Before getting into today’s text, I want to quickly want to summarize Ruth 1. Ruth took place in the days of the judges. The period of the judges, which was a time of spiritual turmoil, lasted about 325 years. During this time, there was no king in Israel – everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25).
The opening chapter of Ruth tells us there was a famine in Bethlehem. A man named Elimelech took his wife Naomi and their two sons to Moab. Moab was not a place that any Israelite should be. Elimelech had led his family to forsake God’s presence and God’s people in Bethlehem to seek provision in Moab. While in Moab, Elimelech died. After marrying Moabite women, Naomi’s two sons also died.
After 10 years in Moab, Naomi, the wife of Elimelech, heard that the Lord had provided food in Bethlehem. She decided to make the 50-70 mile journey back to Bethlehem. She encouraged her daughters-in-law to go back to Moab so that they would be provided for. Orpah turned back, but Ruth decided to go with Naomi to Bethlehem and embrace Yahweh as her God.
When Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred. Naomi asked the women to call her Mara (which means bitter). At this point in the story, Naomi is a bitter woman. Because there is no man in her life, she and Ruth have little in the way of provision.
Naomi and Ruth’s return to Bethlehem signaled that they were returning to God and his people. If you have sojourned into sin and neglected God and his people, what kind of reception should you expect to find? We get a glimpse of the character of God this morning as he cares for these women.
For a fuller summary of chapter one, click here.
Sermon text: Ruth 2
There are really three scenes in Ruth 2.
First, the narrator sets up the Ruth’s meeting with Boaz (1-7). Second, we read about Boaz and Ruth’s meeting (vv. 8-16). During this meeting, Boaz shows great generosity to Ruth. Third, Ruth returns home and visits with Naomi about her blessed day at Boaz’s field (vv. 17-23).
Setting up the Meeting with Boaz (1-7)
In v. 1, the narrator introduces Boaz to the story. He knows something that Ruth doesn’t. After grieving her husband’s death (1:9,14), Ruth trusts God (1:16) and gets to work (2:2-3,7).
In ancient Israel, God’s law provided for the poorest of the poor to eke out a meager existence by gleaning in the grain fields. Gleaning was hard work with little reward, and harvesters didn’t always take kindly to gleaners, but it was a way to stay alive.
Lev 19:9-10
“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.
Deut 24:19-22
19 “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. 21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. 22 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.
Gleaning involved gathering left-over grain after the harvest. Harvesters would cut the stalks of grain with one hand and catch it with the other. The grain that fell to the ground was left to the poor. Perhaps a modern-day equivalent would be rummaging through a dumpster to find food (though I would much prefer the Israelite alternative).
Ruth was not looking for a handout, but instead is willing to work hard. We know that ultimately God is our provider, but that does not excuse us from working hard (Prov 10:4).
Ruth trusts that God will help her find favor with a man (v. 2). She trusts that her work ethic will give her favor with a man who owns a field. In God’s providence, v. 3 says, “she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz.”
When times get tough, remember these truths:
- Life is hard (John 16:33).
- God is good (Ps 34:8).
- He will never leave me nor forsake me (Heb 13:5).
- I will trust in Him (Prov 3:5-6).
In your despair, trust God for provision (1-3).
In vv. 4-7, Boaz arrives at the field. He comes to the field from Bethlehem and blesses the reapers in his field – “The Lord be with you.” (v. 4). In this verse, we see that Boaz is a man that loves God. I can’t help but think of Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:13-16 where Jesus calls us to be salt and light. In a time when everyone did what was right in their own eyes, Boaz is a blessing to his workers. He is not a man that is full of himself. Even though he is the owner of the field, he cares for his workers. In addition, Boaz even notices Ruth, who is a gleaner, the lowest of the low.
In verse 5, Boaz asks, “Whose young woman is this?” Boaz wants to know whose family Ruth belongs to. Boaz’s field manager tells him who Ruth is – the Moabite woman that returned to town with Naomi (vv. 6-7).
The meeting of Boaz and Ruth (8-16)
Finally, Boaz and Ruth speak. The first thing that Boaz does is promise Ruth protection (vv. 8-9). When Boaz calls Ruth “my daughter” this indicates an age difference between Boaz and Ruth.
Boaz notices Ruth, a young, vulnerable woman with no protector. Rather than take advantage of her, Boaz chooses to protect her. What an example to us as men. Men of God, we, like Boaz, have been called to protect women (vv. 8-9, 22).
Boaz goes even further by giving Ruth permission to drink from water that his men have drawn. In this culture, typically foreigners drew the water for Israelites and women would draw water for men. So when Boaz gives Ruth (a foreigner) permission to drink from water drawn by his (Israelite) men, this is indeed extraordinary.
How does Ruth respond? With great humility. Look at v. 10 – “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”
Even after her hard work, she knows that she doesn’t deserve Boaz’s generosity. It’s so easy for us to think, “Of course God will notice me. I’m working hard for him. I deserve His favor.” When we do have that attitude, we lose sight of God’s kindness to us. Everything we have is a gift from God (Jam 1:17; 1 Cor 4:7).
Boaz has heard of Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi (v. 11). In v. 12, Boaz prays for Ruth. He prays for the Lord to repay Ruth for her kindness to Naomi. As we will see, Boaz doesn’t just pray to this end. He himself blesses Ruth in extraordinary ways.
In v. 13, Ruth again expresses humility and thanks to Boaz. At this point, I want to speak to any young women reading this post. Ladies, our culture says that marriage is outdated. Perhaps your family is encouraging you to go to college and work the rest of your life. But remember, marriage is God’s idea. There is great blessing in being married to a man that will lay down his life in service to Christ and his family (Eph 5:25-33). Ladies, let godly men care for you and receive God’s blessings with humilty.
At mealtime (vv. 14-16), Boaz shows even more generosity to Ruth. The fact that Boaz ate with his harvesters says something about the man, but his actions at this meal must have caught everyone by surprise. He invites Ruth to his table. Remember, she is a single woman and he is a man. She is poor and he is rich. She is a Moabite woman and he is an Israelite man. But notice that she ate until she was satisfied and she had some left over (v. 14).
Boaz is tough and tender. He is in charge of his fields. His workers respect his authority and listen to him. But he is also tender. He treats his workers well. He protects the young women that work for him. Men, let us be tough. Let us be men of conviction and courage. But let us also be tender towards our wives and daughters.
Boaz was not concerned with the opinions of others. He didn’t care that Ruth was a Moabite woman. He was not too proud to associate with her. When you love God, you love people and you don’t care what other people think (1 John 4:19).
As Christians, we should reflect the character of Boaz. Boaz was generous. He shared with those in need and extended compassion to the poor. Our culture says that there are two kinds of people – poor and rich. The Bible, however, describes four kinds of people: rich and generous, rich and selfish, poor and generous, and poor and selfish. I’ve heard it said that you will either love money and use people or you will use money to love people. Boaz used his money to love people and so should we.
Boaz was welcoming. We are to help those who may be outsiders to feel at home in our church and family. Boaz was in a sense evangelistic. We should share the gospel with those like Ruth who are written off by society.
May we be people that are generous, welcoming, and evangelistic. If we will be this kind of person, we’ll change the world. Finally, in vv. 15-16, Boaz instructs his men to let Ruth get as much food as she wants and to not rebuke her.
Processing the Meeting of Boaz and Ruth (17-23)
Gleaners usually took home just enough to live on. Paid harvesters might be given a liter or so of grain for their work, which was enough to support a family. Ruth took home an ephah (v. 17), which is between 30-50 pounds of grain. This would’ve fed her and Naomi for around two months.
In vv. 18-19, Naomi wants to know how the day went. Naomi sees the enormous amount of food that Ruth has brought back, which not only included the 30-50 pounds of grain but also the leftovers from lunch. She wonders, who was the man who took notice of you? Ruth then names Boaz.
Naomi is elated! She says that Boaz has shown kindness to Ruth and Naomi and her dead husband. Remember from verse 1 that Boaz is a relative of Elimelech. Naomi informs Ruth that Boaz is a redeemer! We’ll talk more about this next week, but a kinsman-redeemer was a family member that was to care for the family of the dead.
In vv. 21-23 Ruth tells Naomi about Boaz’s promise of protection and Naomi tells Ruth to stay in Boaz’s field, because she could be assaulted if she gleans in another man’s field. Ruth gleaned in Boaz’s field throughout the harvest season, which would have lasted about two months.
Naomi and Ruth came back to Bethlehem empty. When Ruth left for the morning, she was empty. Ruth came to Boaz’s table empty and went away full. Ruth came to Boaz’s field empty and went away full.
Here’s the main takeaway from Ruth 2 – in your despair, trust God’s providence.
In your despair, trust God’s providence.
God’s fingerprints are everywhere in the story:
Ruth “happens” to end up in Boaz’s field (v. 3). Boaz notices her (vv. 3-6). Boaz extends generosity (vv. 14-20). Boaz offers protection (vv. 8-13, 21-23). Boaz is a kinsman redeemer (vv. 1, 20). Boaz was a “worthy man” (v. 1) that had the total package–integrity, valor, moral character, and wealth.
Conclusion
When you step out in faith instead of throwing a pity party, God will provide. While we don’t always understand God’s ways, we can trust He is working for our good.
In what ways can you see God’s hand at work in your life?
Ruth left for the day empty and she came back full. Ruth came to Bethlehem as a foreigner and a widow. As she trusted in God’s providence, he gives her provision and protection through the generosity of Boaz.
Boaz points to Jesus while Ruth points to the church and God’s people.
You and I are like Ruth:
- She came from Moab – we come from a spiritually sick family (Rom 3:23).
- She came empty handed – we come empty handed. We have no righteousness to offer to God (Rom 3:10-11).
- All that we have is what we have gleaned from God’s field of goodness and grace (Jam 1:17). As the great hymn How Great Thou Art says, “All thy needs thy hand had provideth.”
Boaz points us to Jesus:
- Boaz came to his field – Jesus comes to earth (John 1:14).
- Boaz pronounced a blessing over his people – Jesus came to save his people (Matt 1:21).
- Boaz approached those who were not his people and spoke love and grace to her. Jesus came to teach us about the Father (Heb 1:3).
- Boaz blessed Ruth with his generosity. Jesus blesses us by generously dying for our sins in our place (2 Cor 5:21).
The whole story of the Bible is that Jesus is a glorious Boaz and we are needy Moabites like Ruth.
The whole story of the Bible is that Jesus is a glorious Boaz and we are needy Moabites like Ruth.
If you are not a Christian, you are separated from God and you are without hope. The Bible says that God’s wrath remains on you (John 3:36).
In our story, Ruth threw herself at the feet of Boaz, thankful for his generosity. If are not a Christian, you need to throw yourself to the feet of Jesus and trust in his finished work on the cross. If you turn from your sin and trust in Christ, you will be brought near by his blood.
Ruth and Naomi came to Bethlehem in ruin, and now they are rejoicing because of the Lord’s kindness.
In your despair, look to God for provision and protection as you trust in His providence.