Ruth 2:8-16

Ruth Meets Boaz

⁸ Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. ⁹ Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.” ¹⁰ Then she fell on her face, bowing 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?” 11 But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. 12 The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward is given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” ¹³ Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.”

¹⁴ And at mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed to her roasted grain. And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over. ¹⁵ When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. ¹⁶ And also pull out some from the bundles for her and leave it for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.”

In today’s passage, after the story characters were introduced, and Naomi and Ruth arrive back in Bethlehem, Ruth now has her first conversation with Boaz. Boaz spoke first. He told Ruth to stay in his fields to pick up grain after the harvesters and don’t go anywhere else. Boaz tells Ruth that he instructed his harvesters to not touch or harass her as she gathers grain. Instead, they are to leave grain for her to pick up and give her a drink of water anytime she needs it. Boaz, whose name in Hebrew means “strength,” is speaking as a man of wealth and one whose character is worthy (Ruth 2:1). He owns the land and has harvesters working for him. He tells his workers what to do and that they must not harass Ruth. Boaz’s servants are obedient to their master’s commands.

Ruth observes all that is happening and what Boaz has said. From her response, it seems she was overwhelmed with her emotions of gratitude. Ruth falls down prostrate before Boaz in humility with reverential gratitude and awe. I really do not think Ruth premeditated and planned her response with Boaz. In a beautiful response of humility and grace, Ruth said, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me since I am a foreigner?” (Ruth 2:10). This response is a picture of how one needs to respond to gifts of unmerited favor, which Christians call “grace.” For example, we are saved by the agreement and work of our Eternal God: the Father elects, the Son lays down His life, and the Holy Spirit convicts and brings a new birth to the life of a believer. Ephesians 2:8-10 says is well; in that, we are saved by grace through faith, and not of works. We do not deserve the grace God has given us. In the same way, Ruth, a Moabite, did not deserve to be treated in this favorable and gracious manner by Boaz. Moabites were an idolatrous nation and enemies of Yahweh. Yet, Boaz displays the inner strength of his character by instructing his workers to not touch or harass Ruth while she is there with them. And they obey all his words. Boaz speaks and tells Ruth that not only he, but everyone in Bethlehem know how lovingly she has treated her mother-in-law, by leaving her home in Moab, and coming to Bethlehem, a land she did not know, so she can help Naomi. Boaz pronounces a blessing onto Ruth. He said in Ruth 2:13, “The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward is given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” We must take note, Ruth’s expressions of lovingkindness to her mother-in-law, which provide evidence that she has come to trust and take refuge in the Lord, the God of Israel.

In application, we need to study and rest on God’s Word as revealed in this Book of Ruth. Some truths may be difficult for us to understand, as we shall see. I pray that these truths become applicable to us today, for they come from the Word of God. First, we see the inner virtue of a righteous woman. Ruth portrays a godly character that we need to imitate. Boaz and the whole town are rejoicing and commending Ruth for leaving her family in Moab so she can help and be a friend to Naomi in Bethlehem of Judah. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” We also need to let our good works show as evidence of our faith and the changed life we have in Christ.

Secondly, Ruth professed her faith and trust in the God of Israel. Boaz commended her for leaving her mother and father in Moab to come and trust in the Lord God of Israel. I am sure Ruth loved her parents, but she rather leaves them and goes to a land she did not know. Like the promise God gave to Abraham (Hebrew 11:8-12), Ruth was willing to leave and forsake all to go with Naomi. Many would never consider the choice to forsake all for Christ, even it if meant their mother, fathers, and children. But Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:37, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 19:29 says, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” And in Luke 14:26, it says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Christ is not violating His own Ten Commandments to tell us to hate our parents. Instead, He is establishing precedence for our devotional life. As Christians, our priorities should always be” “Jesus is first, Others are second, and You are last!” How sad it is in our world of “selfies” and “Have-it-Your-Way” slogans. Instead, we need to focus and seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. I hope and pray this is your prayer too.

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My Eternal God, I worship You who is sovereign over the world and especially, over my life. I commit my trust of faith and dependence on You. However, I do confess that I have fears and I sinfully hold on to the burdens that weigh me down. Teach me and help to cast all my cares on You. Help me to fully realize that without You, I am nothing. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen!

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I’d Rather Have Jesus, by Oscar C. A. Bernadotte in 1888