WOMEN OF CHRISTMAS - RUTH 2:1-14

Ruth 2:1-14 (KJV)

RUTH GLEANS AND MEETS A MAN OF MEANS

Ruth 2:1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.

Boaz may have been Elimelech’s brother or cousin. His name means “in him is strength.” As we will see later, this qualifies him to be a kinsman-redeemer.

The kinsman-redeemer is a male relative who, according to various laws of the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need. The Hebrew term (go el) for kinsman-redeemer designates one who delivers or rescues (Genesis 48:16; Exodus 6:6) or redeems property or person (Leviticus 27:9–25, 25:47–55). The kinsman who redeems or vindicates a relative is illustrated most clearly in the book of Ruth, where the kinsman-redeemer is Boaz.

https://gotquestions.org/kinsman-redeemer.html

Ruth 2:2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

Ruth went out to pick up the stalks of barley that the harvesters dropped which is known as gleaning. According to Leviticus 19:9-10, the corners of the field and the stalks that were dropped along the way were left for the needy to pick up, especially widows like Ruth, orphans, and strangers. Ruth volunteered to do this, and Naomi allowed her to go. This was one way Ruth could take care of her mother-in-love.

Ruth 2:3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

From man’s point of view, Ruth just “happened” to end up in Boaz’ field; but it is obvious her gleaning there was the providence of our sovereign God. This is the turning point of the story – the part where boy meets girl.

Ruth 2:4 And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee.

The way Boaz and his workers greeted one another shows his godliness and the excellent relationship he had with them as their employer.

Ruth 2:5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

For some reason, Boaz noticed Ruth among all the reapers. She probably had a countenance and a diligence in her work that struck him. He inquired to whom Ruth belonged, probably thinking of her as a maidservant or a daughter of a poor person.

Ruth 2:6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:

7 And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.

The worker informed Boaz that she was the Moabitess, Naomi’s daughter-in-law and that she had been working consistently and fervently since the morning only taking a brief break in the shelter set up for the workers.

Ruth 2:8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: 9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

Boaz addressed Ruth as “daughter” because he was probably closer in age to Naomi and Elimelech, and she would have been much younger than him. Boaz invited Ruth to glean exclusively in his fields. He told her to follow the young women who tied up the sheaves for the harvesters. He promised the young male workers would leave her alone and would not hassle her or behave in any inappropriate manner. He told her she would not have to draw her own water when she was thirsty but could drink from that provided for his workers.

Ruth 2:10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?

Ruth was shocked that Boaz would pay this kind of positive attention to her since she was from Moab. She would have expected enmity from a Hebrew man due to their deep-seated cultural history, and he extended a welcome. We must remember that the Lord had cursed Moab, so it was perfectly natural that Ruth would be surprised by Boaz’s kindness. She bowed to the ground to show respect and gratitude to him and was flabbergasted at his overwhelming graciousness and generosity.

Ruth 2:11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

Boaz praised Ruth for leaving everyone and everything she knew behind and choosing to look after Naomi, her deceased husband’s mother. He recognized her possible discomfort in being among a people who were not her own, had different customs, and were even prejudiced against her as a Moabitess. News had traveled fast in Bethlehem, so he knew a great deal about Ruth’s exceptional character.

Ruth 2:12 The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

Boaz prayed on Ruth’s behalf that the Lord would reward her in light of her selflessness. He makes the statement that Ruth has come to trust the Lord and is under his wings. Ruth had converted to Judaism, possibly when she married Mahlon but definitely when she told Naomi, “your God will be my God.” The idea here is that of a mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings to hide and protect them from predators. The Lord is the covering for those who place their trust in Him. 

Ruth 2:13 Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.

Ruth was grateful that Boaz had taken her under his protection even though she was not an Israelite. Ruth was under Naomi’s care like a daughter, now Boaz is taking special interest in her, but ultimately, it is the Lord who is protecting and guiding her. She humbly thanked Boaz for his kindness.

Ruth 2:14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.

Boaz invited Ruth to stay and eat some of the lunch he provided for his own workers. She ate until her hunger was satisfied and rose up to go back to gleaning. But this is just the beginning of the relationship between Ruth and Boaz. At this point, neither of them knew what the Lord had in store for them.

Ponder this: Susan’s Grannie has often told her “Pretty is as pretty does.” We definitely see this in the account of Boaz meeting Ruth for the first time. What he praises in her is not her outward beauty. In fact, she was probably hot and sweaty while working in the field. He praises her excellent character qualities and her loving commitment to Naomi. When people look past my outward appearance, what do they see? Our hope and our goal should be that they see the Lord Jesus shining out of our lives.