AM Bible Study Group; December 29, 2010
Ruth 2:1-16
Theme: This passage highlights to us the character of the kinsman-redeemer whose help Ruth sought.
In chapter two, we’re finally introduced to the kinsman-redeemer Boaz. But it’s not until 2:20 that he is truly introduced to us as the kinsman-redeemer. What we’re shown in the first half of chapter two is the kinsman-redeemers character before we’re shown the kinsman-redeemer’s work.
In this display of Boaz’ character, we’re shown a picture of our great Kinsman-Redeemer Jesus who is Himself "without spot" (Hebrews 9:14), and "altogether lovely" (Song of Solomon 5:16). He was able to do for us what He did because of who He was. And from this story, we’re also shown that the main motivation Jesus serving as our Redeemer is His own love for us.
I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT BROUGHT RUTH TO BOAZ (vv. 1-3).
A. We’re told at the very beginning that Boaz was "a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech" (v. 1). He was not, therefore, a relative of Naomi—which would not have been any benefit to her in her need—but a relative of her husband, and thus a man suited to be her kinsman-redeemer. His name is the same name as one of the pillars in the temple of Solomon (see 1 Kings 7:21—a name which means "In It Is Strength". He is a man in whom is strength to redeem because, as we’re told, he was a man of great wealth.
B. Ruth, of course, didn’t know about him. In her and Naomi’s state of great need, she pleaded with her mother-in-law to allow her to "glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor" (v. 2)—not knowing who that might be. Permitting the poor to glean among the fields was commanded in the law (Leviticus 19:9-10; 23:22; Deuteronomy 24:19); but because these were the troubled days of the judges (see 1:1), it may have been dangerous to do so. It may be that few farmers followed the law; and that the land was filled with those who might take advantage of her. It must have been that she and Naomi were very hungry; and their only hope was that Ruth go and find favor in someone’s eyes. .
C. Naomi gave permission to Ruth; and "she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech" (v. 3). Her ‘happenstance’ was God’s providence to lead her to her kinsman-redeemer.
II. THE CHARACTER OF BOAZ THE KINSMAN-REDEEMER (vv. 4-16).
A. In a time of history that was characterized by great trouble and ungodliness, Boaz stands out as a man of godly character. We’re told that he came out of Bethlehem (and just think of the words of verse 4; "’He in whom is strength’ came from Bethlehem"!) and greeted his laborers with "The LORD be with you!" And they greeted him in return, "The LORD bless you!" This may have been, to some degree, a customary greeting (Psalm 129:7-8); but even so, can you imagine a boss and his laborers greeting one another that way today? Boaz—like our Lord—was a man who brought a blessing!
B. Boaz is also like our Lord in that he noticed those in need. "Whose young woman is this?" he asked, as he saw Ruth gleaning (v. 5). He was told, "It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab" (v. 6). The servant explained to Boaz that Ruth had asked permission to glean and gather after the reapers. He also reported how diligently she has worked—only taking a short period of rest (v. 7). No doubt Boaz had heard of her, since Naomi’s return to Bethlehem had been the talk of the town (1:19); but it seems that until now, he hadn’t seen her. She stood out to him by her humility and diligence, and we can detect love right away for the young foreign girl. How grateful we can be that Jesus looked upon us in love too!
C. Note Boaz’ compassionate and tender care for Ruth. To glean in those days was dangerous—especially for a vulnerable young girl in need. He told her "You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not glean in another field, nor go from her, but stay close by my young women" (v. 8); that is, the young women who worked for Boaz in binding the grain. He wanted Ruth to seek to have her needs met only in his field. Like Jesus is toward us, he wanted her to find him to be all she needed.
D. Boaz was courteous to her. "Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them" (v. 9). She didn’t have to wait until the harvesting happened. She could draw close to the reapers. "Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn". She was welcomed to draw close and to enjoy the benefits of Boaz’s field.
E. Note too that Boaz recognized the good things that Ruth did. We’re told that she fell on her face before him, bowed to the ground, and said, "Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” (v. 10). In response, he explained that it was because he knew of the kindness and sacrifice she had shown toward Naomi. "It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. (v. 11). Also, he knew that this was because of her reverence toward God. He said, "The LORD repay your work and a full reward be given to you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge" (v. 12). Like Boaz, our Lord notices those who seek God and is gracious toward them. Her words in verse 13 were an expression of accepting his generosity and desiring more: “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord; for you have comforted me, and have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants.”
F. Note even further how generous Boaz was in his kindness to Ruth. He allowed her to eat from his own table and to take of his own food so that she was satisfied and even had some left over (v. 14; see also v. 18). When she rose again to glean, he told his reapers to let her even glean among the sheaves without rebuke (that is, not among what is left when the reaping was over), and to even let grain fall from the bundles deliberately for her; saying "leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her" (v. 16).
* * * * * * * * * * *
When the last chapter ended, we’re told that she and Naomi came to Bethlehem "at the beginning of barley harvest" (1:22); and by the time she left from this first day in the fields of Boaz, we’re told that she came home with "about an ephah of barley"—a very generous supply! Truly the field of Boaz was a field of grace!
Jesus’ toward us is being pictured in this passage. As we’re told in Ephesians 5:25-29:
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.