Chapter 2
Vv. 1-7 Ruth and Naomi have arrived in Naomi’s hometown and now they need some way to provide for themselves. Ruth steps to the plate and decides that she will provide by gleaning the field for grain. This is a dangerous and unrewarding job. First, it cuts your hands and arms. Basically, a gleaner would follow those men cutting the stalks of grain. The men would then collect those stalks and bundle them. Obviously, some grain would fall between the cut stalks and allow for someone, typically the poor, to follow and collect the fallen grain. This would be hard on your back and especially on your arms reaching through fresh cut stalks. But it was also dangerous because of the immorality sweeping the land. It would not be uncommon a women be assaulted working alone in a field. But it just so happens that this field belongs to Boaz, a Godly man.
How do you see the providence of God at work in this first section?
Vv. 8-16 Boaz proves himself to be a kind and Godly man by accepting Ruth into his field and also charging that she be protected. Boaz shows a genuine kindness to Ruth, honoring her for the kindness that she had first extended to her mother-in-law. Boaz even goes as far as feeding her until she is full. He also commands his men to not only allow her to glean, but take some of the wheat from their own bundles that she may collect more and more easily.
How do you see kindness playing a role in the story?
What other attributes of Ruth allow her to find safety and success in this story?
Vv. 17-23 After a full day of work, and meeting Boaz, Ruth returns home with 5 and a half gallons of grain! Not only that but she also returned to Naomi with some of the food from lunch. Naomi blesses Boaz and the Lord for the kindness that has been showed to Ruth and to herself. Naomi reveals to Ruth that finding Boaz was of the Lord, as Boaz is both a relative and a redeemer. This means he could possibly be a suitor for Ruth.
In verse 20, Naomi exclaims, “whose kindness has not forsaken...” Whose kindness is she speaking of?
This chapter has many shifts in perspective (if you didn’t notice it happens in v. 1, 2, 4, 8, 17). What is the reason behind all this shifting perspective?
Pastor’s Answers
The providence of God is clearly seen in that Ruth unknowingly stumbles into Boaz’s field. This is the perfect situation for her to be in. Not only will she be able to glean the field in relative safety because this is a man of God and he will protect her, but also this is one of the few people that could actually redeem her! Even when she does not have a set plan, God is working one out for her good.
Kindness is shown all throughout the story of Ruth, and we get to see it highlighted here. Boaz shows a great kindness to Ruth by allowing her to glean in safety. He also feeds her and sends her home with additional grain that she might have an abundance. This is said to be a response to the kindness first show by Ruth to Naomi.
Another honorable attribute of Ruth aside from her great kindness is her humility. You see that she humbles herself to her mother-in-law; not only following her to a foreign land but also willing herself to do one of the worst jobs imaginable. Ruth also humbles herself before Boaz, not being shy but openly honoring him by bowing before him.
The person behind the kindness spoken of is ambiguous; it could be from the Lord or Boaz. But it is left ambiguous that the reader might know that she was blessing the kindness of both. Boaz shows kindness by allowing Ruth to work in the field, and God shows kindness by working providentially on Ruth’s behalf. To take it a step further, this really is just a blessing to the Lord. Boaz’s kindness is not of his own, but rather his kindness is steeped in the divine. It is God working through him that he shows favor to Ruth.
The reason that perspective changes so often in this chapter is not just that a good story might be created. The change in perspective allows the reader to know only what the characters themselves know. This limits the amount that might be known at one time. Why is it important that the perspective remain limited? Because by allowing the characters to only know so much, they will be unable to control the outcome of their own story. Rather, they act naturally according to their limited foresight, while we are privy to a big a beautiful story that is playing out all around them. We are able to see the hand of God at work, even when they can’t. We are like these limited characters, unable to see or control the future. Yet God is working out a divine plan all around us. Are we will to step into the divine as Ruth and, uncertain of the future, choose to act in supernatural kindness and humility?