Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, “May the Lord be with you.” And they said to him, “May the Lord bless you.” (Ru 2:4)

The reapers in Boaz’ field would surely have been hard workers. Reaping wheat/barley by hand or with hand tools, as in the days of Boaz, would have been a demanding and tiresome labour. But we get the impression that Boaz’ relationship with his reapers was one of reciprocal affection. They considered themselves blessed to be working in Boaz’ field. He was a good and kind master, as evidenced in their freedom to eat from their labours in the house.

At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here, that you may eat of the bread and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.” So she sat beside the reapers; and he served her roasted grain, and she ate and was satisfied and had some left. (Ru 2:14)

One might think that labour is all hard work, with no pleasure. Even Ecclesiastes reminds us that is not the case. Labour is necessary, and we can find joy in it. While Qoholet in Ecclesiastes seems to bemoan the futility of labour, he affirms that those who fear the Lord find pleasure in it, and this is their reward, at least in this life. There is a beautiful simplicity to it, in the context of a right-standing relationship with God.

The same seems to be true of Boaz’s reapers. Although the reapers’ role in the overall story of Ruth is small, and perhaps seems insignificant, I think there is much to discover. I think some of us might relate to them; we are where God has placed us, we are confident that we are working in His field, we’ve not gone out to work the field of man, but the field of God, and we are diligently, faithfully doing what He’s called us to do. It is definite labour, and though we are rewarded for it, it might seem that we are playing a relatively insignificant part in God’s greater story; that what we have to offer really isn’t all that much.

But when we step back a few hundred paces to get a bird’s-eye view of the reaper’s labour in the book of Ruth, we see something marvellous, which they would never see this side of heaven. The fruit of their labour was to bless the future great-grandmother of King David, from whose line would come into the world the eternal king and Messiah; God incarnate. Could they have ever known, as they sweat under the sun, crawling and bending in the dusty ground, with soil-stained hands and dust-covered garments, that they were playing a part in the life of the saviour of the world and completion of God’s eternal plan? Did they realise that their small portion was blessing the God of heaven and earth?

When she rose to glean, Boaz commanded his servants, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not insult her. Also you shall purposely pull out for her some grain from the bundles and leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.” (Ru 2:15-16)

Their small part was very important. They may have been labouring in that field for years, and then suddenly the word of their master came to them with a specific instruction, and all they needed to do was obey. Their obedience to that one command would make all the difference to the bigger scheme of things. Clearly, Boaz trusted them to obey him, and clearly that’s exactly what they did. They never saw the great, grand purpose within which their little role fit, but they at least caught a glimpse, even if they didn’t fully understand it. They no doubt saw that Boaz and Ruth got married, which was the end result of obedience, though it too, was only a small portion in a grander story.

Naturally, we have an inclination to want to see the fruit of our labours; we also want to benefit from them in some way. But that isn’t always how things will turn out. Some of us will see the result of our labours; we’ll experience it and be involved with what God is up to, but some of us will labour quietly away in God’s field and never know the bigger picture until we see Jesus face-to-face on the other side of the veil.

Something I particularly love about this little snippet in the bigger story is the relationship between Boaz and his reapers, and I think this unveils the most important lesson for us. Boaz greeted them in the name of the Lord! And they blessed him in the name of the Lord! To me, this shows great joy, pleasure, and even delight among them all. They were united in the one vision. The reapers were his workers, co-labouring with him in the sense that they worked with his plans, according to his vision, and were rewarded for their labour. In this context, Boaz loved them, and the reapers loved Boaz. The reapers’ satisfaction was in their relationship with Boaz, in which Boaz also enjoyed much pleasure.

May our relationship with our Kinsman Redeemer be our full and complete satisfaction. May we find all our joy, pleasure and delight in loving Him, as we serve Him faithfully, regardless of whether we see the fruit of our labours or the bigger story. May we find peace and joy in knowing that, as we co-labour with Jesus in His work and His story, the small part we play is incredibly vital to God’s grander story.