THE LAW OF PLACE AND THE LABOURS OF OUR HAND: A CASE STUDY OF RUTH

It is a statement of fact that quite a number of people are in the wrong profession today, the attendant effect is the fact that they have nothing to show for their seemingly long years of hard labour.

In the same vein, it is certain that location to a large extent is a major prerequisite to allocation as far as divine matters are concerned.

The story of Naomi, Elimelech and Ruth is instructive as we briefly address the law of place in relation to our labours and the expected and ideal blessings.

Naomi and Elimelech left Bethlehem Judah on account of famine and went to Moab.  For ten years they had nothing to show for it.  Counting her loss in human and material forms, she departed bitter and empty handed.  Parodoxically however the unfortunate young widow Ruth who insisted on serving the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob left in faith with her bitter mother in law.  Just one outing in Bethlehem Judah and in one day she returned with far more than the mother in law could boast of in ten years.

What was the difference? The law of place.  The ordained place of prosperity.  Many are in Lagos or outside Nigeria today for greener pastures.  It would however only favour those whom God has ordained Lagos for as their place of divine encounter for favour.  This explains the validity of the statement that our help comes from ABOVE and not necessarily from ABROAD.

There are today the following in Lagos:

1. Those who come before their time.
2. Those who have stayed longer than their time in Lagos
3. Those who are outrightly not expected to be in Lagos
4. Those ordained to be in Lagos

Each individual must take time off to settle this with God.  It is a lifetime and a worthwhile endeavour to avoid years of wasted labour.

The pertinent question then is HOW DO I KNOW MY PLACE OF BLESSING?

Using Ruth as a case study, the following are the tell tale signs among many others.

1. Grace will abound i.e. God will be evident in the race – Ruth 2:2.
2. You will be noticed, you will stand out in your place and your God ordained profession – Ruth 2:5.
3. You will enjoy FAVOUR. What others labour to get sweating, you are bound to get easily – Ruth 2:8.
4. You enjoy divine protection.

You are untouchable, meaning what is adversely affecting other people’s business shall not befall you.

You become an exception to the prevailing evil and negative trends – Ruth 2:9.

5. Whatever the prevailing economic weather, things do not wither for you when you are in the right location.
6. You see the reward for your labour. No labouring in vain – Ruth 2:11.
7. You enjoy but a full reward and not a partial one – Ruth 2:12.
8. You are comfortable – Ruth 2:13.
9. You have more than enough – Ruth 2:14.
10. You are above reproach – Ruth 2:15.
11. You are blessed by the Lord and men.
12. You become a channel of blessing to others – Ruth 2:18.

CONCLUSION

Ruth had all of this testimonies in one outing, all because God was with her and she believed in the true God of Israel.  God actually set aside the long standing covenant which was against the lineage of Ruth a Moabite as contained in Deut. 23:3 to favour her exceedingly.

The law of place does not apply only to labour, it is an all round life related issue.  What we have of Ruth is equally not exhaustive in relation to what God is able and ever willing to do for all those who live the decision to him as far as the law of places is concerned.

Isaac stayed in Gerar and was blessed unto the point of envy by his enemy in a land and year where and when famine lasted – Gen. 26:12-14.