The Field (Ruth 2:1-13)

The first chapter of Ruth dealt primarily with three women, but now the narrative widens to include the whole community.

Considering the type of men that existed in the days of the Judges, Boaz seemed to be an exceptionally noble man.

Comparing Boaz with the wicked tribe of Benjamin,

English Standard Version Chapter 19

22 As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, worthless fellows, surrounded the house, beating on the door. And they said to the old man, the master of the house, “Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him.” 23 And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, do not do this vile thing. 24 Behold, here are my virgin daughter and his concubine. Let me bring them out now. Violate them and do with them what seems good to you, but against this man do not do this outrageous thing.” 25 But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine and made her go out to them. And they knew her and abused her all night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go. 26 And as morning appeared, the woman came and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her master was, until it was light.

The words of the Psalmist could be said of Boaz,

English Standard Version Psalm 112

Praise the LORD!

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,

who greatly delights in his commandments!

2  His offspring will be mighty in the land;

the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Boaz is more than just a model of justice; he is also a picture of Christ.

As we look at Boaz, we also want to look through Boaz, so that we may see our Savior.

Boaz’s grace points to Jesus’ grace- the grace that bought our salvation and the grace that strengthens and empowers us to love this broken world.

Jesus, in his kindness, has sought the outcast, has given us refuge, has fed us at his table, and has become our Redeemer.

Now, in Christ, we have a new status and are empowered to live a righteous life to God’s glory.

5 Conversations in Ruth 2:

Ruth & Naomi (2:2-3)

Boaz & Reapers (2:4-7)

Boaz & Ruth (2:8-15)

Boaz & Reapers (2:15b-16)

Ruth & Naomi (2:19-22)

Three themes: faith, favor, and hope

I. Boaz: A Worthy man (2:1)

Boaz is a legal relative of Elimelech.

Boaz= maybe “strength” or “strong spirit”

In 2 Chronicles 3:17 Hiram uses the name to describe the strong pillars of the temple,

English Standard Version Chapter 3

15 In front of the house he made two pillars thirty-five cubits high, with a capital of five cubits on the top of each. 16 He made chains like a necklace and put them on the tops of the pillars, and he made a hundred pomegranates and put them on the chains. 17 He set up the pillars in front of the temple, one on the south, the other on the north; that on the south he called Jachin, and that on the north Boaz.

Jachin= “He will establish”

Boaz= “In him is strength”

Psalm 21:1; 13

English Standard Version Psalm 21

O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices,

and in your salvation how greatly he exults!

English Standard Version Psalm 21

Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength!

We will sing and praise your power.

When the people saw the pillars of the temple, they probably thought about Psalm 21, and it symbolized the promise of God and the power of God exalted.

In the same way, the story of Ruth shows God’s power and strength working through Boaz to make his promises come to pass.

Not only is Boaz a relative, but he is a worthy man (2:1).

II. Ruth’s Faith (2:2-2:3)

We are reminded that Ruth is a Moabite and therefore an outsider.

She is also a widow in the patriarchal society of Israel.

Ruth’s faith leads her to act.

Deuteronomy 24:19-22

Leviticus 19:9-10

English Standard Version Chapter 24

19 “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. 21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. 22 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.

English Standard Version Chapter 19

9 “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God.

Unlike the native Naomi, the foreigner Ruth trusts in the goodness of God’s favor.

Proverbs 3:34

James 4:6

English Standard Version Chapter 3

34  Toward the scorners he is scornful,

but to the humble he gives favor.

English Standard Version Chapter 4

6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

God is attracted to humility.

“The same hand that sent the famine (1:1) and later provided food (1:22) and has now guided ruth to Bethlehem precisely at the beginning of the harvest (1:22) and has now guided Ruth to that portion of the field belonging specifically to Boaz.” Block, Judges, Ruth pg. 653-654

In Ruth, we find a faith that acts (2:2a), is aware of a desperate need of God’s grace (2:2b), and is laced with humility.

III. Boaz’s Faith (2:4)

We get a glimpse of Boaz personal faith by how he greets his workers: in the name of Yahweh (2:4).

Boaz recites the great covenant promise of God.

Joshua 1:5-6

English Standard Version Chapter 1

5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.

For Boaz, his religion is marked by consistent meditation on God.

Like Boaz, we should do our work with the Lord’s glory and grace on our minds.

IV. Ruth: A Worthy Woman (2:5-7)

From the foreman, we learn about another characteristic of Ruth’s faith and humility: hard work.

Faith in God does not mean being lazy and waiting around for him to act.

V. Boaz Favors Ruth (2:8-2:13)

By taking care of Ruth, Boaz is obeying God’s word in a day when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25).

Normally foreigners would draw water for Israelites, and women would draw for men (Genesis 24:10-20), but Boaz gives Ruth the freedom to drink from water already drawn by the Israelites.

In protecting Ruth from harassment from the men, Boaz is instituting the first anti-sexual-harassment policy in the workplace.

Ruth has stepped out in faith, and her faith has been rewarded.

When humility and grace meet, worship begins.

We have recieved God’s grace in an eve greater way than Ruth.

Ephesians 2:1-10

English Standard Version Chapter 2

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

What is Boaz’s motivation in helping Ruth? He sees that Ruth should be rewarded for putting her faith in God and making Yahweh her refuge.

Boaz knows the character of God and seeks to serve him by pursuing a life of mercy and justice.

Micah 6:8 ESV

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Boaz exemplifies Micah 6:8 in five ways:

Boaz provides for Ruth.

Boaz protects Ruth.

Boaz uses his words to bless Ruth.

Boaz shows kindness and grace not only to Ruth but also his workers.

5. Boaz walks humbly with the Lord.

Boaz is an example of how men should show mercy and justice.

By the power of the greater Boaz, Jesus, we all can live this kind of life.

Group Questions

1. Reflect on how God provides for the vulnerable (pages 64–65). What would be the equivalent of leaving grain in the fields today?

2. What do you most admire about Ruth in this passage? How could you imitate her?

3. What do you most admire about Boaz? How could you imitate him?

4. Why does the image of taking refuge under the wings of the Lord express what Ruth experienced? How could you describe your own faith journey in a way that emphasizes God’s grace?

5. Which of the ways in which Boaz showed mercy and justice is the greatest challenge to you? How could you live out Micah 6:8?

6. How could Ruth 2:1-19 inform your prayers this week?