And he said, Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out. So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city. (Ruth 3:15 ESV)
I’ve asked myself, “why six?” Boaz could have given Ruth out any number of measures, but he didn’t stop after one measure, nor two measures, nor three measures, he stopped at six measures. This makes me think that six measures was the maximum number of measures Boaz was able to load up in Ruth’s apron before it tore in half; or it was probably what Boaz thought was the maximum amount of weight Ruth could possibly carry without succumbing underneath the weight. Boaz’s act of kindness toward Ruth shows us what type of redeemer he is (If I just threw out too many loaded Christian words, don’t worry, I explain down below in the notes). Moreover, I want us to see that Boaz acted in good faith. He provided Ruth with a sign that he was going to do what was right by her without overwhelming her, but not cheapening her either. I believe God fills us up with all that we can carry as a sign of good faith to you and me. He gives us the maximum number of things that we can hold or juggle or carry as we live our daily lives so that when we get home at the end of the day, we know that it was God who provided not just a small amount, but an amount substantial enough to make us think. God gives us six measures of life and we carry it home. Don’t you once think it’s too little, and you definitely shouldn’t think that it’s too much. What God gives us is work and it is our job to carry it. I’m talking about blessings here, but at the same time, God never gives us more burdens than we can carry, does He? Just know that as you are walking your road of life today, you’re carrying six measures of good faith that God is redeeming you and that’s all that matters.
Notes:
- A “redeemer” in ancient Israelite culture is the male in the extended family that takes care of the widows, sisters, mothers, of an individual who passed away or died through other circumstances for the purposes of ensuring the future of the dead individual’s lineage. The act was symbolic in nature, but it essentially ensure that every family would have an inheritance despite horrible circumstances.
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