Life Lessons from the Book of Ruth

Ruth 2:1

And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.

Kinsman = relative. “Mighty” – that is, “chief,” or “powerful.” Wealth is a Hebrew word meaning “force” or “resources” wealth, or ability or reputation).

The Bible is no mystery story and it often introduces characters ahead of time. The NIV calls Boaz a “man of standing” in the community.

Ruth 2:2

And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go my daughter.

“Ears of corn” – that is, heads of grain. Gleaning, picking up grain missed by the reapers was an ancient means of help to the poor (Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 24:19-22).

We find something more of Ruth’s character in these verses. Her outward condition was low and poor, but her character, her inward condition was high and rich. Here are a few observations of what we see in this verse concerning her character?

1. She had humility. She was willing to stoop to the lowly task of gleaning.
2. She was industrious. Gleaning is hard work for little return.
3. She was considerate in asking Naomi’s permission.
4. She had courage. It was a risky thing to venture out into the harvest fields among people whose character she did not know.
5. She had initiative and was timely in her action. She did not wait around to be asked. She did not sit around expecting God or someone to meet their need for food.
6. She had faith that God would honor her initiative and grant her favor so that she would be permitted to glean in a suitable place.

Ruth 2:3

And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

Her “hap” = Hebrew miqreh, meaning something met with. NIV translates it well: “as it turned out.” This did not happen by chance. God was at work! Here is Boaz, her deceased father-in-law’s relative.

“Part of the field” – this probably would have been a common field, owned by the villagers and divided by lot each year so that each would eventually have a chance to plat one of the better parts of the field. Fields were usually laid out in long narrow strips for ease in plowing and harvesting. The had no fences or walls, but had stone corner landmarks, and the narrow ends of the strips would usually adjoin the road to even out the loss of grain to those who passed by (as described in Luke 6:1).

Dear God, Watching Your story unfold makes me smile – I can see You setting the stage for Ruth (and Boaz and Naomi). Give me patience to watch Your story unfold for my life, too, God. And help me to be more like Ruth, ready, willing, and doing what needs to be done to provide for myself and my family – even if it may seem like a demeaning position (or a job for a high schooler). Amen.