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More Ruth commentaries
Ruth 1:1-14
Choices we make in life
Ruth 1:15-22
Ruth is committed to Naomi
Ruth 2:1-13
Ruth meets Boaz
Ruth 2:14-23
Boaz invites Ruth to lunch
Ruth 3:1-18
Ruth’s redemption is assured
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Ruth meets Boaz
Ruth 2:1–13
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
A young couple, very much in love, were getting married in church. However, Sue the wife was very nervous about the big occasion and so the vicar chose one verse that he felt would be a great encouragement to them. The verse was 1 Jn 4:18 which says: “There is no fear in … More
Boaz is described as a kinsman of Elimelech’s (Naomi’s husband who died) although the exact relationship is not told. Ruth and Naomi are very poor and so it is fortunate that they arrive at their new home in the beginning of harvest. There are not many ways of earning a living open to widows but the Old Testament law provided that the poor be allowed to pick up grain left behind the reapers (Deut. 24:19). Ruth offers to go in search of food along with the poor gleaners (vv. 1-2). Naomi tells her to “Go ahead,” so right away, Ruth went out to pick up grain in a field owned by Boaz (v. 3).
Boaz evidently lived in Bethlehem and came out to his farm after the laborers had started their work. He was immediately attracted to Ruth and asked some questions about her (vv. 4-5). When he found out who she was(vv. 6-7) he went to Ruth and told her to not pick up grain in anyone else’s field but to stay here and follow behind the reapers (vv. 8-9). He also said, “I have warned the men not to bother you, and whenever you are thirsty, you can drink from the water jars they have filled.” Ruth questioned why he was so encouraging to her (v. 10). He stated that he was impressed by all she had done for Naomi and the sacrifice she had made in leaving her parents and native land and in deciding to follow the God of Israel (vv. 11-12). She then asked him for a favor (v. 13).
Application
It is apparent that Boaz didn’t just allow gleaners to come into his fields because the law stated that he had to. He took a personal interest in those who were in need and wanted to help them. I need to think of someone with good character qualities, like Ruth, that my family can encourage and help
Ruth 2:1-13 (English Standard Version)
Now Naomi had a relative of her husband's, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, "Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor." And she said to her, "Go, my daughter." So she set out 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 clan of Elimelech. And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, "The LORD be with you!" And they answered, "The LORD bless you." Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, "Whose young woman is this?" And the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, "She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. She said, 'Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.' So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest." Then Boaz said to Ruth, "Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn." Then she fell on her face, bowing 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?" But Boaz answered her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!" Then she said, "I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants."
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
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