Ruth: A Story Of Redemption By Cailin Leacock Exemplo

At His Table

In the second chapter, Ruth has arrived in Bethlehem and gone to gather grain in a nearby field. She meets Boaz, who shows her favor. Later, Ruth, the Moabite stranger, is invited to sit and eat at Boaz’s table. This is an incredibly huge honor and it would no doubt have been a surprise to her. Ruth is personally invited by Boaz, the master!

A meal was a very significant time. Unlike today, it was not a rushed affair just to ensure we nourish our bodies:

• Eating a meal together was an intimate time of fellowship and communion (see Luke 22: The Last Supper)

• Eating together was a sign of friendship (see Luke 19: Jesus and Zacchaeus)

• A meal was a place of healing and restoration (see 2 Samuel 9: David and Mephibosheth)

In biblical times, at harvest time a booth or little hut was set up in the fields. This booth was also known as a “sukkah”. It provided a place for the workers in the field to come and eat and rest. It was customary for the owner of the field to provide a meal for his workers, and for anyone else working the field (i.e. strangers). This booth paints a beautiful picture of the Church today: a place where we can come and be refreshed after being out in the “harvest field”. 

In the story of Ruth, we see that she had so much food that she was able to take some back to Naomi. This, too, should be the case for us—we should leave church with more than enough to give and bless others with what we have received for ourselves: a cup overflowing.

Have you taken up His invitation to sit at His table? You might have received Jesus as the Lord of your life, but do you have an intimate friendship with Him?