Read Ruth 2:1-17
When Moses gave the people of Israel instructions about how to live in the Promised Land, he included commands regarding what they left behind when they harvested their fields and vineyards. According to Leviticus 19:9,10 and 23:22, they were to intentionally leave the corners and any fallen fruit, so it could be gathered by those in need who followed behind them. The lives of those who followed the harvesters were dependent on what was left behind.
In Ruth 2, Boaz in his Christ-like role took it a step further by instructing his servants to pull out some of the best they gathered and intentionally leave it behind for gatherers like Ruth. Because these harvesters represented him, he expected them to be gracious and generous, as well as treat the needy with dignity and respect.
It wasn’t just harvesters that needed to be intentional about what was left behind. A shepherd wrote Psalms 23 about all a shepherd did. One of the important things he did was make sure that “goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.” (vs. 6) We tend to take this as an assurance that everything will work out, but for a shepherd it held a much greater meaning. It was more about what he and his flock left behind.
A flock can easily leave disaster in its wake. They could eat the grass down to bare ground; water, which had been diverted to meet their need, could become putrid, if it remained cut off from the main steam; and the pasture left polluted with manure. A good shepherd made sure that he left an area in better shape then he found it for those who followed behind. The ground was reseeded, water flow restored, ruts filled in and manure salted so it broke down into fertilizer. All this required him being deliberate that goodness and mercy followed him and his flock. He was intentional about what was left behind.
We too can be self-consumed consumers. Gather from life and God all we want and leave nothing of value behind. We must be intentional about also leaving goodness and mercy in our wake. We need to bless those who follow with the abundance of love and grace we gather as servants of Christ. This requires our asking: Do I leave peace or turmoil? Forgiveness or bitterness? Contentment or conflict? Joy or frustration? Love or hate? This isn’t just about when all is said and done, but daily – no matter where we are or where we go.
What do you intentionally leave behind? What follows you “all the days of your life”?
Making It Personal
Be specific – who are some of the people that come behind you, not just in life, but yesterday and today?
What do those who follow behind you desperately need?
When you call Jesus “Lord” you represent Him in what you do and what you leave behind. How should this impact your attitude and behavior today and every day?
What does being intentional mean to you?
Through the Day Challenge
Slow down and be intentional about what you leave behind today wherever you go, even if it is only to go into the next room. What difference did it make in your actions, words and attitudes?
