Ruth Meets Boaz - Comments on Ruth Chapters 2-3

Following her ten years in Moab, Naomi had now returned to Judah with her Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth. Despite many attempts by Naomi to convince Ruth to stay behind in her own country, Ruth “clung” to Naomi, and sought to make a new life for herself in Naomi’s native land under Naomi’s God.

We said last week that it seemed clear, that God had been preparing Ruth in such a way as to be able to fulfil an important role in Naomi’s future and in the future of her new adopted country. More to the point, Ruth would be part of the lineage that would track from Abraham to David, and then of course on to Jesus.

Verse 1 of chapter 2, tantalises us about the possibility of a man being available
for Ruth – a relative of Naomi’s late husband by the name of Boaz. But the text quickly moves on to the need for Ruth to be going out into the fields to try to gain food for the impoverished Naomi and herself. As we saw in chapter 1, Ruth was by no means going to be a burden to Naomi, quite the opposite.

It was indeed providential that Naomi and Ruth arrived in Judah at the beginning of harvest-time.

Ruth was going out to “glean among the ears of grain”. There would have been one very large field, divided into areas belonging to particular owners. In these areas the owner’s employees would either be cutting the sheaves with hand sickles or following behind bundling them. Now, Israelite landowners were supposed to leave the standing grain at the edges of their field, as well as the grains that were accidentally missed during harvesting, to be collected and utilised by the poor, the widows and the resident aliens who had no land of their own to cultivate. So the practice was for these poor people to follow behind the workers, and to collect for themselves what was left behind.

One would imagine though that Ruth would have been somewhat apprehensive as she sought acceptance and started her “gleaning” amongst strange people in a foreign land, where her understanding of the customs was limited and the level of reception she would receive was unpredictable.

“As it happened”!!! (v.3b) How do we interpret these words?

In some fields the poor could be treated quite badly because of their vulnerable
state. They may be denied access to the grain left behind, or verbally taunted, or worse … the women could be molested.

But, “as it happened”, Ruth had come upon the field belonging to Boaz, and we can easily see that Boaz was a ‘good’ man. Boaz had been described (in verse 1) as a “prominent rich” man – however the Hebrew word used here also suggests he was ‘highly respected’, a ‘solid citizen’ – a man of integrity. When (just at the right time) Boaz arrived at his field from his home in town, he demonstrated the goodwill he had towards his workers and the goodwill that was returned to him (refer v.4b).

Boaz showed immediate interest in this woman who he hadn’t seen before. The foreman then tells Boaz that this is the Moabite woman who came back to Judah with Naomi, and that she had asked to “glean” in this field. [It’s interesting that although the poor were supposed to have free access to the leftovers, Ruth felt compelled to ask for permission before she “gleaned”, indicating some level of reticence by some field owners to allow this – hostile landowners could have found ways of making such “gleaning” difficult for the friendless. However, in this field, it is clear that Boaz’s compassionate attitude had passed down to those he’d left in charge! No-one was grumbling about Ruth’s presence nor interfering with her.] Now, Ruth was proving, by working so hard, that she was seriously seeking to provide for herself and Naomi.

Whereas Boaz, in addressing Ruth as “my daughter” (v.8), may acknowledge the age difference between the two of them, this also begins to introduce an understanding of Boaz being related to Ruth (through her marriage to Elimelech’s son) and therefore having a level of responsibility for her well-being. Boaz offers Ruth the advice not to go off “gleaning” in the adjoining fields (where she may not be treated as well), and grants Ruth the special privilege of collecting grain close-up behind Boaz’s own workers, thus getting in first ahead of other “gleaners”.

Boaz lets Ruth know that he has put out special protection orders around her, and
that she even has the right to drink the water that the male employees have taken much trouble in drawing from the village well for their own use through the heat of the day (meaning that Ruth didn’t have to go to the trouble of drawing her own water and thus losing time in “gleaning” her grain). Boaz is a hero!!

Ruth, although being thoroughly grateful (shown in her humble attitude), still
wonders why she is receiving such favoured treatment (refer v.10), considering as a foreigner she cannot even rank with Boaz’s hired servants. Boaz responds that he has heard what Ruth has sacrificed for her mother-in-law (referring back to 2:1 – one would be tempted to think that it was Naomi herself that had made quite sure that Boaz was well and truly aware of Ruth’s loving-kindness towards her).

Boaz, in the magnificent words of verse 12, wishes upon Ruth the full blessings of Judah’s God, and quietly commits to doing whatever he personally can to bring about such a reward. [To be under God’s “wings” is to draw on the analogy of a bird protecting her young under her wings – or perhaps in this case, a tiny bird in need snuggling under the wings of a foster-mother.]

As the story progresses (v.14-17), Boaz invites Ruth to share in a meal alongside his workers, and also provides extra so that she’ll have some to take back home to Naomi. Boaz then instructs his workers to allow Ruth to collect grain amongst the standing sheaves; not only this, but these workers are actually instructed to deliberately drop and leave behind grain for Ruth to pick up (and that this can continue right through until the harvest has been completed)! At the same time as being able to keep her dignity intact, Ruth was now being treated more like a favoured member of Boaz’s household.

Of course when Ruth returned home (v.19), Naomi noticed the huge amount of grain that had been “gleaned”, and understandably asked the question as to how this had happened! Just imagine Naomi’s reaction when Ruth said that she had been working in Boaz’s field!

Naomi speaks words of blessing toward Boaz, as her greatest hopes and prayers seem to be coming to fruition – Boaz seems to be prepared to take on the responsibility of Ruth and bear consideration toward Naomi’s dead son. These compassionate actions of Boaz are drawing Naomi out of her desolation and despair toward great hope for the future. Maybe God has not totally turned against her after all! Maybe she will allow people to call her Naomi (“pleasant”) again – instead of “bitter Mara”. Maybe she won’t feel so empty for much longer!

Naomi then informs Ruth about Boaz being related to them, laying the groundwork for what will follow. It may be that Boaz will be willing to act as the ‘kinsman-redeemer’ for Ruth ie. to take the role of the (non-existent) brother of Ruth’s dead husband in providing an heir (which from Naomi’s perspective will carry on the line of her late husband Elimelech).

Where Naomi says to Ruth that she needed to seek some security for Ruth (3:1), this is code for arranging a suitable marriage for her – Naomi here fulfilling the parental role on behalf of Ruth’s best interests. After the busyness of the harvest
was over, was a going to be a good time to make a move. Naomi knew where Boaz could be pinned down – out winnowing ie. tossing grain into the air with a fork so that the wind blows away the straw and chaff – a process during which it was customary for the owner to spend the night with his grain to protect it from theft. [We men are just putty in women’s hands!!!] Naomi got Ruth to clean and pretty herself up as best she could, to go and meet up with Boaz.

When the time was appropriate, when Boaz had finished eating & drinking, become tired and laid down to rest, Ruth would lay down at his feet. Without any natural cultural understanding of such a practice, Ruth was still able to trust Naomi’s judgement, and accepted that Boaz would properly interpret what this act meant, and that things would turn out as they should.

So, what will happen next?

Anyway, what are some of the lessons we can learn from today’s part of the Ruth story?
• For those who are employers, or managers, or have leadership responsibility with people – the way we treat people has a direct correlation to how these people feel about their task, a connection to the quality of outcomes that are produced, and contributes to how they will feel about their leader in return. The manager leader is also responsible for setting the example as to how co-workers will interact, and how they will treat new people, or how they will react to people who are a bit different in appearance, beliefs and behaviour. Boaz clearly treated his workers well, as they responded warmly to him, and easily cooperated with his special requests regarding Ruth.
• Kindness will always bring about better outcomes than would otherwise be the case. Naomi showed love to Orpah and Ruth in wanting to originally keep them close to her following the death of each of their husbands. Ruth demonstrated loving-kindness to Naomi in “clinging” to her, despite the option of rejoining her own Moabite family – and this at some sacrifice considering Naomi’s ‘dark’ frame of mind. In hearing of this great kindness by Ruth toward Naomi, Boaz took Ruth under his wing, providing the means of sustenance and protection, which would lead to even greater outcomes. Through learning of Boaz’s kindness, Naomi’s faith in both God and human nature began to be restored. “Practice random acts of kindness.” We may never personally see the results, but we don’t need to – because we trust God to use them.
• Trusting the judgement of others – Naomi showed great trust in Ruth when she suggested going out to the fields to “glean” some food – that Ruth would be able to handle this situation. Ruth showed significant trust in Boaz, that he would be able to deliver the promised protection to alleviate her apprehension. Having been given good reason, Naomi was able to trust Boaz with the future well-being of Ruth. Ruth showed tremendous trust in Naomi’s judgement when it came to ‘cosying’ up to Boaz. Mother-in-law & daughter-in-law had formed a really close relationship such that they could trust each other. Not everyone we meet or even befriend is completely trustworthy, however when we find someone who proves to be really reliable, we should seek to benefit from their experience, and listen to their advice.