Bible Study Notes
Acceptance in Community
Ruth 2:5-12
& 3:9-11Part II
Ruth 2:5-12
Amazingly, Ruth fulfills her vow of commitment to Naomi in this strange
land. In today’s passage, we find Ruth
faithfully caring for the needs of her mother-in-law. Ruth sets out, with Naomi’s permission, to
glean the leftover grain in the fields.
You recall the Law instructs harvesters to leave some grain and produce
for the poor who would be hungry and in need.
They were not to gather every single bit. Israel was told to remember the
days when they wandered hungry, thirsty and in need in the wilderness. God gave some of the people whom they
encountered a favorable heart toward Israel. Accordingly, they demonstrate their gratitude
by helping other hungry and thirsty strangers by leaving grain, produce and
water in the wells. Nevertheless, Ruth
sets out to find food and water for Naomi and herself.
Subjecting herself to potential danger, she goes to the field where the
men are working. Providentially, she
finds a field owned by Boaz, a man of standing in the community. Upon his return from Bethlehem and arrival at the field, he
notices Ruth and asks about her identity.
His foreman shares the story of Ruth’s pleadings to gather grain and her
hard work. Boaz then removes Ruth from
the possible danger of her commendable efforts.
He tells her to say with his servant girls and follow along with them
after the harvesters. Moreover, he
instructs the men to stay away from her.
Interestingly, this simple conversation symbolizes the ways in which our
loving Heavenly Father removes the deadly sin that threatens us when we
encounter Him.
Boaz’s generosity, in offering water from the jars that the male
workers have filled, represents living water of the Word of God. New believers who hunger and thirst for
righteousness have the privilege of consulting the Bible at any time. It is the textbook of life. It contains the most enduring and successful
answers to life’s most pressing questions.
In it, parched soul finds living water to persevere. Boaz’s willingness and graciousness in
meeting Ruth’s physical needs in the midst of a longstanding famine resembles
God’s limitless love and unmerited favor.
He meets their spiritual, emotional and psychological needs in the
famine of human existence.
Ruth inquires about any motives belying Boaz’s kindnesses. By bowing down to the ground, Ruth
demonstrates her depth of gratitude and reverence. She marvels at his sincere acceptance of a
stranger. Understandably, she wants to
know whether any strings are attached to Boaz’s superlative generosity. Her question provides Boaz with an opportunity
to share God’s unconditional love. He recalls
he heard about Ruth’s incredible love and kindnesses to Naomi, a relative of
Boaz’s through marriage. Boaz learns Ruth’s
love and dedication toward Naomi as Ruth leaves her parents, family and native
land to travel with her mother-in-law as a widow to a strange land. He greatly blesses her with this prayer. “May the Lord repay you for what you have
done. May you be richly rewarded by the
Lord, the God of Israel,
under whose wings you have come to take
refuge.” Boaz’s prayer and words reveal Ruth,
a Moabite woman who now dwells in Israel, has actually found favor in the eyes
of the Lord. Faithful to the covenant
with Abraham in Genesis 12, God blesses Ruth because she is a blessing to God’s
people.
Most probably unaware of the Abrahamic covenant, Ruth acts kindly
toward Naomi out of Ruth’s inner beliefs, culture and character. Yet, her generosity is consistent with the
covenant. As a consequence, God
mercifully moves the heart of Boaz to be kind to Ruth. This gracious repayment is just recompense
for a nice, giving and kind person.
Ruth 3:1-9
The third chapter of this short yet significant book demonstrates divine
rewards for faithfulness. The late Larry
Burkett, Co-founder of Christian Financial Concepts which became Crown
Financial Ministries, often said on his call-in radio program, “God is looking
for talent. There are so few people both
within and outside of the Church who are willing to do things God’s way that He
will use any humble, committed and faithful person.” Though she is not an Israelite, Ruth becomes
God’s servant in His eternal plan of salvation because of her loyal and
faithful character. She embodies the
essence of hesed, the Hebrew word for
God’s unfailing love for Israel. Parenthetically, David appeals to the
reliability of God’s hesed in Psalm
51 after his adultery with Bathsheba and subsequent murder of Uriah. David pleads for God’s forgiveness and mercy
on the basis of His unfailing love toward His covenant people. Nevertheless, Ruth behaves as a covenant
person, although she lacks Israelite lineage and legacy. God rewards Ruth’s adherence to her pledge to
assist Naomi. You will recall the
covenant of Genesis 12 in which God promises to bless anyone and any nation
that blesses Israel.
Ruth’s faithfulness yields the favor of Almighty God in response to His
promises to Abraham.
Majestically, God uses Naomi to bless Ruth. The older woman asks of the younger, “My
daughter, should I not try to find a home for you, where you will be well
provided for?” Interestingly, the very
person whom Ruth pledges to love and support becomes the conduit through whom
Ruth receives an eternal blessing! Yes,
Ruth marries Boaz and benefits materially and financially from his wealth. More significantly, God majestically engrafts
Ruth into the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ruth receives a place of distinction for
eternity. Her reward for her
faithfulness greatly exceeds any earthly monetary value. Countless generations of disciples have and
shall celebrate her immeasurable act of love.
Note the very practical advice and wise counsel that Naomi gives to
Ruth (3:3-6). This exchange reminds us
of the necessity of developing mentor relationships with the Church. Younger disciples should choose, older
believers as role models to emulate carefully and patiently under the direction
of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, their
experience, strength and hope equip them to educate and empower younger
believers with godly wisdom. Naomi does
not over spiritualize her recommendations to Ruth; pragmatically and
practically Naomi instructs Ruth about means and methods of attaining divine blessing.
Further consider the moral and righteous dimensions of Naomi’s
suggestions and Ruth’s actions. Sexual
seduction of an older man who is lonely and high in spirits does not
occur. Instead, Ruth extends a genuine
overture of consideration and affection.
Startled in the midst of deep slumber leavened with wine, Boaz awakes to
find Ruth at his feet. Finding Ruth at
his feet, Boaz immediately recognizes her intentions, respect and loving
consideration. It warms his heart. He applauds her choice of him over the
younger men of whom there were probably many.
Her affection in turn yields a pledge of fidelity to do whatever she
asks. He reaffirms Ruth as a “woman of
noble character.” Her adherence to
Naomi’s godly counsel honors the holy character of God.
