the gleaner hesitates, saying, “I have no right; I am not a reaper.” But Jesus invites you.

Come! Take his invitation and draw near. You may say, “I am weak; I hardly get any grain.” Still, Jesus invites you. You may say, “I am a stranger, a sinner.” But Jesus knows your sin and invites you anyway. You may say, “I feel I do not deserve it.” Jesus bids you come. Your doubt is more presumptuous than your faith.

There is enough grace for you. Jesus’ mercy is not like the sea being drained; it never runs out.

Come now. Jesus loves you and takes delight in seeing you feast at his table. Here is a secret: he intends to be married to you. If you become his spouse, the fields will be yours, for a wife shares all her husband’s inheritance. All the promises that are “yes and amen in Christ” (“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him…” — 2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV) belong to you in Christ now. Though a stranger, Jesus loves you: “…he came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” (Matthew 11:19 ESV — showing Jesus' heart for sinners). The Good Shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to seek the lost sheep.

(“…which one of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them…” — Luke 15:4 ESV) The prodigal’s return is celebrated in heaven. (“…for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” — Luke 15:24 ESV) Come, trembling gleaner! Jesus invites you: “At meal-time come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar.” — Ruth 2:14 ESV The main reason Boaz allowed Ruth to glean among the sheaves was love. He wanted her there because he had a deep affection for her, which he later revealed more fully. Similarly, the Lord lets his people glean because he loves them. Did you enjoy a soul-enriching time in the fields the last Sabbath? Did you return home with your sack full, like Joseph's brothers returning from Egypt?

Were you satisfied with the abundance? That was your Master’s goodness. Look at all your spiritual blessings as proof of his eternal love. When you remember that each sweet experience, each high enjoyment of the Spirit, comes from his love, your spiritual “corn” will grind more easily and taste all the sweeter. Your joys, your moments of deep spiritual delight, are all evidence of divine affection—be doubly glad for them.

Another reason Boaz let Ruth glean was that he was her relative. In the same way, our Lord gives us special blessings because he is our kinsman.

Jesus, our Redeemer, is our closest relative, bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. It is a wonderful mystery that Christ is the Husband of his Church. He may rightly let his bride glean among the sheaves because all that he owns is already hers. Her interests and his are one. He can say, “Beloved, take all you please; I am not poorer because you share my fullness. You are mine, and all I have is yours.”

So, my friends, enrich yourselves from what is your Lord’s. Go gleaning spiritually as often as you can. Never miss an opportunity to gather a blessing. Glean at the mercy seat, in private meditation, in reading godly books, or in company with faithful Christians. Even if you can only take a small handful, it is better than nothing. Those of you busy with work and cares, if you can spend just five minutes in the Lord’s field, do it. If you cannot carry a sheaf, carry an ear; if you cannot find an ear, pick up even a single grain. Gather as much as you can.

One more point: never be afraid to glean. Have faith and claim God’s promises for yourself. Jesus delights to see you using his gifts freely. His invitation is, "Eat abundantly, and drink, yes, drink abundantly, O beloved" (Isaiah 55:1). When you find a rich promise, live upon it. Draw the honey from Scripture and enjoy its sweetness. If you discover a remarkable blessing, carry it away joyfully. You cannot believe too much about the Lord; do not be satisfied with a meagre portion when all heaven’s granaries are open to you. Glean with diligence and confidence, knowing that he who owns the fields and the sheaves watches over you in love and will one day unite you with himself in eternal glory. Happy is the gleaner who finds eternal love and eternal life in the fields she enters!

Meal-time in the Cornfields "And Boaz said to her, 'Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your morsel in the vinegar.' So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed her roasted grain, and she ate and was satisfied, and left" (Ruth 2:14). We go to the cornfields not just to glean, but to rest with the reapers, sitting under a wide-spreading tree to refresh ourselves. May timid gleaners accept this invitation and have the confidence to enjoy the meal fully, and to carry some home to share with needy friends.

First, God’s reapers have their meal-times. Those who work for God will find him a good Master.

He cares for oxen, and he commanded Israel, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain" (Deuteronomy 25:4).

How much more does he care for his servants! "He gives food to those who fear him; he will ever be mindful of his covenant" (Psalm 111:5). Reapers in Jesus’ fields receive not only a final reward, but also comforts along the way. God rewards his servants twice: first in the work itself, and second in the joy it produces. He gives such joy in serving him that they can say, "We delight to do your will, O Lord" (Psalm 40:8). Heaven is serving God day and night, and we get a taste of that by serving him earnestly on earth.

God also ordains special meal-times when his servants gather to hear the Word. When the Lord blesses ministers, they act like the disciples of old: receiving loaves and fish from Jesus and distributing them to the people. We cannot feed a soul by ourselves, but with the Lord, even thousands are provided for. You know what it is to sit under the Word with delight, finding the teaching sweet to your soul. When doctrines of grace are explained clearly, when Christ is lifted up, when the Spirit’s work is remembered, and the Father’s purpose honoured, the table is rich and all God’s children are satisfied.

Often, too, God appoints private meal-times in reading and meditation. "His paths drop fatness" (Psalm 65:11). Nothing nourishes the believer more than meditating on the Word. Men grow slowly in the faith because they chew the truth too little. Cattle must chew the cud; it is not what they crop that nourishes, but what they digest. We must turn the truth over and over in our hearts to draw nourishment. Private devotion is a land of milk and honey, a paradise yielding spiritual fruits and delights. No earthly feast can compare. Meditation on the Word offers green pastures, still waters, and joy exceeding honey. These private times of prayer and reflection are refreshing, like reapers sitting at midday with their Master. Many have found the Bible to be food, drink, and company when all else failed.

One specially ordained meal-time occurs at least weekly—the Lord’s Supper. There we have a literal and spiritual meal. Bread and wine symbolise Christ’s body and blood, which give everlasting life: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day" (John 6:54). Oh, the sweet experiences we have had at the Lord’s Supper! If some realised the blessing of feeding on Christ in this ordinance, they would not neglect fellowship with the Church. There is great reward in keeping the Master’s commandments, and loss in neglecting them. Christ is not bound to the sacramental table, yet "if you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15) reminds us that he meets us there.

At the table, our soul ascends from symbol to reality; we eat spiritual bread and lean our head on Jesus’ bosom: "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love" (Song of Solomon 2:4).

Besides these regular meal-times, God also gives surprise seasons of grace. While walking, we feel a sudden outpouring of love; in business, our hearts are lifted and dance like spring streams.

Even on sick beds, tender grace can make our trials sweet. In the morning, Christ drops thoughts into our minds like dew; in the evening, meditation refreshes us; in the night watches, he becomes our song.

God’s reapers work hard, but they find comfort when they rest and eat of their Master’s rich provision. Then, strengthened, they rise again to reap in the heat of the day.

Now, thirdly—and here is a very sweet point in the story—Boaz reached her the parched corn. She did “come and eat” (Ruth 2:14 ESV). Where did she sit? Note carefully that she “sat beside the reapers” (Ruth 2:14 ESV). She did not feel that she was one of them. Like some of you who do not approach the Lord’s Supper but sit and watch, you are sitting “beside the reapers”. You fear that you are not God’s people, yet you love them, and so you sit beside them. If there is a blessing to be had and you cannot reach it fully, you will sit as close as possible to those who do receive it.

And while she was sitting there, what happened? Did she reach out and take the food herself? No, it is written, “He reached her the parched corn” (Ruth 2:14 ESV). That is the point: only the Lord of the harvest can give the choicest spiritual refreshment. I can give the invitation in my Master’s name, sincerely and affectionately, yet none will come until the Spirit draws them. No trembling heart accepts divine blessing at my bidding alone. Only if the King himself draws near and reaches the parched corn will it be received. How does He do this? Through His gracious Spirit, He first inspires your faith. You may fear that a sinner like you can never be “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6 ESV), yet the Spirit breathes life into your hope, turning it into confident faith, which says, “Yes, my beloved is mine, and His desire is toward me” (Song of Solomon 7:10 ESV).

Having done this, the Saviour does more: He pours the love of God into your heart. The love of Christ is like sweet perfume in a box. Only He knows how to open the box and release the fragrance. He personally sheds the love of God into the soul.

But Jesus does more still: He reaches the parched corn with His own hand when He gives us close fellowship with Himself. Do not think this is a dream; there truly is such a thing as speaking with Christ today. As certainly as you may converse with a close friend or find comfort with a beloved companion, so surely can you commune with Jesus and delight in the presence of Immanuel. He is not a far-off Saviour; He is near. His Word is in our mouths and hearts, and we walk with Him today as the elect did of old, and commune with Him as His apostles did on earth—spiritually, yet truly.

Yet again, the Lord Jesus reaches the parched corn when the Spirit gives the internal witness that we are “born of God” (1 John 5:1 ESV). A believer may know their salvation beyond all doubt.

Just as Philip de Morny said in his day, the Spirit can make salvation as clear to us as a geometric proof. Just as clearly as two and two make four, we may “know that we have passed from death to life” (1 John 3:14 ESV). The sun in the sky is not more certain to the eye than salvation is to a heart assured by the Spirit.

Now let poor Ruth’s trembling prayer rise: Lord, reach me the parched corn! “Show me a sign for good; deal bountifully with your servant; draw me, that I may run after you” (Psalm 86:17 ESV; Song of Solomon 1:4 ESV). Lord, pour Your love into my heart!

“Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, with all thy quickening powers, come, shed abroad a Saviour’s love, and that shall kindle ours.”

There is no access to Christ except by Christ revealing Himself to us. After Boaz had reached the parched corn, we are told that “she ate and was satisfied, and she kept some back” (Ruth 2:14 ESV). So shall it be with every Ruth. Every penitent shall become a believer, every mourner a singer. There may be long periods of conviction and hesitation, but a time will come when the soul decides for the Lord, saying, “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16 ESV). “I will go as I am to Jesus. I will not play with my buts and ifs. Since He bids me believe that He died for me, I will trust His cross for my salvation.” When this happens, you will be satisfied. Your mind will be filled with the precious truths Christ reveals; your heart content in Jesus as the altogether lovely one; your hope secure, for whom have you in heaven but Christ?

Your desires will be met, for what can satisfy more than “to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings” (Philippians 3:10 ESV)?

“She ate and was satisfied” (Ruth 2:14 ESV). Some of us have had deep draughts of Christ’s love, thinking we could drink Him all in, only to leave much behind. We have feasted with a ravenous appetite at the table of the Lord’s love, saying, “Nothing but the infinite can satisfy me,” and yet that infinite has been granted. Even as sinners, we find our sins forgiven and abundance of merit in Jesus. Sweet portions of God’s Word remain for us to enjoy later. As Jesus said, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now” (John 16:12 ESV). There is a higher fellowship, a deeper intimacy, a greater height of communion with Christ still to come.

A little later, we see what Ruth did with her leftovers. She took them home to Naomi (Ruth 2:14 ESV). Likewise, you who think you have no claim to the Lord’s blessings shall be allowed to eat, be satisfied, and even share with those hungry at home. Young believers, cultivate this habit: when you hear a sermon, think of someone you love who cannot attend, and carry home something for them. Love as you have been loved. Remember “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39 ESV). You cannot truly love your neighbour’s soul if you do not love God and receive His grace first. Take home your gleanings for those who cannot gather for themselves.

I know no kinder invitation than this: “Come, and welcome to Jesus.” May the Lord reach a handful of parched corn to you if you are a trembling sinner, and fill you until you are fully satisfied.