Ruth 2

In this chapter, we see Ruth’s loyalty and dedication as she goes to glean in the fields to provide for herself and Naomi. Through divine providence, she meets Boaz, a wealthy and influential man who shows her kindness. This encounter will lay the foundation for their relationship, and Boaz’s generosity reflects the covenant kindness of God. The chapter also highlights God's provision and Ruth’s humility and hard work.

Ruth 2:1 (NKJV)
1 There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz.

The chapter opens by introducing Boaz, a wealthy relative of Elimelech, Naomi’s deceased husband. His wealth and family connection immediately indicate that he could play a significant role in Ruth and Naomi’s future. In the cultural context, a close relative might act as a "kinsman-redeemer," someone who could redeem the family’s losses. Boaz’s introduction prepares the reader for the unfolding of God’s plan for Ruth and Naomi.

Ruth 2:2 (NKJV)
2 So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”

Ruth takes the initiative to provide for herself and Naomi by gleaning in the fields, a practice where the poor could gather leftover grain after the harvesters. Ruth humbly hopes to find favor in the eyes of someone who will allow her to glean. Her willingness to work and her request for Naomi’s blessing demonstrate her loyalty and determination to care for her mother-in-law.

Ruth 2:3 (NKJV)
3 Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

In what seems to be a coincidence, Ruth ends up gleaning in the field of Boaz, the relative of Elimelech. However, this “coincidence” is a subtle indication of divine providence at work. God is guiding her steps to the very place where she will meet Boaz, setting the stage for His plan to unfold in their lives.

Ruth 2:4-5 (NKJV)
4 Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” And they answered him, “The Lord bless you!”
5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”

Boaz’s greeting to his workers reflects his godly character, showing mutual respect and the presence of faith in his daily life. Upon seeing Ruth, Boaz immediately notices her and inquires about her identity. This curiosity sets the stage for his interaction with Ruth and highlights the beginning of his interest in her well-being.

Ruth 2:6-7 (NKJV)
6 So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab.
7 And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.”

The servant explains to Boaz that Ruth is the Moabite woman who returned with Naomi. He also points out Ruth’s polite request to glean and her hardworking nature, as she has been laboring since morning with only a short rest. Ruth’s diligence and humility are emphasized here, gaining Boaz’s attention and favor.

Ruth 2:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women.
9 Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.”

Boaz speaks kindly to Ruth, offering her protection and provision. He tells her to stay in his fields and follow his female workers, ensuring that she is safe and cared for. Boaz even ensures that his male workers will not harass her, showing his concern for her well-being. This kindness goes beyond mere obligation, demonstrating his generosity and compassion.

Ruth 2:10 (NKJV)
10 So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”

Ruth is overwhelmed by Boaz’s kindness and humbly questions why she, a foreigner, has found favor in his eyes. Her posture of bowing reflects her deep gratitude and humility. Ruth’s awareness of her outsider status further emphasizes her amazement at Boaz’s generosity, which foreshadows his role as a redeemer.

Ruth 2:11-12 (NKJV)
11 And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before.
12 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.”

Boaz explains that he has heard of Ruth’s loyalty and sacrifice for Naomi, leaving her homeland and family to live in a foreign land. He praises her for seeking refuge under the God of Israel and prays that the Lord will reward her for her faithful actions. Boaz’s words highlight his recognition of her character and faith.

Ruth 2:13 (NKJV)
13 Then she said, “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord; for you have comforted me, and have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants.”

Ruth continues to express her humility and gratitude, acknowledging that Boaz’s kindness has brought her comfort. She recognizes that she is different from his maidservants, yet he has treated her with great respect. Ruth’s response demonstrates her appreciation for Boaz’s compassion.

Ruth 2:14-16 (NKJV)
14 Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, “Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back.
15 And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her.
16 Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.”

Boaz not only allows Ruth to glean but invites her to share a meal with him and the workers, further demonstrating his generosity. Afterward, he instructs his workers to allow Ruth to glean even among the sheaves (a privileged position) and to leave extra grain for her to gather. This act of kindness provides Ruth with more than enough to meet her and Naomi’s needs.

Ruth 2:17 (NKJV)
17 So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.

Ruth works diligently throughout the day, gathering enough barley to produce an ephah, a substantial amount. This abundant harvest is a direct result of Boaz’s kindness, but it also reflects Ruth’s hardworking spirit and dedication to providing for Naomi.

Ruth 2:18-19 (NKJV)
18 Then she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. So she brought out and gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satisfied.
19 And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? And where did you work? Blessed be the one who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”

When Ruth returns home with the abundant harvest, Naomi is surprised by the amount and inquires where she worked. Ruth reveals that she gleaned in the field of Boaz, which leads Naomi to bless Boaz for his kindness. This moment marks a turning point as Naomi begins to see hope for their future through God’s providence and Boaz’s generosity.

Ruth 2:20 (NKJV)
20 Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!” And Naomi said to her, “This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives.”

Naomi recognizes Boaz as one of their close relatives, a kinsman-redeemer, which means he has the potential to restore their family’s fortunes. She praises the Lord for not abandoning His kindness, both to the living (Naomi and Ruth) and the dead (Elimelech and his sons). This realization fills Naomi with renewed hope.

Ruth 2:21-23 (NKJV)
21 Ruth the Moabitess said, “He also said to me, ‘You shall stay close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’”
22 And Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, and that people do not meet you in any other field.”
23 So she stayed close by the young women of Boaz, to glean until the end of barley harvest and wheat harvest; and she dwelt with her mother-in-law.

Ruth shares Boaz’s continued generosity, as he has invited her to remain in his fields until the harvest is complete. Naomi affirms this plan, encouraging Ruth to stay where she is safe and provided for. Ruth remains faithful, gleaning through both the barley and wheat harvests, ensuring that she and Naomi have enough provisions.