Day 10 – Ruth 2:14-23
Well, I love a good love story and right here we start to see the love! Boaz not only notices Ruth, he pays special attention to her. She gets extra food. The harvesters are told to purposefully drop more barley for her. He loads her up with food at the end of the day. He talks to her. Boaz likes her. Can’t you just tell? All the signs are there. This makes me smile.
Naomi is pretty amazed by all of this, too. When Ruth comes home with a ton of food and leftovers from the lunch Boaz provided, Naomi has to ask. Who in the world was this kind to Ruth? When she discovers it’s Boaz, she realizes that Boaz is a “kinsman-redeemer.” Now, we looked at a situation earlier in Deuteronomy concerning widows and kinsman-redeemers. The case presented in Deuteronomy was that of a young widow whose husband dies before they have children. There’s a brother available in this case to marry the widow on behalf of his brother and enable her to have a son to carry on the dead man’s name and inherit the property. Boaz may or may not be as closely related. The important thing to remember as this story progresses is that a kinsman-redeemer steps in to enable a widow to give birth to a son to take the place of her dead husband in order to own the property and carry on the family name. We’ll learn more in the days ahead.
I’d like to also point out that Ruth’s hard work and unique love for Naomi has caused people to notice her and talk about her. Just by doing what was right … our Ruth has had favorable reviews. Boaz has heard of her from others! In fact, Boaz pronounced a beautiful blessing on our penniless Ruth from Moab in yesterday’s passage. I love verse 12. “May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” What a wonderful blessing. That Ruth, who has sheltered under God’s wings for refuge, would be rewarded fully for her loving service! I love picturing Ruth feeling all sheltered and loved as Boaz said these words!
Naomi urges Ruth to stay in Boaz’s fields. Let’s not forget that Ruth’s story takes place at the time of the judges in Israel, where oftentimes people behaved badly. In another field, Ruth could have been harmed. But just look at how God truly was looking out for her and giving her a refuge by sending her to Boaz’s well-ordered fields!
Last thought: Sometimes we don’t have to speak loudly about our faith. By simply working hard, not shirking the parts of our jobs that are tedious or unpleasant, not swearing, not gossiping but speaking kindly … we will stand out as different. Just by doing life in a God -honoring way. Let’s be like Ruth. And isn’t it nice to know that God IS a place of refuge?
My verse: Ruth 2:17 “So Ruth gathered barley there all day, and when she beat out the grain that evening, it filled an entire basket.”
My response: What a hard worker she was. Gleaning in the hot fields with only short breaks … then beating out all the grain. I am tired just thinking of her doing all that work. Her arms must have been so sore. Lord, thank You for this beautiful woman, so worthy of notice and remembering.”
2 Comments. Leave new
My verse is 20 in the NLT.
“May the Lord bless him!” Naomi told her daughter-in-law. “He is showing his
kindness to us as well as to your dear husband. That man is
one of our closest relatives, one of our family redeemers.”
This verse tells of the dedication and kindness Boaz has for
his family. Naomi is pleased to hear of his kindness to
Ruth and allowing her to gather grain with his harvesters.
Dear Father, I pray to love, care for and protect my family,
as Boaz did and in a way that honors You. Thank You
for family. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Boaz is such a good example, too, of being protective and generous. I love this story SO much!! It’s so rare and so wonderful to see people behaving well and blessing one another.