BIBLE STUDIES ARCHIVE.....

The Book of Ruth, Part Two

GLEANING IN THE FIELDS OF BETHLEHEM
To continue this study of the Book of Ruth, please refer to Ruth (1) for interesting facts, meaning of names of the people and the countries and important cultural concepts. These all help to illuminate the spiritual significance to this beautiful love story.
RUTH 2:1 states "And Naoimi had a kinsman of her husband's a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.”

Boaz, whose name means "Standing in Strength", was one who stood out. He came from the tribe of Judah. From him came David, Israel's greatest king prior to our KING of KINGS Jesus Christ. In 1 Kings 7:21, it tells us that David's son, Solomon, was so enlightened by his great-great grandfather Boaz, that he even named one of the two main pillars of the Temple after him, Standing in Strength. Spiritual representation is found in Boaz’s life, a strong pillar.

Boaz was quite impressive in that time of the days of the Judges. Judges 21:25 tells us "every man did right in his own eyes". The country was full of corruption and bankrupt as a result of this vain life-style. Boaz stood as a man of integrity during those days of famine and stayed true to our Lord. Remember in Chapter one how we mentioned, it isn't the famine that we should be so concerned about, but what we do during the famine.

The spiritual significance of Boaz is he is a picture of our Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Ruth 2:2 states "And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, let me now go to the field and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.”

In Deuteronomy chapter 24, the Father provided a law stating that the poor person could go to the fields during harvest time and pick up what was left behind or dropped on the ground by the reapers. It surely was better than starving. Ruth was willing to do whatever she could to provide for her and Naomi, her mother in law.

Ruth 2:3 reads "And she went and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on part of the field belonging unto Boaz who was of the kindred of Elimelech".

Ruth had no idea who Boaz was, except that he was a strong and prosperous landowner. She didn't know he was a kinsman of Elimelech, her deceased father 'n' law. THE LORD’s HAND WAS HEAVY ON THIS SITUATION. HE DIRECTED HER STEPS. HE IS WATCHING OUT FOR US ALL AND DIRECTING OUR STEPS. Ruth was faithful to go from a pagan country, a Moabitess, a gentile woman, to Bethlehem, the House of Bread, where the Bread of Life would be born centuries later.

We see how much the Lord has chosen to walk among men. Genesis 3:8 tells us how "in the Garden of Eden, He walked with man in the cool of the day.” Deuteronomy 23:14 tells us that God walked among man in the nation of Israel.

BEST OF ALL IN THE NEW TESTAMENT JESUS IS BORN, EMMANUEL MEANING "GOD WITH US." GOD CAME AND WALKED AMONG MAN IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST.

Ruth had no idea where she was going. She just walked to a field, found a spot and just happened to glean in a field that belonged to Boaz. Coincidence? Rather, it was the Providence and Grace of God. So Ruth who had become a widow, desiring to never leave her mother in law, Naomi, finds herself in Ancient Israel, poor and desperate. She was trying to survive.

Now amazing things begin to happen.

Ruth 2:4 states “AND BEHOLD BOAZ CAME FROM BETHLEHEM, AND SAID UNTO THE REAPERS, THE LORD BE WITH YOU. AND THEY ANSWERED HIM, THE LORD BLESS THEE" (what a great boss!!!) Ruth 2:5 continues, " Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?”

He see Ruth's beauty and it may well have been "love at first sight". The response to Boaz's question is found in Ruth 2:6-7: "And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab: and she said, "I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves; so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house".

Boaz immediately goes to Ruth. He is struck in his heart over her kindness and devotion for Naomi. And the fact that she is a gentile woman gleaning in the fields of Israel. She moved forward towards the God of Israel as she promised her mother in law in Ruth chapter 1: 16. Boaz goes to her and tells her to NOT glean in another field, but to "abide fast to the maidens". This is such a spiritual significance. He tells her to stay in the "field of redemption". JESUS redeems us through HIS innocently shed blood. - saved by the Blood of the Lamb.

Boaz then charges all the young men to leave her alone; that they had better not touch her in any way. Her beauty was surpassing. Ruth 2:9 tells us that she didn't even have to draw her own water. He provided for her, by instructing the men to get it for her. Jesus Christ tells us to drink freely from the wells of salvation. (see Isaiah 12:3).

Ruth 2:10 tells us that Ruth falls on her face and bows down to Boaz and asks why he finds grace and favor with a complete stranger. He answers her immediately. Ruth 2: 11-12 tells us "And Boaz answered and said unto her, it hath fully been shewed me , all that thou has done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou has left they father and they mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thous knewest not heretofore. The Lord recompense thy work, and full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."

He heard about her and it touched HIS heart. JESUS CHRIST KNOWS ABOUT US. CALL OUT TO HIM AND HE WILL HEAR AND ANSWER YOU WITH GRACE AND FAVOR.

God is a "searcher of hearts". Read Romans 8.
As this story continues to unfold we find that Ruth continues to glean and handfuls are dropped, per orders of Boaz. The reapers were to drop handfuls of grain on purpose, so she could carry much home for her and Naomi to eat. Oh, this is so significant of our God of Provision. Right in the difficult times of our lives. We walk forward in obedience to HIM and HE drops us handfuls to encourage us to trust HIM even more. He will never leave or forsake us.

Now, Naomi was probably home praying that Ruth was having an easy day and didn't have to work so hard for them. Wondering if she was safe, etc. So when Ruth comes home with so much food for them, Naomi is elated. Ruth tells her how she met the owner. She tells him that it is a man named Boaz. Naomi immediately realizes who Boaz is. One of the wealthiest relatives of Elimelech. Single and as you study the important cultural aspects of Ancient Israel in Chapter one study, you will see that Boaz could be her kinsman reedeemer. Is it a miracle, or just an ordinary day out in the fields of life? Praise be to the Lord that HE meets us where we are.

In Ruth chapter 2: 13 and 14 tells us that Boaz even goes as far as inviting her to eat with them at mealtime. It reads: "Then she said, let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou has comforted me, and for that thou has spoken friendly unto thine handmaid though I be NOT like unto one of thine handmaidens. (she was a gentile, not a Jewish woman).And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread , and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat eside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.”

This reminds us of the Wedding Feast. Boaz invites his future bride to come and eat bread and vinegar (or wine). Communion with HIM is the spiritual significance here. The Bread and the Wine. Wow!!!

As Chapter two continues to unfold, Ruth obeys and stays fast by the maidens in the fields. She was to stay and glean to the end of the barley harvest and wheat harvest and she continues to dwell with her mother in law, Naomi. She listened carefully to the counsel of her elders. Think how this connects here with some of the other Scriptures involving elders’ instructions with a younger person...Moses with Joshua; Eli with Samuel; Elijah with Elisha. There is so much to glean from this Word of God in this little Book of Ruth. The romance begins. It is love at first sight. Boaz remains respectful, as he doesn't think someone that young would be interested in him.

The next study in Chapter 3 tells us the next stage of this wondrous journey.