Ruth

     I now return to the story of Ruth.  I have thought about her and the strength she had in order to endure hardship and change.  This year has been a test of strength for all of us.  Some have had to endure more than others, but, I think we can agree, we all had major changes to our lifestyle. Ruth placed herself into major changes for the sake of her mother in-law Naomi.  She took herself on a journey of faith.  She now faces the challenge of providing for Naomi and herself in a land where she is a foreigner. 

     Ruth asks Naomi if she may go and glean in a field.  To glean means to gather what is left over after the harvesters, especially assigned to the poor.  Now Ruth goes to the field and begins to glean.  She eventually comes to the portion that belongs to Boaz, a kinsman of the family of Elimelech, Naomi’s husband’s family.  Boaz, a man of God, sees Ruth and asks whose young woman is this?  He is told that Ruth is the Moabitess that returned with Naomi from Moab.  He is also told that she has gleaned from the morning until now.  Now Boaz takes careful notice of Ruth and instructs her to stay in his fields and with his maids and servants where they have been instructed not to touch her.   Boaz is offering protection to Ruth.  There are those who would abuse her and disgrace her.

     Ruth asks Boaz why she has found favor with him, especially as she is a foreigner, and this is his reply:

 “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know. May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.””

‭‭Ruth‬ ‭2:11-12‬ ‭NASB

     Boaz also asks his servants to let Ruth glean among the sheaves and to purposely pull out some grain and leave it for her to glean.  Also, they are not to insult her!  Wow!  How is that for grace? By caring for Ruth, Boaz also cares for his other kinsman, Naomi.  Ruth has found favor with Boaz.  When Ruth tells this to Naomi she also warns the young woman.

Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good , my daughter, that you go out with his maids, so that others do not fall upon you in another field.”

     Now it’s kind of obvious to the reader that Boaz is interested in Ruth.  He’s prayed for her, given her security while in his field and he’s even had a meal with her.  Ruth has also followed Boaz’s instructions in order to remain under his protection.  She is faithfully living among these, her new chosen people and more importantly, God.  In my next writing of Ruth I will explain the role of a Kinsman Redeemer and how this will affect Ruth and Naomi’s future.  Until next time, may you live in His holy word, His peace and His love.

Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz