1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name [was] Boaz.
2 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.
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.
4 And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD [be] with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.
5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel [is] this?
6 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:
7 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.
8 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:
9 [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.
10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I [am] a stranger?
11 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.
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.
13 Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.
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.
15 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:
16 And let fall also [some] of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave [them], that she may glean [them], and rebuke her not.
17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.
18 And she took [it] up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.
19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought to day [is] Boaz.
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.
21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.
22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, [It is] good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.
23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.
Summary of Ruth Chapter 2
Ruth Chapter 2 continues the story of Ruth, a Moabite widow, as she seeks to provide for herself and her mother-in-law, Naomi, after the death of their husbands. This chapter highlights themes of loyalty, kindness, and the providence of God through the actions of Ruth and Boaz.
Key Characters
- Ruth: A Moabite woman who remains loyal to Naomi and seeks to provide for them both.
- Naomi: Ruth’s mother-in-law, who has returned to Bethlehem after losing her husband and sons.
- Boaz: A wealthy landowner and relative of Naomi’s late husband, who shows kindness to Ruth.
Setting
The events take place in Bethlehem during the barley harvest, a time of abundance and opportunity for those in need.
Plot Overview
- Ruth’s Initiative: Ruth decides to glean in the fields to gather leftover grain, demonstrating her determination to support Naomi and herself.
- Boaz’s Introduction: Boaz arrives at the field and notices Ruth, inquiring about her identity and situation.
- Boaz’s Kindness: Boaz instructs his workers to allow Ruth to glean freely and offers her protection and provision.
- Ruth’s Gratitude: Ruth expresses her gratitude to Boaz for his kindness, acknowledging his generosity and protection.
- Naomi’s Response: Naomi recognizes Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer and encourages Ruth to continue gleaning in his fields.
Thematic Analysis
- Loyalty and Commitment: Ruth’s dedication to Naomi exemplifies loyalty, as she chooses to stay with her mother-in-law despite the challenges they face.
- God’s Providence: The chapter illustrates how God provides for Ruth and Naomi through Boaz, emphasizing the importance of community support during difficult times.
- Social Justice: The practice of gleaning reflects the biblical principle of caring for the poor and marginalized, as landowners were instructed to leave some of their harvest for those in need.
- Kindness and Generosity: Boaz’s actions towards Ruth demonstrate the value of kindness and generosity, serving as a model for how individuals should treat one another.
Character Development
In this chapter, Ruth emerges as a strong and resourceful character, willing to work hard to provide for her family. Boaz is portrayed as a compassionate and honorable man, whose actions reflect the values of his faith. Naomi’s character shows a transition from bitterness to hope as she recognizes the potential for redemption through Boaz.
Conclusion
Ruth Chapter 2 is a pivotal chapter that sets the stage for the unfolding relationship between Ruth and Boaz. It highlights the importance of loyalty, the impact of kindness, and the ways in which God orchestrates events for the good of those who trust in Him. The chapter invites readers to reflect on their own actions and the ways they can support and uplift those in their communities.
