Six Measures of Barley

On good Friday I made a soup of chicken and barley from a recipe I had found in the newspaper. At the time, I didn’ t think about the Scripture, but later I remembered the story of Ruth: And Boaz said, ‘Bring the mantle you are wearing and hold it out.’ So she held it out, and he measured out six measures of barley, and laid it upon her; then she went into the city.” Ruth told Naomi, her mother-in-law, “These six measures of barley he gave me, for he said, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.”’ (Ruth 3:15 &17)

The gift of the barley was more than a simple kindness. Boaz had agreed to be a “kinsman redeemer”: for the widowed Ruth, by becoming her husband. Ruth had been gleaning in his fields for days and had been able to secure a generous amount of barley, but this gift was a sign of commitment to Naomi that Boaz would keep faith and marry Ruth. Neither Ruth nor Naomi asked for this barley; it was Boaz’ initiative alone.

They did marry, and their son Obed grew up to be the grandfather of David. The story of Ruth has delighted readers for thousands of years. It is a story illuminated by grace and reflecting the Spirit of God . It also reflects the Spirit of Jesus, another descendant of Ruth and Boaz.

The grace that comes to us through Jesus is like the barley poured out for Ruth, for just as that barley meant commitment from Boaz, Jesus’ trip to the cross, where his very blood was poured out, meant the commitment of his life to every person for his Father’s sake. On Easter Morning God offered His eternity to each one who believes. In the resurrection, God opened the door of His life to humanity, something He had wanted since the Fall. The “barley” Jesus poured out for us is the Holy Spirit he promised to send. Life on Earth has never been the same since that first Easter.

When Ruth came to Boaz at the threshing floor, she was received warmly with a blessing: “May you be blessed by the Lord. . . Do not fear, I will do for you all that you ask.” ( Ruth 3:10&11)

Today we are told by Paul, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ, and so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” (2Corinthians 1:20)

The barley soup reminded me of His Word, where I recalled that He Is risen!

Hallelujah!! Happy, Happy Easter!!

Love in Him,

Prue