Handfuls on Purpose

Introduction

The Field she Chooses

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

The move from Moab to Israel was complete. The time to start life over in this land had come. Ruth makes a simple decision to go to work.

“Let me now go to the field…”

She wasn’t looking for romance. She wasn’t chasing opportunity. She was simply trying to provide.

Yet the Bible says:

“Her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz…”

Ruth was putting one foot in front of the other just to survive, but what she did not yet know was that God was already at work for her.

The Compassion he Shows

Ruth 2:8–9 “Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.”

As Boaz came to his field and began conversing with the supervisor of the harvest he noticed Ruth and he already wanted to know more about her.

When Boaz speaks with her there is compassion in his words:

Protection — “Go not to glean in another field…”

Provision — “When thou art athirst… drink…”

Safety — “I have charged the young men…”

Boaz sees her. Boaz protects her. Boaz provides for her.

He does not treat her as a Moabite. He treats her as family.

The Blessing he Offers

Ruth 2:11–12 “And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”

Ruth asked Boaz why she had found grace in his eyes and Boaz answers her with what he has heard about her.

Boaz acknowledges her faithfulness.

“The Lord recompense thy work…”

He recognizes the sacrifice that she made to come with Naomi. He understands the loyalty that she had for Naomi to make the journey and live life in a new place. He touched on her faith in God in a beautiful phrase.

“Under whose wings thou art come to trust.”

She left Moab. She left idols. She left the familiar.

AND SHE EMBRACES A NEW LIFE IN JEHOVAH

And Boaz declares: God sees it. God rewards it. God shelters it.

The Invitation he extends

Ruth 2:14 “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 beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.”

“Come… eat… dip… sit beside the reapers…”

Boaz goes beyond the requirements of the law to allow her to glean the left overs or on the corners of the field. Boaz offers her a seat at the table. He knew she was a foreigner, a widow, and a poor gleaner, but he invites her to the table, includes her as an equal, and satisfies her needs in the moment.

Grace doesn’t just allow you in the field. Grace invites you to the table.

The Instruction he Gives

Ruth 2:15–16 “And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.”

Boaz commands his servants:

Let her glean among the sheaves.

Reproach her not.

Drop handfuls on purpose.

This is intentional generosity.

Not leftovers. Not scraps. Handfuls on purpose.

God’s grace is not accidental. It is deliberate.

God Orchestrates Circumstances to Fulfill His Will

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

From Ruth’s perspective — chance. From Heaven’s perspective — choreography.

Ruth thought she chose a field. God chose her future.

God Extends Grace to Those that Trust in Him

Ruth 2:12 “The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”

God Leads People to the Places that are Best for Them

Ruth 2:20 “And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.”

Naomi says:

“The man is near of kin unto us…”

Ruth thought she found a field. She found a redeemer.

When you follow God faithfully, He will place you exactly where His will can prosper you most.