Ruth 2

Ruth 2:1

III. RUTH IN THE FIELDS OF BOAZ (Chap. 2)2:1-3 Under the law, Israelites were not allowed to strip the fields clean when harvesting. Instead, they were to leave some of the grain as gleanings for the needy, for strangers, for the fatherless, and for widows (Lev_19:9; Lev_23:22; Deu_24:19). Ruth decided to take advantage of this law by going out to the barley fields to gather up some of these gleanings. It was not good luck but divine arrangement that led her to the field owned by Boaz (in him is strength), a wealthy relative of her dead father-in-law. 2:4-12 When Boaz arrived from Bethlehem, he asked the identity of the young woman. Learning that she was Naomi’s daughter-in-law, he cordially invited her to continue gleaning in his fields and to share the water provided for his workers. In praising her for the loyal and selfless step that she had taken, Boaz concluded with a little prayer for her: The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge (v. 12). Leon Morris comments: In due course, the prayer was answered through him who uttered it. He recognizes the religious aspect of Ruth’s change of country by saying that she has come to trust (AV) under Yahweh’s wings. The imagery is probably that of a tiny bird struggling under the wings of a foster-mother. It gives a vivid picture of trust and security. . . . She marveled that he, a Jew, should show such undeserved favor to a Gentile. But there was a reason! Boaz had, of course, heard of the kindness which Ruth had shown to Naomi, and how she had become a convert to the Jewish faith. 2:13-16 He was so impressed with her that he invited her to eat with his workers, and instructed the reapers to leave extra grain for her on purpose. 2:17 At the end of the day, she beat out what she had gleaned, and she had about an ephah of barley, which was a very generous amount. We must do this in our study of the Word; that is, we must appropriate the precious truths for ourselves and put them into practice. In Boaz we see illustrated many of the excellencies of Christ. Boaz was a man of great wealth (v. 1). He was compassionate to the stranger, who had no claim on his favors (vv. 8, 9). He knew all about Ruth, even before she met him (v. 11), even as the Lord knows all about us even before we come to know Him. He served Ruth graciously, and all her needs were satisfied (v. 14). He granted her protection and prosperity for the future (vv. 15, 16). In these acts of grace we see a foreshadowing of our blessed Redeeming Relative’s mercies to us. 2:18-23 When Ruth brought the grain home and told Naomi all that had happened, the wise old Jewess knew that the Lord’s program was unfolding satisfactorily. She knew that Boaz was a close relative of her dead husband and sensed that the Lord was going to work wonderfully for Ruth and for herself. Therefore she encouraged Ruth to continue to glean in the field of Boaz. Naomi’s counsel to stay in the fields of Boaz was prudent. Since he had shown himself gracious, why should Ruth insult him or spurn his protection by going into another’s field? We too should not wander from the Lord’s promised provision and protection into the fields of worldly pleasures.