# Overview Ruth Chapter 2 unfolds the divine providence and favor experienced by #Ruth as she begins to glean in the fields of #Boaz, a man of great wealth and a relative of #Naomi's late husband, #Elimelech. As Ruth sets out to find grace and sustenance, the text highlights her virtue and diligence in caring for Naomi, her mother-in-law. Ruth's arrival in Boaz's field is no mere coincidence but a demonstration of God’s guiding hand, as she seeks to provide for herself and Naomi. This chapter emphasizes the law of gleaning found in Leviticus 19:9-10 and Deuteronomy 24:19, which instructed Israelites to leave the edges of their fields for the poor and strangers, illustrating God's provision and care for the marginalized. Boaz’s character is revealed through his kindness and generosity towards Ruth, recognizing her loyalty to Naomi and her commitment to the God of Israel. He ensures her safety, instructing his young men not to harm her and inviting her to drink from the water jars provided for his workers. Boaz's actions are a reflection of God's hesed, or loving-kindness, as he goes beyond what the law requires. Ruth’s response is one of humility and gratitude, acknowledging Boaz's favor despite her status as a foreigner. This encounter between Boaz and Ruth foreshadows the unfolding of a redemptive plan, aligning with the broader biblical theme of God using unexpected individuals and situations to fulfill His purposes. ## Theological Insights Ruth Chapter 2 presents profound theological insights into God's providence, kindness, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. 1. **God's Providence**: The chapter demonstrates God's providence in the life of #Ruth, a Moabite widow, who finds herself gleaning in the fields of #Boaz, a relative of her deceased father-in-law, #Elimelech. This "chance" encounter is a manifestation of God's guiding hand, directing Ruth to a place of provision and protection. The sovereignty of God is evident as He orchestrates events to fulfill His purposes, reminiscent of His guidance in the lives of the patriarchs like [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 24|Isaac]] and [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 37|Joseph]]. 2. **The Kinsman-Redeemer**: The introduction of #Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer is a pivotal moment that foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Redeemer. The concept of a kinsman-redeemer, rooted in the #Levitical law ([[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 25]]), points to God’s provision for restoring and preserving families and inheritances in #Israel. Boaz's willingness to protect and provide for Ruth prefigures the sacrificial love and redemption offered by Christ to humanity. 3. **Kindness and Loyalty**: The chapter highlights the theme of kindness and loyalty. Boaz’s kindness to Ruth, a foreigner, reflects God’s inclusive love and grace extended to all nations. His actions mirror the hesed (loving-kindness) of God, which Ruth herself embodies through her loyalty to #Naomi. This mutual display of kindness underscores the biblical principle of loving one's neighbor and the transformative power of grace. 4. **God’s Favor and Grace**: Ruth’s experience in Boaz’s field is a testament to God’s favor and grace. Despite her status as a foreigner and widow, she receives protection, abundance, and respect, echoing the assurances of God’s care for the marginalized and oppressed found throughout the scriptures, such as in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 10|Deuteronomy 10:18]]. 5. **Hope and Redemption**: The chapter ends with a renewed sense of hope for Naomi and Ruth, as the harvest season symbolizes a time of gathering and blessing. This hope points to the greater redemption narrative that culminates in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, as detailed in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 1]], affirming God’s faithfulness to His promises and His ability to bring beauty from ashes. Ruth 2, therefore, encapsulates themes of divine providence, redemption, and grace, laying the groundwork for understanding the broader narrative of salvation through Christ. ## Thematic Connections ### Divine Providence and Kindness In #Ruth Chapter 2, the theme of divine providence is evident as #Ruth "happens" to glean in the field of #Boaz, a relative of #Naomi's late husband, #Elimelech. This connection to divine orchestration is reminiscent of the unseen hand of God guiding the events in the lives of biblical figures, such as the providence seen in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 24|Isaac and Rebekah’s meeting]] or [[Esther/Esther Chapter 4|Esther’s rise to queen]]. The kindness shown by Boaz towards Ruth highlights the biblical value of #hesed, or loving-kindness, a central theme in God's relationship with His people, as seen in His covenantal faithfulness in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 34|Exodus 34:6-7]]. ### Redemption and Protection Boaz's role as a potential kinsman-redeemer for Ruth and Naomi introduces the theme of redemption, which is central to biblical narrative. This prefigures the ultimate redemption found in [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], the Redeemer of humanity. The protection Boaz offers Ruth echoes the protective nature of God as seen in passages like [[Psalm/Psalm 91|Psalm 91]], where God is depicted as a refuge and fortress. ### Inclusion of the Outsider Ruth, a #Moabite, finds favor and inclusion within the community of #Bethlehem through Boaz's acceptance and generosity. This theme of inclusion is a precursor to the New Testament message in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 10|Acts 10]], where the Gentiles are welcomed into the faith community. It underscores the biblical principle that God's love and grace extend beyond ethnic and cultural boundaries, seen also in the lineage of Jesus, which includes Ruth as noted in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 1|Matthew 1]]. ### Loyalty and Faithfulness Ruth's commitment to Naomi and her diligence in gleaning reflects themes of loyalty and faithfulness, which are highly valued in Scripture. This is comparable to the faithfulness of Jonathan to #David in [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 20|1 Samuel 20]] and the unwavering dedication of #Paul to his mission in [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 1|Philippians 1:21-26]]. Such steadfastness in relationships reflects the covenantal faithfulness that God desires from His people. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 2 introduces the concept of the #KinsmanRedeemer through the character of #Boaz. This role is crucial in Israelite society and foreshadows the ultimate redemption found in [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]. The kinsman-redeemer was responsible for protecting the interests of needy family members, particularly widows, as seen through Boaz’s actions toward #Ruth and #Naomi. This concept prophetically points to Jesus as our Redeemer, as highlighted in passages like [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 59|Isaiah 59:20]] and [[Galatians/Galatians Chapter 4|Galatians 4:4-5]], where Jesus redeems humanity from sin and restores us to God’s family. ### The Blessing of Abraham Ruth’s inclusion in the lineage of #David, and ultimately [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], ties back to the promises given to #Abraham in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 12|Genesis 12:3]], where God promises that through Abraham’s offspring, all nations would be blessed. Ruth, a #Moabite, exemplifies the fulfillment of this promise as a Gentile being grafted into the family of Israel, foreshadowing the inclusion of the Gentiles into God’s covenant through Jesus, as further elaborated in [[Romans/Romans Chapter 11|Romans 11:17-24]]. ### God’s Providence and Sovereignty Throughout Ruth 2, the theme of God’s providence and sovereignty is evident as Ruth finds favor in Boaz’s field, which is not merely coincidental but part of God’s divine plan. This reflects the overarching biblical theme of God’s sovereignty and His plan for redemption, seen in prophecies like [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 29|Jeremiah 29:11]], where God declares plans for welfare and a future hope. The events in Ruth demonstrate God’s control over history, leading to the birth of #David and ultimately Jesus, fulfilling God’s redemptive purposes. ### The Gathering of the Gentiles Boaz’s kindness to Ruth, a foreigner, prefigures the gathering of the Gentiles into the people of God, a theme seen in prophets like [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 56|Isaiah 56:6-8]], where God’s salvation extends to all nations. Ruth’s acceptance and integration into the community of Israel anticipate the New Testament fulfillment in Christ, where the gospel is preached to all nations as commanded in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 28|Matthew 28:19-20]], highlighting the inclusivity of God’s redemptive plan. ## Verses - **Ruth 2:1** - "Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named #Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, #Elimelech." - Cross-reference: [[Ruth/Ruth Chapter 4]], [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 1]] - **Ruth 2:2** - "One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, 'Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.' Naomi replied, 'All right, my daughter, go ahead.'" - Cross-reference: [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 19]], [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 24]] - **Ruth 2:3** - "So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech." - Cross-reference: [[Ruth/Ruth Chapter 1]] - **Ruth 2:4** - "While she was there, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters. 'The Lord be with you!' he said. 'The Lord bless you!' the harvesters replied." - Cross-reference: [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 129]] - **Ruth 2:5** - "Then Boaz asked his foreman, 'Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?'" - **Ruth 2:6** - "And the foreman replied, 'She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi.'" - **Ruth 2:7** - "She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter." - **Ruth 2:8** - "Boaz went over and said to Ruth, 'Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field.'" - **Ruth 2:9** - "See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.'" - **Ruth 2:10** - "Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. 'What have I done to deserve such kindness?' she asked. 'I am only a foreigner.'" - Cross-reference: [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 22]], [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 19]] - **Ruth 2:11** - "Yes, I know,' Boaz replied. 'But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers." - Cross-reference: [[Ruth/Ruth Chapter 1]] - **Ruth 2:12** - "May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.'" - Cross-reference: [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 91]], [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 23]] - **Ruth 2:13** - "'I hope I continue to please you, sir,' she replied. 'You have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me, even though I am not one of your workers.'" - **Ruth 2:14** - "At mealtime Boaz called to her, 'Come over here, and help yourself to some food. You can dip your bread in the sour wine.' So she sat with his harvesters, and Boaz gave her some roasted grain to eat. She ate all she wanted and still had some left over." - **Ruth 2:15** - "When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, 'Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her.'" - **Ruth 2:16** - "And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don’t give her a hard time!'" - **Ruth 2:17** - "So Ruth gathered barley there all day, and when she beat out the grain that evening, it filled an entire basket." - **Ruth 2:18** - "She carried it back into town and showed it to her mother-in-law. Ruth also gave her the roasted grain that was left over from her meal." - **Ruth 2:19** - "'Where did you gather all this grain today?' Naomi asked. 'Where did you work? May the Lord bless the one who helped you!' So Ruth told her mother-in-law about the man in whose field she had worked. She said, 'The man I worked with today is named Boaz.'" - **Ruth 2:20** - "'May the Lord bless him!' Naomi told her daughter-in-law. 'He is showing his kindness to us as well as to your dead husband. That man is one of our closest relatives, one of our family redeemers.'" - Cross-reference: [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 25]], [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 25]] - **Ruth 2:21** - "Then Ruth said, 'What’s more, Boaz even told me to come back and stay with his harvesters until the entire harvest is completed.'" - **Ruth 2:22** - "'Good!' Naomi exclaimed. 'Do as he said, my daughter. Stay with his young women right through the whole harvest. You might be harassed in other fields, but you’ll be safe with him.'" - **Ruth 2:23** - "So Ruth worked alongside the women in Boaz’s fields and gathered grain with them until the end of the barley harvest. Then she continued working with them through the wheat harvest in early summer. And all the while she lived with her mother-in-law."