“There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” And they answered him, “The Lord bless you!” Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.” Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women. Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. 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.” So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” And Boaz answered and said to her, “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. The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” Then she said, “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.” Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, “Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back. And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.” So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. Then she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. So she brought out and gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satisfied. And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? And where did you work? Blessed be the one who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.” Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!” And Naomi said to her, “This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives.” Ruth the Moabitess said, “He also said to me, ‘You shall stay close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’ ” And Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, and that people do not meet you in any other field.” So she stayed close by the young women of Boaz, to glean until the end of barley harvest and wheat harvest; and she dwelt with her mother-in-law.”
Ruth 2:1-23 NKJV
Ruth 2 continues the story of faith and providence as Ruth begins to glean in the fields to provide for herself and Naomi. The setting of the barley harvest is not incidental—it is deeply significant, especially after a famine. In this chapter, we see God’s invisible hand at work through Boaz, a man of integrity and generosity. Ruth’s humility, diligence, and faith shine as she steps into an unknown future, trusting in God’s provision.
Exegesis of Ruth 2
1. Ruth 2:1-7 – Ruth Gleans in Boaz’s Field
Introduction to Boaz
Boaz, a “worthy man” of Bethlehem, is introduced as a relative of Elimelech (Ruth 2:1). The description of his character signals that God is beginning to provide hope and stability for Naomi and Ruth.
His role as a kinsman-redeemer hints at the coming redemption that will secure Ruth and Naomi’s future.
Ruth’s Initiative
Ruth demonstrates her humility and faith by seeking permission to glean in the fields, a right granted to the poor, widows, and foreigners by Mosaic law (Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 24:19-22).
Her diligence is immediately evident as she works from morning until evening (Ruth 2:7).
Divine Providence
The phrase “she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz” (Ruth 2:3) emphasizes God’s providential guidance. What seems like chance is God’s plan unfolding.
Boaz’s notice of Ruth highlights her reputation for loyalty and hard work (Ruth 2:5-7).
2. Ruth 2:8-16 – Boaz Protects and Provides for Ruth
Boaz’s Kindness
Boaz extends extraordinary kindness to Ruth, offering her protection and the freedom to glean among his workers (Ruth 2:8-9). His actions surpass the basic requirements of the law, reflecting his godly character.
Ruth’s Humility
Ruth’s response shows her gratitude and humility: “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” (Ruth 2:10). Her acknowledgment of her outsider status underscores her faith in God’s mercy.
God’s Blessing Through Boaz
Boaz acknowledges Ruth’s faithfulness to Naomi and blesses her: “The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge” (Ruth 2:12).
Boaz ensures Ruth is well-fed and instructs his workers to leave extra grain for her, showing generosity rooted in compassion (Ruth 2:14-16).
3. Ruth 2:17-23 – Naomi Recognizes God’s Hand
Ruth’s Diligence and Provision
Ruth gathers about an ephah of barley (30–50 pounds), demonstrating her hard work and God’s provision (Ruth 2:17). This bounty is far more than a typical gleaner would expect, emphasizing the generosity of Boaz and God’s providence.
The Significance of the Barley Harvest
Barley was the first crop to be harvested in Israel’s agricultural year, coinciding with the Feast of Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-14). This festival celebrated God’s provision and renewed hope after a season of waiting.
After a famine, the barley harvest symbolized the end of scarcity and the beginning of restoration. Ruth’s return with an abundance of barley signals a shift from Naomi’s bitterness to the hope of redemption.
Naomi’s Spiritual Renewal
Naomi’s heart begins to change as she recognizes God’s kindness through Boaz: “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” (Ruth 2:20).
The mention of Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer introduces the hope of a more permanent solution to their plight.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the setting of the barley harvest emphasize God’s faithfulness and provision?
- What can we learn from Ruth’s humility and diligence as she steps out in faith?
- How does Boaz’s generosity and protection reflect God’s character?
- How does Naomi’s change in attitude inspire us to recognize God’s hand in difficult times?
Life Applications
- Hope in God’s Timing: Just as the barley harvest brought renewed hope after famine, trust that God’s timing will bring restoration in seasons of difficulty.
- Faithfulness in Work: Ruth’s example reminds us to approach even humble tasks with diligence and integrity, trusting that God will honor our efforts.
- Reflect God’s Generosity: Boaz’s actions challenge us to go beyond the minimum in helping others, demonstrating God’s love through kindness and compassion.
- Recognize God’s Providence: Naomi’s renewed hope encourages us to see God’s hand in every blessing, big or small, and to give Him thanks.
Conclusion
The setting of the barley harvest is deeply symbolic in Ruth 2. It marks the beginning of a season of hope and provision after a time of famine and bitterness. Ruth’s faith, Boaz’s kindness, and Naomi’s renewed trust in God remind us that God’s providence often works through the ordinary details of life. As we trust in Him, He brings restoration and abundance.