Lay It on Me

38 / L AY I T ON M E

you must have two elements working on your behalf. Ruth asked for grace (Ruth 2:2) and for favor (2:13). Favor opens the door but grace keeps the door open! Ruth also knew that there were certain things that she was going to have to do. In chapter 2 of Ruth, we detect the principle of 30-, 60- and 100-fold blessing. This principle is explained in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus revealed this when He preached about the sower who planted the seed, which is the Word (Mark 4:3-8). Having stood in Galilee where this message was preached, I can visualize the effect it had on the people there. In this open-air setting, Christ spoke about a man planting seed. Today, there is a large farm at the base of the hill where Jesus preached, and wheat is grown there.  Jesus spoke of the seed falling on stones. The Galilee region is covered with large, black basalt stones. They often rest in the center of the fields where farmers attempt to plant seeds.  Christ mentioned birds who would swoop down and devour the seeds before they could take root in the soil. During planting season, it is common to see, in the same area where Jesus preached, large flocks of birds hovering in the air, watching the farmers sow the seed. If the seed is not protected, the birds will swoop down and steal it.  The parable of the sower mentions the heat of the sun that beats down on the ground, parching the seed, and causing it to die before it produces fruit. The Galilee district can experience hot, dry seasons, and even drought.