Last week we began a study of the book of Ruth. We went through chapter one where Naomi is the chief character. Naomi is married and has two sons. They live in the bread basket of Israel, Bethlehem, but a famine hits and Naomi’s husband moves his family to Moab where he and both his sons die. Naomi’s sons had married Moabite women and one of those was Ruth. When Naomi hears that the Lord has blessed her homeland with food, she leaves Moab to go back home. Her once full life now empty and her once hopeful heart now bitter, she tells her daughters in law to stay in Moab so they can remarry and build better lives. She blesses them in the name of the Lord. One stays, but Ruth, the Moabitess, will not leave Naomi. Ruth pledges her life to Naomi and to Naomi’s God, the Lord.
What was it in Ruth that gave her the courage to choose to leave her homeland and people and the gods of Moab to live in Israel as a foreigner with Naomi? She has several features of character that stand out as a model for all of us. Let’s continue the story in chapter 2 where we meet another person of great character: Boaz. Here in chapter 2 we see the hand of God working in the background, bringing His blessing to pass on poor Naomi and Ruth.
Listen and follow along in your Bible and you can hear God instructing you through this story. God loves the poor and destitute and provides for those who seek Him. He often uses the righteous who are affluent to provide His care to those in need. Ask yourself as you hear God’s word: what work of blessing has God prepared me for?
Ruth chapter 2 (read)
1 Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz. (Who is Boaz? We will see.)
2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”
Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.”
3 So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. It just so happened that she began working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.
Twice in this chapter we hear that Boaz is from the clan of Elimelek, Naomi’s deceased husband. And we also find an echo about Ruth.
Twice in chapter 2 we read of Ruth as “Ruth the Moabitess.” Look at verses 2 and 21. “Ruth the Moabitess” was not just a label to know who she was and where she was from. Actually, referring to her as the “Moabitess” is a constant reminder that she’s a foreigner from a nation that is not usually on friendly terms with Israel. She’s one of “those people.” Her nation has caused great trouble to Israel and especially have the women of Moab. What’s Ruth to do? She could have let that stigma drive her away or make her reclusive. She could have become angry and declared the injustice of it and demanded better treatment. "Let’s put these people through diversity training." But no, Ruth rose above it all by simply being a humble and faithful servant to her mother-in-law, and a hard worker in whatever her hand found to do. Think of it. She’s a destitute widow in a foreign land. She and Naomi need food to eat. Ruth demonstrates humility and a great work ethic being willing to work as a poor person, and not afraid of taking on a lowly job in the process.
Ruth is the kind of poor, needy person you’d like to give help to. During the great depression people were without work. They didn’t want a handout, but a job. God works. He created us to be like Him and to do good works in His name. Ruth is a poor widow looking for a place to work. Instead of begging bread, Ruth goes out looking for a way to gather so they can make bread.
Chapter 1, the last verse, tells us that Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest. This is an important piece of the book. It sets up the next event that makes all the difference.
Barley harvest has begun. Go with me to Leviticus 19:9 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 23:22 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the Lord your God.’”
Part of God’s plan for Israel’s provision for the poor is here. It requires work on the part of the poor, but it makes food available to those in poverty and need. Ruth has come under the wings of the Lord and taken Naomi’s God as her God. She’s willing to follow the instructions God gives for His care of the poor and needy.
She asks Naomi permission to go gather by gleaning. Why ask? Why not just tell Naomi what she plans to do? Because Naomi’s name and reputation are attached to Ruth and because Ruth respects Naomi and her judgment. Naomi gives her permission and Ruth goes looking for a place to glean. Verse 3 gives us the ironic statement: she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.
Ruth doesn’t realize it, but she’s gleaning in the field of a rich relative! Just watch how things progress now!
Pick up with me at verse 4, and first of all, notice all the blessings in the name of the Lord. That says a lot about the character and culture of those times. Secondly, notice what Boaz sees and says and does.
Read 4-16.
Boaz’s graciousness is met with Ruth’s humility.
Ruth’s industrious labor is met with Boaz’s blessings and generosity.
Ruth left home looking for a way to provide for her and her mother-in-law.
Boaz came home and saw to it that provision was made for them.
This relationship between Boaz and Ruth has only just begun.
Naomi hasn’t a clue what has happened yet. That’s next. Just listen.
Read 17-23.
Look again at verse 20. What does Naomi see in all this?
Look again at verses 22-23. What does Ruth do? She follows instructions, works hard, and stays loyal to her vow to Naomi.
God may have brought the tide out when Naomi moved to Moab and lost her husband and sons, but God is now bringing the tide in again as He brings Naomi home and works through Ruth the Moabitess and Boaz the kinsman redeemer to bring restoration and blessing.
So, what’s the take home?
Why is Boaz drawn to help Ruth?
1. He is related to her.
2. He is able to help her.
3. He sees what is good in her, in spite of her being a Moabite.
Why is God drawn to help us?
1. He is related to us.
2. He is able to help us.
3. He sees what is good in us, in spite of our being sinners.
What about Ruth? What is it about her prepared her for Boaz attention?
1. She was willing to leave her homeland, family and false gods.
2. She was willing to make lifetime commitments.
3. She was humble and recognized her unworthiness before Boaz.
What about us? What is it about us that prepares us for God’s attention?
1. Are we willing to leave homeland, family and false gods?
2. Are we willing to make lifetime commitments?
3. Are we humble and recognize our unworthiness before God?
