Ruth 2
Ruth 2 describes how the Moabite woman Ruth settled in Bethlehem in Israel together with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and then gathered grain from the fields to make a living. This chapter can be divided into three parts. First, the background in which Ruth happens to come to the field of Boaz (Verses 1-7), second, the story of how Boaz shows consideration for Ruth and protects her (Verses 8-16), and third, the portion where Ruth tells Naomi about her experiences that day and hope begins to take root for the future of the two women (Verses 17-23).
1verseNaomi had a relative of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.
2verseRuth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I find favor.” She said to her, “Go, my daughter.”
3verseShe went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.
4verseBehold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “May the LORD be with you.” They answered him, “May the LORD bless you.”
5verseThen Boaz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, “Whose young lady is this?”
6verseThe servant who was set over the reapers answered, “It is the Moabite lady who came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab.
7verseShe said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came, and has continued even from the morning until now, except that she rested a little in the house.”
8verseThen Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Don’t go to glean in another field, and don’t go from here, but stay here close to my maidens.
9verseLet your eyes be on the field that they reap, and go after them. Haven’t I commanded the young men not to touch you? When you are thirsty, go to the vessels, and drink from that which the young men have drawn.”
10verseThen she fell on her face and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take knowledge of me, since I am a foreigner?”
11verseBoaz answered her, “I have been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father, your mother, and the land of your birth, and have come to a people that you didn’t know before.
12verseMay the LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given to you from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
13verseThen she said, “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, because you have comforted me, and because you have spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not as one of your servants.”
14verseAt meal time Boaz said to her, “Come here, and eat some bread, and dip your morsel in the vinegar.” She sat beside the reapers, and they passed her parched grain. She ate, was satisfied, and left some of it.
15verseWhen she had risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and don’t reproach her.
16verseAlso pull out some for her from the bundles, and leave it. Let her glean, and don’t rebuke her.”
17verseSo she gleaned in the field until evening; and she beat out that which she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.
18verseShe took it up, and went into the city. Then her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned; and she brought out and gave to her that which she had left after she had enough.
19verseHer mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? Where have you worked? Blessed be he who noticed you.” She told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”
20verseNaomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not abandoned his kindness to the living and to the dead.” Naomi said to her, “The man is a close relative to us, one of our near kinsmen.”
21verseRuth the Moabitess said, “Yes, he said to me, ‘You shall stay close to my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’”
22verseNaomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his maidens, and that they not harm you in any other field.”
23verseSo she stayed close to the maidens of Boaz, to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and she lived with her mother-in-law.
Ruth’s Commitment and Boaz’s Kindness
In this chapter, Ruth’s humility and diligence are clearly shown. In an unfamiliar land, she works faithfully for herself and for her mother-in-law. The character of Boaz provides outstanding mercy and kindness to widows and to Ruth, a foreigner, and becomes an example of “kindness” in the Bible. Boaz respects Ruth, ensures her safety, and also considers it so that she can bring along an ample amount of the harvest.
God’s Providence and Grace
The event in which Ruth “happens” to gather grain in the field of Boaz (verse 3) may look like an accident on the surface, but it contains God’s providence in caring for Ruth and Naomi. As human choices and labor, together with God’s unseen guidance, intertwine, a new spark of hope rises in Ruth chapter 2.
Meditation Points
- We reflect on whether, like Ruth, we can remain faithful and humble even in unfamiliar circumstances where we find ourselves.
- Boaz’s kindness and care offer us a new perspective on how to treat our neighbors today. We think about whom we can show kindness to.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Remembering that even the small “accidents” we encounter in everyday life can be God’s guidance, we can live with gratitude and expectation in everything.
- We consider practically what ways we can help difficult neighbors or unfamiliar people with practical consideration and love.
