Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.JOSHUA 1:9 Evening had begun to descend when Ruth stopped gleaning. She beat out the grain that she had managed to gather. With disbelief, she examined the heap before her. She had gathered about an ephah of barley! Two weeks’ worth of wages for one day of honest labor. She wrapped the barley in her spare veil, which she had tied around her waist that morning, and hefted it against her hip. It was heavy, but such a pleasant weight to hold against one’s side. The weight of provision. Of security. As she began to walk back to Bethlehem, her thoughts lingered on Boaz. He was a landowner—a wealthy man—judging by his fine clothes, his fancy horse, and the number of his servants. Clearly, he enjoyed the respect of his people. And something more. They liked him. They were drawn to him. The smallest sign of his attention brought on smiles, as if they enjoyed being in his presence. He had an inner light that drew every man and woman under his care to him.
