Ruth 2 – A Love Story, Serving Naomi

Ruth 2 – A Love Story, Serving Naomi                May 12, 2018 

This event actually happened and occurred in the time of the first half of Judges, around 11 century B.C.  We see Ruth faithfulness are clear implications of our Lord’s redeeming work.  Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, point to Jesus, Ruth portrays enters new life through Jesus. 

Outline of Book 

Chapter 1: Love’s Resolve, Ruth staying close to Naomi

Chapter 2: Love’s Response, Serving Naomi

Chapter 3: Love’s Request, Resting

Chapter 4: Love’s Rewarded - Redemption of both Land and Bride 

Ruth Chapter 1 review 

A Jewish man moved his wife and 2 sons to the country of Moab from the famine in Judah. 

The father and 2 sons died, leaving his wife, Naomi and 2 daughter-in-law’s left.  Naomi and Ruth moved back to Judah at the beginning of the barley harvest.  

Ruth told Naomi;  Your people will be my people, and your God, my God. 

This is where we left it. 

Ruth serving, Meets Boaz, who is impressed with her care of Naomi 

Ruth 2:1 Naomi had a close relative of her late husband, a man of considerable wealth from the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. 

A relative just means kinsman.  This introduces an important word in the book of Ruth - the ancient Hebrew word Goel. To say that Boaz was a Goel (a kinsman, a close relative) was more than saying he was a relative; it was saying that he was a special family representative. He was a chieftain in the family, had great wealth and a man of standing. 

Boaz name means In him there is strength.  As a side, Boaz name is also chosen by Solomon for one of the two pillars of the Temple.  Did the family make a wrong choice, because those in Bethlehem did not die from hunger. 

The blood-relationship was with Elimelech (not with Naomi): potentially he could be the kinsman-redeemer; 

We, too, have a Kinsman; one who was made like we are, yet sin-less—“holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners”.  Jesus is the one who is able to save us. 

*Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 

Ruth 2:2 Ruth the Moabite told Naomi, "Please allow me to go out to the fields and glean grain behind anyone who shows me kindness." So Naomi replied, "Go ahead, my daughter."    A1 

What do we mean, glean grain, This was the welfare system of those days: If you were a land owner, you were allowed to make only one pass through your field. You could not go back a second time. 

The concept was that what the reapers missed, or what spilled, was left for the widows and the poor. This was a way for the poor to provide for their own needs with dignity. 

*Leviticus 19:9-10 'When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. (10) And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the LORD your God. 

*Leviticus 23:22 Furthermore, when you harvest the produce of your land, you are not to harvest all the way to the corners of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and resident alien. I am the LORD your God. 

Ruth 2:3 So she went out {own initiative}, proceeded to the field, and gleaned behind the harvesters. And it happened that she came to the portion of land belonging to Boaz, of the family of Elimelech.  {social assistance programs in Israel} {God invisible hand at work} 

Ruth 2:4 Now when Boaz arrived from Bethlehem, he told the harvesters, "The LORD be with you." "May the LORD bless you!" they replied. 

This shows us something of the heart and character of Boaz on how he relates to his workers.  Apparently, his workers loved him and had a good relationship with him.  The poor able to provide own needs with dignity. 

Ruth 2:5 At this point, Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, "To whom does this young woman belong?"  (who is the new worker) 

Ruth 2:6 The foreman of the harvesters answered, "She is the Moabite who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. 

The foreman was responsible to supervise the workers, supply provisions for the reapers, and pay them at the end of the day. 

Ruth 2:7 She asked us, 'Please allow me to glean what's left of the grain behind the harvesters.' So she came out and has continued working from dawn until now, except for a short time in a shelter." 

This shows the submissive attitude of Ruth and how she kindly and properly asked for the right to gather in his field.  The fact that she did work and how she did it was important, because it made a good impression on Boaz.  Are we also not being watched by others on how we live? 

Ruth 2:8 Boaz then addressed Ruth: "Listen, my daughter! Don't glean in any other field. Don't even leave this one, and be sure to stay close to my women servants.    A2  {stone markers separated farm land} 

Boaz invitation to Ruth was extended to continue gleaning in his fields permanently. She was free to continue throughout the barley harvest, which includes March and April. She was also free to continue throughout the wheat harvest, which included May and June. 

Since land was appointed by tribe and clan and family, what would have looked like a single field may have had many different tracts that belonged to various clan or family members. Stone markers would have identified the boundaries, and it would be very easy to pass from one family holding to another in what looked like one field.  

The women servants are the ones who tied together the cut stalks of grain. 

Ruth 2:9 Keep your eyes on the field where they are harvesting, and follow them. I have ordered my young men not to bother you, have I not? And when you are thirsty, drink from the water vessels that the young men have filled." 

God was blessing Naomi through Ruth already and all because God guided her to Boaz’s field.  Ruth would find companionship among the young women and find protection and refreshment. 

What was Ruth told: 

1)     She was to stay in this field.

2)     She was free to follow immediately after the servant girls where the pickings would be the most numerous.

3)     His intervention and provision on her behalf. 

Ruth 2:10 At this she fell prostrate, bowing low to the ground, and asked him, "Why is it that you're showing me kindness by noticing me, since I'm a foreigner?"  {she probably was ragged looking after a day of hard work} 

Remember, true kindness is shown when we extend ourselves to others who, as far as we can see, have nothing to give us.  Ruth thanks Boaz for his kindness. Remember, she was a Moabites, not an Israelite. A Difference 

Ruth 2:11 Boaz answered her, "It has been clearly disclosed to me all that you have done for your mother-in-law following the death of your husband--how you abandoned your father, your mother, and your own land, and came to a people you did not previously know. 

In a small town life, everybody knows everybody else’s business.  It was seen and notice how Ruth’s devotion to Naomi mattered. 

Ruth 2:12 May the LORD repay you for your work, and may a full reward be given you from the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge." 

{Picture of care, trust, security, and protection in the land} 

*Psalms 36:7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. 

*Psalms 91:4 With his feathers he will cover you, under his wings you will find safety. His truth is your shield and armor. 

Feathers can mean feathers or wing, it is used 4 times in the Scriptures, 2 Scriptures translated each way.  

Ruth 2:13 She responded, "May I continue to find favor in your sight, sir, since you've been comforting me and you have spoken graciously to your servant, even though I am not one of your servants." 

Ruth very polite way of saying thank you to Boaz. 

Ruth 2:14 At lunchtime, Boaz invited her, "Come on over, have some food, and dip your bread in our oil and vinegar." So she sat down beside the harvesters, and he handed her some roasted grain, which she ate until she was satisfied. She kept what was left over. 

Boaz personally served her with his own hands.  Ruth wanted to take some home for Naomi.  Most likely grain cake, cooked in oil.  Dip in some type of wine/vinegar.  First sign of romance, share meal, even privileged dipping. 

Ruth 2:15 After she had left to glean, Boaz commanded his servants, "Allow her to glean also among the cut sheaves, and don't taunt her. 

It was very unusual for a gleaner to be allowed to pick up grain this close to harvesters. They were normally permitted to glean only after the harvesters had completed all their work. 

Ruth 2:16 One other thing--drop some handfuls deliberately, leaving them for her so she can gather it. And don't bother her." 

They were to pull out a handful of stalks. This is the amount of grain that would be grasped with the left hand as the sickler cuts with his right hand.  The fix was in for her. This was more generous than required.  Let her work 

Ruth 2:17 So Ruth gathered grain out in the field until dusk, and then threshed what she had gathered--about a week's supply of barley. 

The hard surface of the threshing floor often served the needs of an entire community.  A stick or a rock would be used to beat the stalks to separate the grain from the chaff.  

A sun-up to sun-down day, Ruth worked hard all day long.  This was about a five-and-one-half gallon tub (22 liters) of barley - a wonderful day’s work to people who had nothing. 

Ruth 2:18 She picked up her grain and went back to town. Her mother-in-law noticed how much Ruth had gleaned and had brought back from what was left over from her lunch. 

Besides all the barley grain, Ruth brought Naomi the food left over from the meal with Boaz. This was obviously a blessing for Naomi. 

Ruth 2:19 So her mother-in-law quizzed her, "Where did you glean today? Where, precisely, did you work? May the one who took notice of you be blessed." So Ruth told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked. She said, "The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz." 

Ruth 2:20 Naomi replied, "May the one who hasn't abandoned his gracious love to the living or to the dead be blessed by the LORD." Naomi added, "This man is closely related to us, our related redeemer, as a matter of fact!" 

Boaz is now connected with the concept of the kinsman-redeemer (Goel) who role was to help recover the tribe’s losses, including people (hunt down the killer), judicial (assisted in lawsuits); property or land (recovered the property of a family member).  Notice, Now Naomi sees more of God’s plan unfolding, so she can see better how all things are working together for good for those who love God. 

Remember, God granted the land to the Israelites by lot and will be as tenants and could not sell it.  They could lease it to pay debts.  The land had to remained within the family.  

*Numbers 34:13 Then Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying: "This is the land which you shall inherit by lot, which the LORD has commanded to give to the nine tribes and to the half-tribe. 

Ruth 2:21 Then Ruth the Moabite woman added, "He also told me 'Stay close to my young men until they have completed my entire harvest.'" 

Ruth 2:22 Naomi responded to her daughter-in-law Ruth, "It is prudent, my daughter, for you to go out with his women servants, so someone won't attack you in another field." 

Ruth 2:23 So Ruth continued to stay close to the young women who worked for Boaz, gathering grain until both the barley and wheat harvests were complete, all the while living with her mother-in-law. 

Two important laws that we need to cover before we close today. 

The barley harvest ended around in May and the wheat harvest, which continued into June. 

Law of Redemption: Redeeming a Poor Man or land 

Leviticus 25:47-55 "If a resident alien or traveler becomes rich, but your relative who lives next to him is so poor that he sells himself to that resident alien or traveler among you or to a member of the resident alien's family, (48) he has the right to be redeemed after he sells himself. One of his brothers may redeem him. (49) His uncle or his uncle's son may redeem him or any blood relative from his clan may redeem him. If he becomes rich, then he may redeem himself. (50) "He is to bring an accounting to the one who bought him, starting from the year he had sold himself until the year of jubilee. The price of his sale is to correspond to the number of years comparable to the time a hired servant stays with him.  

(51) "If there are still many years left, he is to refund the cost of his redemption. (52) But if only a few years are left until the year of jubilee, he is to bring an accounting of the years that he is to refund for his redemption.  

(53) Like a hired servant, he is to remain with him year after year, but he is not to rule over him with what you see as severity.

(54) "If he isn't redeemed by these, then he is to be set free in the year of jubilee--he and his children with him (55) because the Israelis are my servants. They're my servants, since I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God." 

Israel belongs to God. When Joshua entered the land, it was granted to the 12 tribes. That land was to stay in that tribe. You could “sell” your land, which was really more of what we would consider a “lease” (you sold the rights to use the land for awhile).  In the year of Jubilee the land would return to the original owners.  

When you sold (really a lease) your land, the title deed would also include the rules for title redemption on the back of the title deed. The law required a procedure so that if your next of kin would show up there was some procedure where he could purchase back the unused years (called “redeeming the land”).  Jubilee year. 

This whole concept becomes important when you encounter the seven-sealed book, “written within and on the backside and sealed with seven seals” (Rev 5). 

Law of Levirate Marriage: Deut 25:5-10 

*Deuteronomy 25:5-6 "When two brothers are living together and one of them dies without leaving a son, his widow must not be married outside the family to a foreigner. Instead, the brother-in-law must go to her, take her as his wife, and by doing so perform the duty of a brother-in-law. (6) The firstborn whom she will bear will continue the name of the dead brother, so his name will not be erased from Israel.  

This marriage dealt with a situation where you had a widow with no issue (husband passed away with no children).  She could go to the next of kin and put a claim on him to take her to wife to raise up children for the family.

One of the reasons was not to lose the land outside the family unit.  

This is called “the Levirate Marriage.” He had to meet three conditions to make it work, we will find out.   He can take all the land of his brother, if he does it. 

·      First, he had to be a near kinsman.

·      Secondly, he had to be able to perform.

·      Thirdly, he had to be willing; it was not required.

·      If he chose not to, he had to give her his shoe, a symbol of shame; he had failed to do the kinsman’s part. 

Next time, we will take up chapter 3