Book of Ruth

Chapter 2

After a ten-year absence, Naomi and one of her two Moabite, widowed daughter-in-laws, return to Bethlehem.  She had left with her Hebrew husband and two teen sons but now returned in a much different situation.   The villagers were “stirred” by this – not only because of the tragedy of Naomi’s experience while away in Moab but likely also because (to be blunt) here are two penniless additional mouths to feed – and one of them isn’t even a Hebrew, a young woman who probably can’t be married off – young but a Moabite, one of the enemies of the Hebrews.  This is where Chapter One (Act 1 in this Readers’ Play) leaves off….  Perhaps there was a short intermission, and now….. Act 2

2:1-7

1.    “Gleaning”  was a unique aspect of Old Testament Law (often continued in Christian lands).  See Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 24:19-22, Exodus 23:10-11.    Note that this “remaining” was not ONLY for the poor but also for the foreigner. 

2.     A new character enters the play…. a worthy man named Boaz.  The point that he is a relative of Naomi’s usually would not be special (people in these little villages were pretty much ALL related to each other!), but remember:  Naomi is not from the tribe of Judah, she was an Ephrathites.  Evidently, there were others from that northern tribe also in Bethlehem.  It so happens, one of these (likely few) was Boaz.  He would naturally take special interest in Naomi, a relative, but would not normally be expected to take unusual notice of Ruth.

3.    It seems Naomi was unable to participate in any gleaning, but Ruth goes for the two of them.  Remember: the Jewish Law was ALSO for foreigners – so Ruth is permitted to do this.   And it seems she does it LONG and HARD and WELL (see verse 7), collecting all she can for herself and for Naomi. 

4.    While Ruth begins gleaning without reference to whose land this was, she takes special note when she enters the land of Boaz. 

5.    Boaz himself comes to greet the reapers, greeting them with a typical Jewish blessing:  “The Lord be with you!”  And they respond, “The Lord also bless you!”   This BLESSING at meeting and leaving people was common among the Jews and early Christians – but is sadly a custom lost. 

2:7-9

1.    Boaz asks about a new person in the field….. it is reported to him that she is Ruth, a Moabite who had returned with Naomi.   Obviously, he is well aware of the situation but simply had not met Ruth.

2.    Boas addresses Ruth directly.  “My daughter” not only implies that Ruth is younger than he, but it is a familiar term of endearment, he is embracing her as a family member, as someone he cares about.  DO NOT MISS:  She is not Hebrew, she is not of his clan.   Here is a strong, strong theme of universal grace, of equal mercy to ALL people – regardless of race, color, gender, etc.  And note that he is going far beyond what the Law required of him.

3.    He instructs him to not glean elsewhere, but only in his own farm.  We can’t be sure the reasons for this, but it’s likely two:  First, he will permit her to glean MORE than what is left over, he is essentially saying she is welcome to all she and Naomi need from his land – don’t perhaps press her luck with others and perhaps limit herself to the glean.  Second, he may fear ill treatment of her – either because she is a Moabite (enemies of the Hebrews) or perhaps because she is young, single and (evidently) very attractive (verse 9?).  In any case, he seems to be proceeding from a strong sense that she NEEDS his protection and help.  And he freely gives it – as “my daughter.”    “Keep close to my young women” simply means to the female farm workers he has working there; they too will protect her and help her (no doubt by his order). 

2:10-13

1.    Verse 10.  Ruth’s question is well founded, but it’s not a question – it’s heart felt appreciation!  

2.     Boaz notes not ONLY her faithfulness to Naomi (a relative of his) but also of her now Jewish faith – she IS a sister in the faith.  Note:  One CAN be a fellow believer ( a brother and sister in that sense) but be of an entirely different race, culture, etc.   These are not common themes in the Old Testament but it’s very central to this book!

2:14-16

1.    Verse 14.  As one of the gleaners, she sits to eat – doing do with the young, female reapers with whom Boaz instructed her to associate.  But as she does, Boaz (who perhaps was also eating among them) offers her some of his food.  While this isn’t the same as inviting her to a State Dinner in her Honor, it IS a strong gesture of grace.  “Leftovers” simply means there was more food available than Ruth and the reapers could eat; she was well fed. 

2.    Verse 15.   The farm hands are told that Ruth will MORE THAN glean….. she may take what we wants from BEFORE it’s harvested and bundled, not after.  And from what IS harvested – pull some out for HER – and when she picks it up, consider it “gleaning.”   Ruth and Naomi are being provided for; this is no longer just the mandated “gleaning.” 

2:17-23

1.    Verse 17.  And Ruth gathers at LOT!   An “ephah” of barley” would be 29 POUNDS of barley – what they “gleaned” that day would be enough for the two of them for many days….  Point:  there is a superabundance of grace here – to Ruth, a Moabite, who simply is in need of grace.

2.     Verse 18-19.  Evidently, Naomi was unaware of the special grace Boaz was bestowing on Ruth (and her)…. 

3.    Verse 20.  She immediately praises God for Boaz, and blesses him….  She too responds with gratitude. 

4.    “He is one of our redeemers”.   While Christians see a LOT of similarity between Boaz and Jesus, and while this term CAN refer to a very specific law involving indentured servitude, here is likely means that Boaz is a relative – and thus one who is to be embraced as a helper, provider, even “savior” of a sort.  It is a term of praise for Boaz. 

5.    Verse 21.  That exact instruction isn’t recorded earlier in the chapter…  But the point is well taken.

End of Act 2…..

What questions fill you at this point?  What “loose ends” are left?    Pretending you didn’t read ahead, what might you be expecting in Act 3?