Suggested reading before you begin: Ruth 2 in your preferred Bible.
(I will quote the New International Version when needed.)
Yesterday, as we opened the Book of Ruth, we watched Naomi and Ruth
walk the lonely road from Moab to Bethlehem. Grief filled the air, yet
Ruth’s vow shone like a candle in the night.
Today, chapter 2 widens the circle. A new character—Boaz—steps onto the
stage, and the God who seemed silent in chapter 1 quietly writes
providence into every furrow of a barley field.
• Calendar: Early April, near the beginning of the barley harvest
(see 2 Sam 21:9).
• Geography: The fields around Bethlehem lie on terraced hillsides.
Archaeologists have uncovered ancient threshing floors on those ridges,
confirming how grain was processed in open, breezy places.
• Social custom: Israel’s poor could “glean”—pick up leftover
stalks—because the Law said landowners must leave the edges of their
fields uncut (Leviticus 19:9–10; Deuteronomy 24:19). To a Western
reader, Ruth’s gleaning can look like simple welfare. In truth it was
dignified work: she labored, but Israel’s covenant kindness made room
for her.
Verse 3: “As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to
Boaz.”
Hebrew readers would nod knowingly: the word is
miqreh—“chance.” The writer tips his hat to coincidence while
inviting us to see the opposite. Providence often hides behind ordinary
accidents. Compare Proverbs 16:9 (“In their hearts humans plan their
course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”).
Ruth:
• Foreign, young, vulnerable.
• Yet brave enough to ask, “Let me glean…” (v. 2).
• Her work ethic dazzles the reapers (v. 7).
• The narrator praises her hesed—loyal, covenant love (v.
11).
Boaz:
• “A man of standing” (gibbôr ḥayil), often translated “mighty
man of valor” (v. 1).
• His first recorded words: “The Lord be with you!” (v. 4). Ancient
rabbis note that a person’s first words reveal character.
• Acts with generosity that exceeds the Law: protected Ruth, fed her,
and sent her home with an ephah (~30 lbs) of grain.
Early church writers saw Boaz as a type of Christ—the kinsman-redeemer who shelters outsiders under his wings (v. 12, cf. Luke 13:34).
• Hesed (v. 20) – steadfast, covenant kindness. A thread
that ties Genesis to Revelation.
• Go’el (v. 20) – “kinsman-redeemer.” A family member who buys
back land, freedom, or a widow’s future. The word echoes loudly in
Isaiah 41–63 and reaches its climax in Christ (Ephesians 1:7).
The chapter moves in a gentle chiastic structure (A-B-C-B´-A´):
A. Ruth asks to glean (vv. 1–3)
B. Dialogue with Boaz (vv. 4–14)
C. Midday meal—grace in abundance (v. 14)
B´. Dialogue with Naomi (vv. 18–22)
A´. Ruth continues gleaning (v. 23)
The center (C) is a picture of table fellowship—foretaste of the Lord’s Supper where Jew and Gentile sit side by side.
John Calvin noted, “God often bestows more than His children dare to
crave.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote from prison, “We pray for crumbs and are given
loaves.”
• Leviticus 19:9–10 – Law of gleaning.
• Psalm 36:7 – “People take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.”
• Proverbs 31:10 – ḥayil woman; same root used for Boaz. Both
model noble character.
• Ephesians 2:12–13 – “You who were once far away have been brought
near.”
• Sitting with reapers: In the Ancient Near East, a female outsider
rarely shared a meal with male workers. Boaz breaks social fences.
• Roasted grain (v. 14): A simple snack, still common in Israel’s
countryside. Even the small detail grounds the story in everyday
life.
• Evening winnowing: Women usually threshed in the mornings; Ruth stays
“till evening.” Her effort is heroic.
Where are today’s “edges of the field”?
• Time margins—hours we leave free to serve.
• Financial margins—money we hold loosely.
• Social margins—spaces where outsiders may safely gather.
Invite God to write providence into your margins.
“There Is a Redeemer” (Melody Green, 1982) – The refrain, “Thank You, O my Father, for giving us Your Son,” mirrors Naomi’s praise, “The Lord has not stopped showing His hesed” (v. 20).
Faithful Redeemer,
You guide our steps even when we think we wander by chance.
Teach us to leave wide edges on our fields,
to welcome the stranger,
to labor with joy,
and to trust Your quiet providence.
Under Your wings we find refuge;
through Jesus Christ, our greater Boaz, we pray.
Amen.