Ruth 1:1 – 2:16 (Review)
Ruth 2:14 And at mealtime In Strength (Boaz) said to her, “Come here, and eat from the [worker’s] bread and dip your portion in the vinegar.” So she sat down beside the workers; and he passed her roasted grain. Then she ate and was satisfied and even had some left.
15 When she rose to glean, In Strength (Boaz) commanded his servants, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not insult her.
16 “And also you shall purposely pull out some grain for her from the bundles and leave it that she may glean it, and do not rebuke her.”
Introduction
Our text this morning picks back up in our study of the book of Ruth.
However, this morning I want us to spend our time in review in order to get us back into the flow of the book. Now to accomplish this, I want to begin by reminding you of the major themes that are central to the entire account.
Not only that, as we review these major themes, it will also give us an opportunity to touch on the major events that have taken place so far in the book.
First, the Book of Ruth is a book that is all about names. That is, the author constantly plays the Hebrew meaning of a name off against the reality of a situation in order to show us the deeper spiritual factors at work.
Thus, Naomi’s name in Hebrew is literally “My Pleasant One” (Naomi is pleasant to YHWH); Ruth’s original Moabite name has been changed to the Hebrew name “Companion” (as such it points to her genuine conversion and acceptance of YHWH); finally, Boaz means “In Strength” and so underscore his faith and the fact that YHWH is the strength of “In Strength”. Therefore, throughout the book of Ruth, you are reminded to pay attention to the names.
Next, this notion of names is tied to another great them of the book: The book of Ruth is all about the Future.
As such, we see names of those, who because of their unfaithfulness, have forsaken their place in the role, genealogy and God’s ongoing plan for His people.
At the same time, as we watch Ruth incorporated into God’s people and see God’s amazing care for both her and Naomi, we are reminded that the whole point of the book of Ruth is the way that God is using this deliverance of two unassuming and impoverished women (one of whom is a foreigner) to establish David as King to deliver His entire people, a Messiah from that King who will deliver the entire world, and a salvation that will secure the eternal future of all God’s people. In other words, the whole point of the book of Ruth is the future that God has given His people and God’s ongoing/unending commitment to each one of His children.
Next, the book of Ruth is a book all about legal transactions.
Remember Naomi’s husband took his family to live in pagan Moab where his two sons decide to marry pagan women and establish permanent residence. However, after Naomi’s husband and two sons die (thus leaving Naomi and her two Moabite daughters-in-law widowed), Naomi decides to return to God’s land. Along the way, Naomi gives her two daughters-in-law an official, legally binding release from all their obligations to her. Not only that, as the acting head of the family, she commands her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and return to their father’s house. However, while Orpah (whose name means “Back Turner”) heed’s Naomi’s instruction, Ruth trumps Naomi’s authority by appealing to YHWH. That is, Ruth binds herself with an official, legally binding vow to YHWH, to Naomi, the mother of her faith, and to YHWH’s people. As such, Ruth returns with Naomi to Bethlehem and the land of God’s people. In fact, as we continue in the book we will again be reminded that the Book of Ruth is not the Hallmark book of the Bible. That is, the book of Ruth is not driven by romance or sentiment. Instead, the book hinges/pivots on these binding legal transactions. Now that is not to say that the book of Ruth is heartless or dispassionate. Instead, it is a book that turns on a genuine and committed love for YHWH.
Notice then, when Naomi and Ruth finally arrive in Bethlehem the whole town is abuzz. Naomi left with her husband and two sons. However, she has returned widowed, childless, destitute and with a foreign, widowed daughter-in-law as a dependent. Her situation is dire. Not only that, she has completely missed the quiet hand of God’s deliverance. She does not see that God has completely removed the unfaithful leadership that carried her off to a pagan land. She doesn’t consider that she is once again standing in God’s land with God’s people after years of being away. Not only that, she has failed to take into account the fact that God has worked salvation in her Moabite daughter-in-law’s heart. Instead, Naomi is overwhelmed and convinced that God’s hand is against her. In fact, in a book that is all about names she tells the town folks, do not call me “Pleasant” to YHWH, call me Mara (“Bitter”) for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. However, what Naomi and all the town folks gathered around her do not yet see is that in the quiet Moabite girl who has been pushed to the side in all the excitement God is already preparing the means of Naomi’s deliverance, as well as their own.
Finally, the book of Ruth is all about YHWH’s Acceptance.
After arriving in Bethlehem, Ruth goes out to the field to try and glean/scavenge grain for her and Naomi to eat. However, gleaning is not safe (especially for a foreign woman). Therefore, Ruth promises Naomi to get permission from any landowner before she gleans on his land. However, while gleaning, Ruth inadvertently wanders into a field where she does not have permission to glean. That field just happens to belong to Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s deceased husband (no one sees it yet, but God’s hand is at work). However, instead of running her off, Boaz tells her not to go glean in any other field. Instead, she is to stay in his field, where he will insure her safety. Not only that, he moves her from last in the gleaning line to actually standing with his own workers (something no gleaner was allowed to do).
Well needless to say, Ruth is absolutely baffled by Boaz’s kindness. She can’t understand why this landowner, who she has never met before, has shown her such extraordinary favor; especially since she is a foreigner? However, Boaz knows all about Ruth’s devotion and dedication to Naomi. Not only that, he also knows all about Ruth’s conversion. Simply put, Ruth is no longer a foreigner. Instead, she is a child of God. As such, it is YHWH’s acceptance of Ruth that is the basis for Boaz’s acceptance and kindness.
Verse 14-16 (Review)
Notice at once the picture of acceptance that begins to emerge: Not only has Boaz given Ruth protection and the unheard of privilege of gleaning right beside his workers, at mealtime Boaz personally and publically goes and gets Ruth and sits her with his workers. In other words, Boaz’s acceptance of Ruth sets the standard for his workers acceptance of her. Not only that, he also gives her a share in the food that he has provided exclusively for those workers. In fact, such is Boaz’s provision that Ruth is filled and even has a good amount left over (spoiler alert: you are going to want to watch these leftovers because you will see them again. And just as this to-go box shows us Boaz’s heart, it is going to show us Ruth’s heart as well). Importance: remember YHWH is the strength of In Strength. Therefore, as we watch Boaz’ actions, we are seeing a picture of just what YHWH’s acceptance means. It is public, lavish, and beyond our expectation.
Verse 15
Next, notice verse 15 tells us that when the meal was over, and as his workers stand to return to the field, Boaz issues a command in the hearing of all. Boaz tells his workers not only to let Ruth accompany them (thereby allowing her to glean in the first and best place). He now adds that they are to let her glean from the newly cut heads of grain before the bundling girls get to them. In other words, Boaz has just added to the already unheard of privilege of standing with the worker while she gleans, the extraordinary privilege of actually gleaning from the piles (not that are left or missed but) that are yet to be bundled. Next, Boaz warns his staff not to harass or insult Ruth for doing what he has allowed. Notice then the picture of acceptance: YHWH’s acceptance of Ruth means that she is not only placed with His native people, she is to be treated/viewed as such. In other words, YHWH’s acceptance means the security of His comprehensive acceptance.
Verse 16
Notice at once the comical scene with which verse 16 opens: as Boaz addressed his workers a stunned silence fell over the entire group. Ruth is speechless. Boaz has just given this foreign chick first shot at all the grain. And while all of this is still rattling around everyone’s brain, Boaz says, “And furthermore”. Notice then Boaz tells his workers that they are purposefully to pull out some of the grain from their bundles and leave it for Ruth to glean. Now normally the bundlers are supposed to be careful to drop as little grain as possible. But Boaz has just ordered his workers to deliberately pull some grain out of each bundle and throw it on the ground (which by OT law makes it the right of a gleaner). In other words, Boaz’s already lavish provision has just gone to the level of ridiculous. Notice the result: notice the pattern and consistency of acceptance: Boaz has made sure that just as Ruth was amply provided for at lunch, so she and Naomi will also be amply provided for with a supply of grain. Simply put, Boaz is providing more than just a gesture of kindness. He is providing down right deliverance.
Bottom line: as our passage ends, we watch the baffled workers return to the field shaking their heads and muttering. Ruth too is no less perplexed. Remember, she still has no idea who Boaz is. However, as we watch them all go, it is vital to remember that YHWH is the strength of In Strength. Therefore, as we observe YHWH’s instrument (Boaz), we are seeing YHWH’s acceptance in action. And such is the heart of YHWH, that His acceptance/deliverance/provisions are always more than we could ever expect or dream.