Brother Michael's Devotional

"So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley." Ruth 2:17

Here we have Ruth gleaning in the field of Boaz. After she gathers up what she has gleaned she begins to "beat out" the barley to remove the heads from the stalk.

Grain, seed and old corn are frequently used as symbols for the Word of God in the Bible. Those that minister the word are called to sow the seed of the word, but it often becomes a difficult proposition to keep the attention of those he is speaking to. So the minister adds humor or personal stories to regain the attention of the audience. There are also times that he may interpose his own thoughts or opinions into his sermon or Bible study.

Now in the same way that those stalks attached to the barley did not affect the quality of the barley, a minister's humor or personal opinions attached to the Word of God does not affect the quality of the word. But just as Ruth "beat out" those stalks from the grain she gathered in the field, you and I must "beat out" that which we gather in our personal study.

Friend, do not let the fact that a minister has some stalks attached to the barley keep you from feasting on the word. That is the only way you are going to get it. All you and I need to do is just beat it out, leave that which is unprofitable, and feast on what we have gleaned.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." II Timothy 3:16