“I Want to Be Like Ruth” Study

#3 The Greatest of These -- Ruth 2

      Before God changes our circumstances, He wants to change our hearts. If our circumstances change for the better, but we remain the same, then we will become worse. God’s purpose in providence is not to make us comfortable, but to make us conformable, “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). Christlike character is the divine goal for each of His children.

Naomi was bitter against God, but Ruth was willing for God to have His way in her life; so God began His gracious work with Ruth. Ruth would influence Naomi, and then God would bring to pass a wonderful work that would eventually bring the Son of God into the world. Ruth and Naomi had no idea that they were part of an eternal plan that would fulfill God’s promise to Abraham that his seed would bring blessing to the whole world (Gen. 12:1-3). Ruth’s story begins with the death of a husband, but it will end with the birth of a baby. Her tears will be turned into triumph.

If we want God to work in our lives and circumstances and accomplish His gracious purposes, then there are certain conditions that we must meet. These conditions are illustrated in Ruth’s experiences in this chapter.

Poverty is a terrible thing. A poverty-stricken person often has little or no food to eat or decent clothes to wear. And far too often the poor person has no roof over his or her head or else lives in inadequate housing. A person who has no money or goods to barter or to swap for the necessities of life is destitute. The person has to live without the most basic necessities of life. Impoverished people have difficulty surviving in this world. Some are even forced to become the garbage people of the world, scavenging for food in the very garbage dumps of our cities. And others, including children, are forced to become sewage dwellers, living under the major cities of the world. They simply have no other place to turn for warmth and protection at night. This is a horrible scene and a terrible indictment against society as a whole, but in particular against the corrupt, greedy leaders of the world.

Naomi and Ruth were poor, utterly destitute. But this was not the only problem they faced: they were also widows and childless, left all alone in this world to fend for themselves in a male-dominated society. There was no reasonable work, no good paying job for them to secure in order to feed themselves and provide for their necessities. The difficulties they faced were compounded by the fact that Ruth was a foreigner who was looked upon suspiciously by Naomi's neighbors. But in the midst of all their problems, God cared for them. Ruth had just made a total commitment to the Lord to follow Him with her whole heart. Because of her genuine commitment to God, she was placed under the wings of God. God was taking care of Ruth and Naomi, moving events in order to protect and meet the needs of these two dear believers. God's care, guidance, and provision are the important subjects of this important passage of Scripture. This is: Ruth Seeks Food and Meets Boaz: a Picture of God's Guidance, Arousing the Hope for Redemption, 2:1-23.

1.  The introduction of Boaz: a suggestion that a savior's redemption might lie just over the horizon (v.1).

2.  The strong initiative of Ruth in seeking food: a picture of being diligent, not slothful, in seeking to meet one's need (v.2-3).

3.  The unusual care shown by Boaz for Ruth: a picture of the care of Christ for us (v.4-16).

4.  The stirring of great hope in Naomi and Ruth: a picture of hope, the hope for redemption (v.17-23).

1. We must live by faith in the Lord (Ruth 2:1-3)

A Latin proverb says, “Providence assists not the idle.” Since Ruth was not the kind of woman who could long remain idle, she asked Naomi’s permission to glean in the fields so they would have food to eat. This was a step of faith on Ruth’s part, based on God’s commandment in the Law (Lev. 19:9-10; 23:22; Deut. 24:19-22). Whenever they reaped a harvest, God’s people were to consider the poor and leave gleanings for them. After all, God gave the harvest; and He had every right to tell the people how to use it.

The existence of this law was proof of God’s concern for the poor among His people. The nation was instructed to treat the poor with equity (Ex. 23:3, 6; Lev. 19:15; Prov. 22:22-23) and with generosity (Lev. 19:9-10). God was also concerned for the widows, many of whom were poor, and He told the people to care for them (Ex. 22:22-24; see Isa. 10:1-2). Ruth was not only a poor widow, but she was also an alien. Therefore, she had every right to look to God for His help and provision. “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing” (Deut. 10:18, niv).

To live by faith means to take God at His word and then act upon it, for “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20, nkjv). Since Ruth believed that God loved her and would provide for her, she set out to find a field in which she could glean. This was completely an act of faith because, being a stranger, she didn’t know who owned the various parcels of ground that made up the fields. There were boundary markers for each parcel, but no fences or family name signs as seen on our farms today. Furthermore, as a woman and an outsider, she was especially vulnerable; and she had to be careful where she went.

It is here that Boaz enters the story (Ruth 2:1, 3), a relative of Elimelech who was “a man of standing” (niv) in the community. His name means “in him is strength.” By the providence of God, Ruth gleaned in the portion of the field that belonged to Boaz. The record says Ruth “happened” to come to this portion of the field, but it was no accident. Her steps were guided by the Lord. “I being in the way, the Lord led me” (Gen. 24:27, kjv).

God’s providential working in our lives is both a delight and a mystery. God is constantly working with us (Mark 16:20), in us (Phil. 2:12-13), and for us (Rom. 8:28) and accomplishing His gracious purposes. We pray, we seek His will, and we make decisions (and sometimes make mistakes); but it is God who orders events and guides His willing children. In a spectacular vision, the Prophet Ezekiel saw the providential workings of God depicted by a throne set on a “firmament” that was moved here and there by “wheels within wheels” (Ezek. 1). You can’t explain it, but thank God you can believe it and rely on it!

(2:1) Boaz— Naomi: Boaz is introduced, so it seems, out of nowhere. There has been no mention, not even a hint, that a new character was to appear on the scene. And only Boaz's name and a few facts about him are given at this time (2:1). He does not yet enter the lives of Naomi and Ruth. This verse only introduces him to the reader, suggesting that he will soon become a part of their lives, a significant part.

The name Boaz most likely means, in him is strength or son of strength. However, the word could have an Arabic root meaning "lively" or "vigorous." Boaz was a man of wealth or standing (gibbor) in the community of Bethlehem. The Hebrew word has a wide range of meanings such as warrior (Judges 6:12; 11:1); a well-to-do man of property and wealth (2 Kings 15:20); a distinguished, honored man. This means that Boaz was a man of considerable position and influence in Bethlehem.

Boaz was a relative, a kinsman of Naomi's husband, Elimelech. This fact—plus the fact that he was a wealthy, honorable man—is a strong suggestion that Boaz will soon become the savior of Naomi and Ruth. In fact, this is the very purpose for introducing him at this time in the story.

Naomi, who had suffered so much throughout her life, and Ruth, her daughter-in-law who had accompanied Naomi back to Bethlehem, were destitute. They were both widows, left all alone to fend for themselves in a male-dominated world. They even lacked the money to buy food, the most basic necessity of life.

But here is Boaz thrust upon the scene, introduced as a wealthy, honorable man. The implication or suggestion is clear: God appears on the scene to save these desperate, needy widows. Boaz will be their savior. He will rescue, deliver, and redeem them from their distress and sufferings. Their hopelessness will be turned to joy. Keep in mind that Boaz was the son of Rahab, the prostitute who was saved. This means that Boaz and his mother (Rahab) were to become a part of the lineage of Jesus Christ (Joshua 2:1-24; Matthew 1:5).

However, note this fact: Naomi and Ruth were totally unaware that God was about to save them from their desperate plight. But this was not to be all: God was also planning to use them to fulfill His great promise to Abraham, the promise of the promised seed—the wonderful promise that the Savior or Messiah would come through the descendants of Abraham. Ruth was to become a part of the lineage of the Lord Jesus Christ. The sovereign power of God was moving the events surrounding Naomi and Ruth in order to fulfill His promise made to Abraham centuries before. Naomi and Ruth were to play an important part in fulfilling God's great promise to send the Savior into the world. As stated, they were totally unaware that God was preparing to use them in His great cause to save mankind.

(2:2-3) Initiative, Example of— Diligence, Example of— Need, How to Meet— Gleaning, Example of— Guidance, of God— Sovereignty, of God— Provision, of God: Ruth demonstrated a courageous initiative in seeking food. This is a clear picture of being diligent, not slothful, in seeking to meet one's need.

A severe crisis confronted Ruth and Naomi: they had no food, none whatsoever. In fact, they faced several critical problems:

  They lived in a male-dominated society, which meant that few jobs were available for women, especially well-paying jobs.

  They were poverty-stricken.

  They were both widows with no son who could secure employment and provide food.

  Naomi was obviously too old or too sick or too depressed to seek employment from her former neighbors (1:19-21).

  Ruth was a foreigner, a Moabite who was to be carefully, even suspiciously, watched.

Despite the mounting problems confronting Ruth and Naomi, Ruth showed courageous initiative. She suggested that she go and pick up leftover grain in the fields that had just been harvested (2:2). Remember that Naomi and Ruth had only recently returned from Moab to Bethlehem just as the barley harvest was beginning (1:22).

God had made wonderful provision for the poor among His people. When the farmers of the land reaped their harvest, whatever was left over was to be left for the poor. No field, vineyard, or tree was to be harvested a second time. The gleanings that had been left were to remain for the poor. Note how clearly God's commandment had spelled this out:

Somehow, Ruth was aware of this law. Just how, Scripture does not say. But in suggesting that she glean behind the harvesters, she was demonstrating enormous courage and strength. The very least she could expect as a foreigner would be an icy reception. Being ridiculed and run out of the field, even being physically abused and raped, were also very live possibilities. Nevertheless, Ruth and Naomi were desperate; they needed food. So Ruth took the initiative to get up and walk out to the fields. She began to glean behind the harvesters (2:3). And note where she was gleaning: she happened or found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz.

This is a strong suggestion of God's sovereignty, of His moving events and guiding the life of Ruth to a very special purpose. Ruth had made a strong commitment to God, a total, unshakable commitment (1:14-18). And God had accepted her commitment. Now He was taking care of her, guiding and providing for her. Moreover, God had chosen Ruth to become a part of the great genealogy of the Promised Seed and Savior of the world. By leading Ruth to the field of Boaz, God was moving events to fulfill His great promise to Abraham, the promise of the Promised Seed. Ruth was to be an ancestress of the promised Messiah and Savior of the world.

Happening to find herself in the field of Boaz was no accident. Ruth had been guided by the Lord. But note this fact: if Ruth had not shown strong initiative in seeking food—if she had been slothful instead of diligent—God could not have guided her. She never would have found herself in the field of Boaz.

There are at least three strong lessons for us in this experience of Ruth:

1)  We must be diligent, show strong initiative in meeting our needs. We must not depend upon others when we are able to work and earn a living ourselves. If we are physically and mentally able, we must be diligent, show strong initiative in providing for ourselves and meeting the necessities of life.

 2)  We must not be slothful, lazy, sleepy-eyed in work and responsibility. This is the strong exhortation of Scripture:

 3)  It was not chance that led Ruth to the field of Boaz. It was the sovereign power of God. God was guiding Ruth, working all events out for good—all because she loved God and was totally committed to Him.

So it is with all who love God and are committed to Him. He works all things out for our good. God works behind the scenes for us even when we are not aware of His working.

2. We must live by the grace of God (Ruth 2:4-16)

When Ruth set out that morning to glean in the fields, she was looking for someone who would show her grace (v. 2, and see vv. 10 and 13). Grace is favor bestowed on someone who doesn’t deserve it and can’t earn it. As a woman, a poor widow, and an alien, Ruth could have no claims on anyone. She was at the lowest rung of the social ladder.

The channel of that grace was Boaz. How good it is to know that God has good people living in bad times! If you knew only the record in the Book of Judges, you might conclude that the righteous had perished from the earth (Ps. 12:1-2; Isa. 57:1; 1 Kings 19:10; Micah 7:2). But there were still people like Boaz who knew the Lord and sought to obey His will. Boaz was concerned about his workers and wanted them to enjoy the blessing of the Lord (Ruth 2:4).

No sooner had Boaz greeted his workers than his eye caught the presence of a stranger in the field, and a lovely stranger at that. I get the impression that when he saw her, it was love at first sight; for from that point on, Boaz focuses his interest on Ruth and not on the harvest. Though an alien, Ruth was an eligible young woman whom the young men of the town would notice (3:10). Ruth 2:11 indicates that Boaz had already heard about Ruth, but now he was about to meet her personally.

Again, we marvel at the overruling providence of God. The Lord led Ruth to the field of Boaz and then led Boaz to visit his field while Ruth was there. When Boaz arrived, Ruth might have been resting in the shelter house that Boaz provided for his workers; or she might have grown weary and gone home to Naomi. When we commit our lives to the Lord, what happens to us happens by way of appointment and not by accident. Ruth was still a poor widow and an alien, but God was about to create a new relationship that would completely alter her circumstances.

Bible students have seen in Boaz a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ in His relationship to His bride, the church. Like Ruth, the lost sinner is outside the covenant family of God, bankrupt, with no claim on God’s mercy. But God took the initiative and provided a way for us to enter His family through faith in Jesus Christ. (See Eph. 2:10-22.) I will have more to say about this relationship when we get to the next chapter and we consider the “kinsman redeemer.”

Now let’s notice the evidences of God’s grace in the way Boaz related to Ruth:

(1) Boaz took the initiative (Ruth 2:8).

Grace means that God makes the first move to come to our aid, not because we deserve anything, but because He loves us and wants us for Himself. “We love, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19, nkjv). God took the initiative in salvation when we were spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1-10), without strength (Rom. 5:6), sinners (5:8), and His enemies (5:10). Salvation was not an afterthought of God but that which He planned from eternity. We have every reason to believe Boaz loved Ruth and therefore took the first steps to meet her needs.

(2) Boaz spoke to Ruth (Ruth 2:8).

It was he who first spoke to her, for she would not have dared to speak to a man, especially one who was a stranger and “the lord of the harvest.” What right did a widow and an alien have to address a great man like Boaz? Yet he interrupted his conversation with his foreman to speak to a poor stranger gleaning in his field.

Several years ago, my wife, younger daughter, and I visited Great Britain and found ourselves in Lichfield, where we learned that Queen Elizabeth was coming to dedicate a new school for exceptional children. We interrupted our plans and stood on the curb, waiting patiently for the motorcade, which finally appeared. We stood perhaps ten feet from the Queen as she slowly rode by with her lady-in-waiting, waving to the crowd in her distinctive manner.

Now, suppose she had rolled down the window and called, “Hello, Warren! Hello, Betty and Judy! I’ll tell my guards to take care of you!” If that had happened, everybody would have been duly impressed with our importance and perhaps asked for our autographs. Imagine, here are three American citizens to whom the Queen speaks personally!

Queen Elizabeth has never spoken to me, and probably never will; but Almighty God has spoken to me in Jesus Christ and through His Word! “God … has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (Heb. 1:1-2, nkjv). In spite of all that a world of sinners has done to the Lord, He still speaks to us in His grace. He not only speaks the word of salvation, but He also gives us the guidance we need for everyday life. Just as Boaz instructed Ruth, so the Lord also shares His Word of wisdom to direct our daily lives. He is the “Lord of the harvest” and assigns to us our place in His field.

(3) Boaz promised to protect Ruth and provide for her needs (Ruth 2:9, 14-16).

Boaz called Ruth “my daughter” because she was younger than he (see 3:10), but it was also a term of endearment. He would treat her like a member of his family. (This is what David did for Mephibosheth. See 2 Sam. 9.) Boaz instructed his young men to protect her and the young women to work with her. She was to walk with the female servants who followed immediately after the reapers. In other words, Ruth had first chance at the best of the gleanings! Boaz even instructed his workers to allow her to glean among the sheaves and told them to deliberately drop some of the harvest so she could pick it up. If she was hungry or thirsty, she could refresh herself with his workers. In fact, Boaz ate with her and personally handed her the food! (Ruth 2:14)

What a picture of the grace of God! The master became like the servants that he might show his love to a foreigner. Ruth had no idea that Boaz had commanded his workers to be generous to her, but she believed his word and found that her needs were met. Jesus Christ came to this earth as a servant (Phil. 2:1-11) that He might save us and make us a part of His family. He has shared with us the riches of His mercy and love (Eph. 2:4), the riches of His grace (v. 7), the riches of His wisdom and knowledge (Rom. 11:33), His riches in glory (Phil. 4:19), and yes, His “unsearchable riches” (Eph. 3:8, niv). We, undeserving “foreigners,” are members of the family of God and have all of His inheritance at our disposal.

(4) Boaz encouraged Ruth (Ruth 2:10-13).

Ruth’s response to Boaz was one of humility and gratitude. She acknowledged her own unworthiness and accepted his grace. She believed his promises and rejoiced in them. There was no need for Ruth to worry, for the wealthy lord of the harvest would care for her and Naomi. How did she know he would care for her? He gave her his promise, and she knew he could be trusted.

Ruth neither looked back at her tragic past nor did she look at herself and consider her sorry plight. She fell at the feet of the master and submitted herself to him. She looked away from her poverty and focused on his riches. She forgot her fears and rested on his promises. What an example for God’s people today to follow!

I find that many people are miserable because they don’t obey the admonition of Hebrews 12:2: “fixing our eyes on Jesus.” They spend so much time looking at themselves, their circumstances, and other people that they fail to do what Ruth did, namely, center their attention on their Master. Instead of resting in His perfections, they focus on their own imperfections. Instead of seeing His spiritual riches, they complain about their bankruptcy. They go to church “to get their needs met,” instead of going to church to worship the God who is greater than any need. They need to heed the counsel of the little poem a radio listener sent me years ago:

Look at self and be distressed,

Look at others and be depressed,

Look at Jesus and you’ll be blessed!

(5) Boaz saw to it that she was satisfied (Ruth 2:14, 18).

All of this happened to Ruth because of her faith in the God of Israel. Boaz fully knew Ruth’s story, for it didn’t take long for news to travel in a little town like Bethlehem. He knew that Ruth had abandoned her home and her gods and had put her faith in Jehovah. She had taken refuge “under His wings.” That image sometimes refers to the hen protecting her chicks (Ps. 91:4; Matt. 23:37), but it can also refer to the wings of the cherubim in the holy of holies (Pss. 36:7; 61:4). Ruth was no longer a foreigner and a stranger. She was not only accepted by the God of Israel, but she was also dwelling in the very holy of holies with Him! (See Eph. 2:11-22.)

The word translated “answered” in Ruth 2:11 is literally “raised his voice.” Boaz was getting excited! He wanted everybody to hear what he thought about Ruth, and he wasn’t ashamed to be identified with her. She had trusted Jehovah, and she had proved her faith by cleaving to her mother-in-law and becoming a part of the people of Israel in Bethlehem. The phrase “spoken friendly” in verse 13 means “spoken to the heart.” The Word of God comes from the heart of God (Ps. 33:11) to the hearts of His people (Matt. 23:18-23) and gives encouragement and hope (Rom. 15:4). If you listen to the voices of the world, you will be discouraged; but if you listen to the voice of God from His Word, your heart will be encouraged.

The Word of God and the Son of God can fully satisfy the heart of the believer. When we seek for satisfaction anywhere else, we will find ourselves disobedient and dissatisfied. The lost world labors for that which doesn’t satisfy (Isa. 55:2), but the believer has full satisfaction because of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (Pss. 36:7-9; 63:5; 65:4; 103:5; 107:9). As the hymn writer put it:

Well of water ever springing,

Bread of life so rich and free,

Untold wealth that never faileth,

My Redeemer is to me.

Hallelujah! I have found Him

Whom my soul so long has craved!

Jesus satisfies my longings,

Through His blood I now am saved.

(Clara T. Williams)

We must live by faith, and we must depend on God’s grace. But there is a third condition we must meet.

(2:4-16) Care, Example of— Concern, Example of— Employer, Relations with Employees— Poor, Duty to— Giving, Duty— Boaz, Type of Christ— Types, of Christ: Boaz demonstrated unusual care for Ruth. His concern for her is a striking type of the Lord's care for us. Ruth was not only poor, but she was also a widow and a foreigner in a strange land. But God was about to change her circumstances—significantly so. Ruth had totally committed her life to God, and God always looks after His people. God was moving events that would change her life forever, that would create a relationship with Boaz to meet her every need.

A relationship was being created between Boaz and Ruth, a relationship that was being worked out by the hand of God. Boaz left the city of Bethlehem and traveled out to the fields where the workers were harvesting the crops. As he arrived, he spotted Ruth picking up the leftover grain behind the women who were tying the grain into sheaves or bundles.

Note that Boaz and the workers greeted one another in the name of the Lord. This gives some indication of the character of Boaz, that he was a kind, godly man. He was an employer who respected his workers and had an excellent relationship with them. How unlike so many working relationships today!

1.  Something about Ruth obviously attracted Boaz, for he asked the foreman about her (2:5). The foreman identified her as the Moabite who had returned with Naomi (2:6). He added that Ruth had requested permission to glean behind the harvesters and that she had worked diligently and steadily all morning (2:6-7).

2.  Hearing this, Boaz took the initiative and spoke to Ruth. He addressed her as "my daughter," indicating that she was perhaps younger than Boaz. He immediately sought to help her by inviting her to glean in his fields and in his alone. Remember, as the men harvested the crops, the servant girls followed along behind tying the grain into bundles. Thus, Boaz was showing very special favor to Ruth. He was inviting Ruth to follow along behind the servant girls picking up whatever grain they had missed.

3.  But this was not all that Boaz did for Ruth: he also promised to protect and provide for her (2:9). He informed her that he had instructed his men not to touch her and that she could drink water from the very jars provided for his workers.

4.  Boaz then encouraged Ruth by acknowledging her newfound faith in the Lord and pronouncing a blessing upon her (2:10-13). Ruth was utterly surprised, even shocked at the promise of Boaz to protect and provide for her. At his words, she knelt down before him in humility. With her face to the ground, she asked how he could favor her so much—her a foreigner?

Boaz responded that he had heard about Ruth's abandonment of her former life. He had heard about the total commitment she had made to Naomi and to God and His people (2:11). Keep in mind that Bethlehem was a small city. This meant that practically everyone in the city would have known Ruth's story. They would have known that she had forsaken her own people to take care of Naomi, desiring to follow God and to become identified with God's people.

Boaz then pronounced a blessing upon Ruth, acknowledging her newfound faith (2:12). He declared that she had taken refuge "under God's wings." This is the picture of a small bird snuggling under the wings of its mother for provision and protection (Deuteronomy 32:11; Psalms 91:4; Matthew 23:37). Warren W. Wiersbe says that "God's wings" can refer to the wings of the cherubim in the Holy of Holies (Psalms 36:7; 61:4). Thus, Ruth not only had accepted God, but God had placed her under His wings in the very Holy of Holies, placed her under His personal provision and protection (Ephesians 2:11-22).

Ruth responded to this most unusual favor of Boaz by acknowledging his goodness and her unworthiness (2:13). And she requested his continued favor as she gleaned in his fields in order to feed Naomi and herself.

5.  Note how abundantly Boaz provided for Ruth (2:14-16). When lunchtime came, he invited her to share the noon meal with himself and his reapers. Interestingly, he himself served her, and she ate until she was filled. He then gave special orders to his workers regarding her (2:15-16). They were to let her gather among the sheaves, not rebuking or stopping her. He even ordered the workers to drop some stalks for her to pick up.

Boaz's treatment of Ruth is a striking picture of the concern and care of Christ for us.

1)  Boaz spotted Ruth working in his fields. So the Lord sees us and knows exactly where we are and what our needs are. Nothing is hid from God. He sees every need we have.

 2)  Boaz took the initiative to speak to Ruth, seeking to help her. So the Lord has always taken the initiative in seeking to help us. He has spoken to us in His Holy Word, giving us promise after promise, seeking to help us and to meet our needs. But God has spoken not only in the Holy Scriptures, He has spoken to us through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. By sending Christ into the world, God has shown us exactly how we are to live.

a)  God has spoken, revealed Himself to us through Christ.

 b)  God has spoken to us through His written Word, the Holy Bible. He has given us His Word to show us how to live.

 3)  Just as Boaz promised to protect and provide for Ruth, so the Lord protects and provides for us.

a)  The Lord promises to protect us.

 b)  The Lord promises to provide for us, to meet our every need.

 4)  Just as Boaz encouraged Ruth when she was in desperate need, so the Lord will encourage us in our desperate moments.

 5)  Boaz provided abundantly for Ruth. So the Lord will provide abundantly for His people.

Boaz was definitely a type of Christ. Warren W. Wiersbe says this:

 Bible students have seen in Boaz a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ in His relationship to His bride, the church. Like Ruth, the lost sinner is outside the covenant family of God, bankrupt, with no claim on God's mercy. But God took the initiative and provided a way for us to enter his family through faith in Jesus Christ. (See Ephesians 2:10-22.)

What a picture of the grace of God! The master became like the servants that he might show his love to a foreigner. Ruth had no idea that Boaz had commanded his workers to be generous to her, but she believed his word and found that her needs were met. Jesus Christ came to this earth as a servant (Philippians 2:1-11) that He might save us and make us a part of His family. He has shared with us the riches of His mercy and love (Ephesians 2:4), the riches of His grace (Ruth 2:7), the riches of His wisdom and knowledge (Romans 11:33), His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19), and yes, His "unsearchable riches" (Ephesians 3:8, NIV). We, undeserving "foreigners," are members of the family of God and have all of His inheritance at our disposal.

3. We must live in hope (Ruth 2:17-23)

All day long, Ruth labored with a happy and hopeful heart. She didn’t have to worry about the men harassing her or the other workers hindering her. She had food when she was hungry, drink when she was thirsty, and a place of rest when she became weary. The grain she gleaned amounted to about half a bushel, enough food for the two women for nearly a week. She also had some food left over from her lunch (v. 18). Ruth was not only a diligent worker, but she was also careful not to waste anything God had given her.

How will Naomi respond to Ruth’s experiences? The last time we met Naomi, she was sharing her bitterness with the women of Bethlehem and blaming God for her sorrow and poverty. When Ruth had asked permission to go to the fields to glean, all Naomi said to her was “Go, my daughter” (v. 2). She gave her daughter-in-law no word of encouragement, not even the promise of her prayers.

But now we hear a new word from Naomi’s lips—“Blessed!” (vv. 19-20) She not only blessed Ruth’s benefactor, but she also blessed the Lord! We have moved from bitterness to blessedness. When Naomi saw the grain, she blessed the man who allowed Ruth to work in his field; and when she heard that the man was Boaz, Naomi blessed the Lord. What a change has taken place in the heart of this grieving widow! This change came about because of the new hope she had in her heart, and the one who gave her that new hope was Boaz.

Naomi had hope because of who Boaz was—a near kinsman who was wealthy and influential. As we shall see, a near kinsman could rescue relatives from poverty and give them a new beginning (Lev. 25:25-34). But she also had hope because of what Boaz did: He showed kindness to Ruth and took a personal interest in her situation. When Ruth shared with Naomi what Boaz had said, Naomi’s hope grew even stronger because the words of Boaz revealed his love for Ruth and his desire to make her happy. That Boaz insisted on Ruth staying close to his servants and in his field was proof to Naomi that her husband’s relative was making plans that included her and her daughter-in-law.

Should not we who believe in Jesus Christ rejoice in hope? When you consider who He is, what He has done for us, and what He says to us in His Word, there is no reason for us to feel hopeless. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He has died for us, and now He intercedes for us in heaven. In His Word, He has given us “exceeding great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4, kjv) that can never fail. No matter how you may feel today, no matter how difficult your circumstances may be, you can rejoice in hope if you will focus your faith on Jesus Christ.

The American agnostic lecturer Robert G. Ingersoll called hope “the only universal liar who never loses his reputation for veracity.” But the late Norman Cousins, former editor of The Saturday Review, who miraculously survived an almost incurable illness and a severe heart attack, unequivocally disagrees with Ingersoll. “The human body experiences a powerful gravitational pull in the direction of hope,” Cousins wrote. “That’s why the patient’s hopes are the physician’s secret weapon. They are the hidden ingredients in any prescription.” In his work with patients at the UCLA School of Medicine, Cousins proved the power of hope to change people’s lives.

For the Christian believer, hope is not a shallow “hope-so feeling” generated by optimistic fantasies. Hope is an inner sense of joyful assurance and confidence as we trust God’s promises and face the future with His help. This hope is God’s gift to His children through the Holy Spirit, who reminds us of God’s promises found in His Word (Rom. 15:13).

Ruth’s half bushel of grain was the “firstfruits” of all that Boaz would do in the future, just as the Holy Spirit within us is the “firstfruits” of all that God has promised us (8:23). Although Ruth’s supply of grain would be gone in a week, the witness of the Spirit within will remain until our hopes are all fulfilled when we see Jesus Christ.

The exciting new hope that now possessed the two widows was centered in a person, Boaz, just as our hope is centered in the Son of God. In fact, Jesus Christ is our hope (1 Tim. 1:1; 1 Thes. 1:3; Col. 1:27). Through faith in Christ, we have been born again into “a living hope” (1 Peter 1:3); and because it is a living hope, it grows stronger each day and produces fruit. The hopes that the world clings to are dead hopes, but ours is a living hope because it is rooted in the living Christ.

Naomi then explained to Ruth the law of “the kinsman redeemer” (Lev. 25:47-55). It was not just the kindness and love of Boaz for Ruth that gave Naomi confidence, for those wonderful feelings could change overnight. It was the principle of redemption that God had written in His Word that gave Naomi the assurance that Boaz would rescue them. As a near relative, Boaz could redeem the family property that Elimelech had mortgaged when he took his family to Moab. Naomi wasn’t wealthy enough to redeem it, but Boaz could buy it back and keep it in the family.

However, something else was involved: The wife of the deceased went with the property. Therefore, the kinsman redeemer had to marry her and bring up children bearing the name of the deceased. They would then inherit the property, and the family name and family possessions would continue to be theirs. This is known as “levirate marriage” (see Deut. 25:5-10). The word levir is Latin for “a husband’s brother.” The author of the Book of Ruth doesn’t explain how Ruth’s husband Mahlon (4:10) was connected with his father’s property so that Ruth had to be included in the purchase. When and why the Jewish people connected the law of the kinsman redeemer with the law of levirate marriage is not made clear to us, but that was the custom in Ruth’s time.

Naomi cautioned Ruth to obey the commands of Boaz and stay close to his servants as she gleaned in the field. The barley harvest occurred during March and April, and the wheat harvest during June and July. Meanwhile, Ruth kept busy and gathered food sufficient for herself and her mother-in-law. But now she was laboring motivated by a wonderful hope: She was joyfully anticipating the day of redemption! (See Rom. 8:23 and Eph. 4:30.)

It is encouraging to see the changes that have taken place in Naomi because of what Ruth did. God used Ruth to turn Naomi’s bitterness into gratitude, her unbelief into faith, and her despair into hope. One person, trusting the Lord and obeying His will, can change a situation from defeat to victory.

Ruth’s faith in God’s Word led her to the field of Boaz. The love of Boaz for Ruth compelled him to pour out his grace upon her and meet her every need. (Grace is love that pays the price to help the undeserving one.) Ruth’s experience of grace gave her new hope as she anticipated what her kinsman redeemer would do.

“And now abide faith, hope, love” (1 Cor. 13:13), and they still abide with us as we abide in Jesus Christ and trust in Him.

(2:17-23) Hope, Example of— Redemption, Type of— Type, of Redemption— Kinsmen-Redeemer, Example of— Hope, Source of: there was the stirring of great hope in Naomi and Ruth. Boaz's interest in Ruth aroused the hope of rescue, the hope that Naomi and Ruth might be saved (redeemed) from a life of poverty and destitution. Unknown to them, the wonderful day of redemption, salvation, and rescue was rapidly approaching.

1.  Great hope was aroused in Ruth because of Boaz's gracious provision (2:17). Ruth continued to glean, to gather all the grain she could throughout the afternoon and up until the early evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, which amounted to about an ephah (three quarters of a bushel). No doubt, great hope and joy flooded Ruth's heart as she labored throughout the afternoon, for Boaz had assured her that she could continue to glean until the end of the harvest season (2:8, 23).

2.  Great hope—a renewed hope—was aroused in Naomi (2:18-19). As soon as Ruth returned to Naomi, she showed how much grain she had gathered. And she gave Naomi the leftovers from her lunch (2:18). Knowing that two-thirds of a bushel was far more grain than what was usually gleaned by the poor and that the poor were never given food by the landowners and his workers, Naomi was utterly surprised. Somewhat shocked, but overjoyed, she questioned Ruth: Where had she been gleaning and working? And she blessed the man who had taken notice of Ruth and had been so generous to her.

Excitedly, Ruth shared her story and experience, identifying the man as Boaz (2:19). Keep in mind the bitter life that Naomi had lived, the terrible sufferings she had borne through the hand of God's chastisement. She had lost her husband and both sons and had been gripped by the depths of grief and discouragement. Her life had been empty and tragic ever since her marriage. But now, a renewed hope was aroused within her. Hearing the name of Boaz stirred within her the hope of being rescued, redeemed from a life of poverty and hopelessness.

3.  Great hope was aroused because Boaz was the kinsman-redeemer of Naomi (2:20-23). This is a striking picture of Jesus Christ, the believer's Kinsman-Redeemer. When Naomi heard the name Boaz, she immediately exclaimed, "That man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman-redeemers" (2:20). This fact meant a most wonderful thing to Naomi. In Jewish society, the kinsmen-redeemer was just that, a near relative who could redeem or rescue a needy family member. (See Deeper Study #1—Ruth 2:20 for more discussion.) Note that this great hope of the kinsman-redeemer had four wonderful effects upon Naomi and Ruth:

  This great hope of the kinsman-redeemer stirred Naomi to praise the Lord (2:20).

  This great hope of the kinsman-redeemer also assured continued provision for Naomi and Ruth (2:21). Ruth told Naomi that Boaz had invited her to continue gleaning as long as the harvest season lasted.

  This great hope of the kinsman-redeemer assured ongoing protection for Ruth as she continued to glean throughout the season (2:22). In someone else's field, Ruth could easily have been physically abused or harmed. But in Boaz's field, she was guaranteed his protection.

  This great hope of the kinsman-redeemer stirred Ruth to continue gleaning in the field of Boaz until the end of the harvest season (2:23).

 (2:20) Kinsman-Redeemer (goel): a person who buys back, redeems, saves, rescues a family member. In ancient days, it was the responsibility of the nearest relative to provide for the family and to protect the rights of all family members. The nearest relative was known as the redeemer or kinsman (goel). The kinsman-redeemer was responsible by law to save his relative from any trouble the relative faced. The kinsman-redeemer…

  was to avenge the death of a murdered relative (see outline—^ Numbers 35:9-29 and note—^ Numbers 35:9-29; Numbers 35:19).

  was to redeem or buy back land that had been sold by a family member (Leviticus 25:25; see outline—^ Leviticus 25:23-34 and note—^ Leviticus 25:23-34 for more discussion).

  was to buy back a family member who had been sold as a slave (Leviticus 25:47-49; see outline—^ Leviticus 25:35-55 and note—^ Leviticus 25:35-55 for more discussion).

  was to look after any family member who faced a critical need and was helpless to meet the need himself (Leviticus 25:35; see outline—^ Leviticus 25:35-55 and note—^ Leviticus 25:35-55 for more discussion).

  was to marry the wife of a dead brother who had no children (see outline—^ Deuteronomy 25:5-10 and note—^ Deuteronomy 25:5-10 for more discussion ).

  was to help family members secure justice in legal disputes and in the courts of the land (Proverbs 23:11).

Simply stated, the kinsman-redeemer took care of weak family members who faced critical or hopeless situations. This was the law of the kinsman-redeemer, a law established by God Himself. It was the principle of redemption that guaranteed the rescue or salvation of His people from helpless, hopeless situations.

      The Kinsman-Redeemer of the universe, the Lord Jesus Christ, will redeem (rescue and save) any person who calls out to Him for help. In fact, Jesus Christ Himself became poor in order to redeem us and make us rich. He left the very glory and riches of heaven to come to this sinful, poverty-stricken earth to redeem us for the glory of heaven itself.

TYPES, SYMBOLS, AND PICTURES  (Ruth 2:1-23)