Ruth 2 Study Notes: Ruth Gleans in the Field of Boaz
Ruth goes out to gather leftover grain and, seemingly by chance, works in the field of Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband. Boaz protects her, praises her loyalty and trust in the LORD, and provides generously. Naomi rejoices to learn he is a family redeemer, and Ruth gleans in his fields until the harvest ends.
General
What does Naomi tell Ruth about Boaz’s place in their family (Ruth 2:20)?
Answer: He is a near relative with the right to redeem
Naomi explains that Boaz is a near relative, one of the family’s kinsman-redeemers (2:20). A kinsman-redeemer was a relative who had the right to step in for family members in trouble, for example by buying back land a poor relative had been forced to sell, or by buying back a relative who had sold himself into service (Leviticus 25:25, 47-49). This is the first hint of how the story will be resolved. Ruth reports that Boaz told her to stay with his workers until the harvest is done, and Naomi agrees she does well to keep with his female workers, rather than risk harm in some other field (2:21-22). So she gleans with his servant girls through both the barley and the wheat harvest while living with Naomi (2:23). Scripture calls Jesus the One whom God sent to redeem His people (Galatians 4:4-5), and many Christians have seen in Boaz a picture of Christ, the greater Redeemer.
- Ruth 2:20 (BSB)“Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not withdrawn His kindness from the living or the dead.” Naomi continued, “The man is a close relative. He is one of our kinsman-redeemers.””Naomi explains that Boaz is a near relative, one of the family’s kinsman-redeemers.
- Ruth 2:21-22 (BSB)“Then Ruth the Moabitess said, “He also told me, ‘Stay with my young men until they have finished gathering all my harvest.’” And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law Ruth, “My daughter, it is good for you to work with his young women, so that nothing will happen to you in another field.””Ruth reports Boaz’s invitation to stay with his workers, and Naomi agrees it is safer than another field.
- Ruth 2:23 (BSB)“So Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to glean grain until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.”Ruth gleans with Boaz’s servant girls through the barley and wheat harvests and lives with Naomi.
- Leviticus 25:25 (BSB)“If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.”A close relative could redeem the property a poor family member had been forced to sell.
- Leviticus 25:47-49 (BSB)“If a foreigner residing among you prospers, but your countryman dwelling near him becomes destitute and sells himself to the foreigner or to a member of his clan, he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his brothers may redeem him: either his uncle or cousin or any close relative from his clan may redeem him. Or if he prospers, he may redeem himself.”A relative could also buy back a family member who had sold himself into service.
- Galatians 4:4-5 (BSB)“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.”God sent His Son to redeem those under the law, the great redemption the Bible points toward.
Theological
What does Naomi disclose about Boaz’s relationship to the family (Ruth 2:20)?
Answer: He is a near relative with the right to redeem
Naomi identifies Boaz as a near kinsman and one of the family’s kinsman-redeemers (2:20), the relative who, under the law of Moses, could buy back family land sold through poverty or a family member sold into servitude (Leviticus 25:25, 47-49). The disclosure sets the trajectory of chapters 3 and 4. Ruth relays Boaz’s invitation to stay with his workers through the harvest, Naomi approves it as safer than another field, and Ruth gleans among his servant girls through both the barley and the wheat harvest (2:21-23). The NT presents Christ as the One sent to redeem (Galatians 4:4-5); many Christians have seen in Boaz a picture of Christ as the greater Redeemer, though the NT does not draw that parallel itself.
- Ruth 2:20 (BSB)“Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not withdrawn His kindness from the living or the dead.” Naomi continued, “The man is a close relative. He is one of our kinsman-redeemers.””Naomi explains that Boaz is a near relative, one of the family’s kinsman-redeemers.
- Ruth 2:21-22 (BSB)“Then Ruth the Moabitess said, “He also told me, ‘Stay with my young men until they have finished gathering all my harvest.’” And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law Ruth, “My daughter, it is good for you to work with his young women, so that nothing will happen to you in another field.””Ruth reports Boaz’s invitation to stay with his workers, and Naomi agrees it is safer than another field.
- Ruth 2:23 (BSB)“So Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to glean grain until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.”Ruth gleans with Boaz’s servant girls through the barley and wheat harvests and lives with Naomi.
- Leviticus 25:25 (BSB)“If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.”A close relative could redeem the property a poor family member had been forced to sell.
- Leviticus 25:47-49 (BSB)“If a foreigner residing among you prospers, but your countryman dwelling near him becomes destitute and sells himself to the foreigner or to a member of his clan, he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his brothers may redeem him: either his uncle or cousin or any close relative from his clan may redeem him. Or if he prospers, he may redeem himself.”A relative could also buy back a family member who had sold himself into service.
- Galatians 4:4-5 (BSB)“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.”God sent His Son to redeem those under the law, the great redemption the Bible points toward.
General
Ruth asks Boaz why he has noticed her, a foreigner. What reason does he give (Ruth 2:10-11)?
Answer: He had heard how she left her land to care for Naomi
Ruth bows low before him and asks why she has found such favor when she is a foreigner, someone from another nation (2:10). Boaz explains that he has been told everything she has done for Naomi since Mahlon’s death: she left her parents and her homeland and came to live among a people who were strangers to her (2:11). Boaz’s kindness is a response to Ruth’s own faithful love. Her leaving resembles Abram’s, whom the LORD called to leave his country and his father’s household (Genesis 12:1), and who went out by faith toward a land he did not yet know (Hebrews 11:8).
- Ruth 2:10-11 (BSB)“At this, she fell on her face, bowing low to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you should take notice of me, even though I am a foreigner?” Boaz replied, “I have been made fully aware of all you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth, and how you came to a people you did not know before.”Ruth asks why Boaz favors a foreigner, and he answers that he has heard all she has done for Naomi.
- Genesis 12:1 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.”The LORD called Abram to leave his country, kindred and father’s household, a leaving like the one Boaz praises.
- Hebrews 11:8 (BSB)“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going.”Abraham’s leaving for a place he did not know is described as an act of faith.
Theological
How does Boaz account for the favor he shows Ruth, a foreigner (Ruth 2:10-11)?
Answer: He had heard how she left her land to care for Naomi
To Ruth’s question about why a foreigner should receive such regard (2:10), Boaz answers that her conduct toward Naomi since Mahlon’s death has been fully reported to him, including her abandonment of parents and native land to join an unfamiliar people (2:11). His favor responds to her loyal love. Her departure echoes Abram’s call to leave country, kindred and father’s house (Genesis 12:1), a departure Hebrews presents as an act of faith (Hebrews 11:8).
- Ruth 2:10-11 (BSB)“At this, she fell on her face, bowing low to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you should take notice of me, even though I am a foreigner?” Boaz replied, “I have been made fully aware of all you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth, and how you came to a people you did not know before.”Ruth asks why Boaz favors a foreigner, and he answers that he has heard all she has done for Naomi.
- Genesis 12:1 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.”The LORD called Abram to leave his country, kindred and father’s household, a leaving like the one Boaz praises.
- Hebrews 11:8 (BSB)“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going.”Abraham’s leaving for a place he did not know is described as an act of faith.
General
True or False: When Boaz came out to his field, he and his harvesters greeted each other with blessings in the LORD’s name.
Answer: True
This is true. Boaz arrives from Bethlehem and greets his reapers by praying for the LORD’s presence with them, and they answer by asking the LORD to bless him (2:4). Even ordinary workday greetings in Boaz’s field are spoken in the LORD’s name, a first glimpse of Boaz’s godliness and of a workplace where God is honored. Psalm 129:8 shows that such blessings in the LORD’s name were customary at harvest, and the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:24-26 reflects the same habit of asking God to bless His people.
- Ruth 2:4 (BSB)“Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and said to the harvesters, “The LORD be with you.” “The LORD bless you,” they replied.”Boaz arrives from Bethlehem, and he and his harvesters greet one another with blessings in the LORD’s name.
- Psalm 129:8 (BSB)“May none who pass by say to them, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.””The psalm quotes the customary blessing in the LORD’s name that passersby spoke to reapers at harvest.
- Numbers 6:24-26 (BSB)“‘May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’”The priestly blessing shows Israel’s practice of asking the LORD to bless and keep His people.
Theological
True or False: Boaz and his reapers exchanged greetings that invoked the LORD’s presence and blessing.
Answer: True
This is true. Boaz’s greeting asks for the LORD’s presence with his workers, and they reply with a blessing on him in the LORD’s name (2:4). The exchange introduces Boaz as a man whose daily affairs are conducted in conscious relation to the LORD, which stands out against the moral confusion of the judges’ era. The form reflects a customary harvest blessing (Psalm 129:8) and the wider Israelite practice of invoking the LORD’s blessing (Numbers 6:24-26).
- Ruth 2:4 (BSB)“Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and said to the harvesters, “The LORD be with you.” “The LORD bless you,” they replied.”Boaz arrives from Bethlehem, and he and his harvesters greet one another with blessings in the LORD’s name.
- Psalm 129:8 (BSB)“May none who pass by say to them, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.””The psalm quotes the customary blessing in the LORD’s name that passersby spoke to reapers at harvest.
- Numbers 6:24-26 (BSB)“‘May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’”The priestly blessing shows Israel’s practice of asking the LORD to bless and keep His people.
General
How does the narrator introduce Boaz before Ruth ever meets him (Ruth 2:1)?
Answer: A respected man from Elimelech’s own clan
Before Ruth sets out, the narrator tells the reader something she does not yet know: Naomi has a kinsman through her late husband, Boaz, a man of standing and good character who belongs to Elimelech’s clan, his wider family group (2:1). This detail prepares for everything that follows, because a relative could act for the family in its need (2:20). Boaz’s good character also matches Ruth’s; he later praises her with the same description of noble character (3:11). Boaz goes on to appear in the family line of David and of Jesus (Matthew 1:5; Luke 3:32).
- Ruth 2:1 (BSB)“Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a prominent man of noble character from the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.”Before Ruth goes out to glean, the narrator introduces Boaz as a relative from Elimelech’s clan.
- Ruth 3:11 (BSB)“And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character.”Boaz later uses the same description of noble character for Ruth, matching the two main characters.
- Matthew 1:5 (BSB)“Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,”Matthew lists Boaz as the father of Obed by Ruth in the family line of Jesus.
- Luke 3:32 (BSB)“the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon,”Luke’s genealogy of Jesus also runs through Boaz, Obed and Jesse.
Theological
What does the narrator tell the reader about Boaz at the opening of chapter 2 (Ruth 2:1)?
Answer: A respected man from Elimelech’s own clan
The narrator gives the reader advance knowledge that Ruth lacks: Naomi has a kinsman through Elimelech, Boaz, a man of standing and worth from Elimelech’s clan (2:1). This advance knowledge sets up the chance meeting of 2:3 and Naomi’s disclosure in 2:20. Boaz’s character pairs with Ruth’s, since he later applies the same description of noble character to her (3:11), and both genealogies of Jesus run through him (Matthew 1:5; Luke 3:32).
- Ruth 2:1 (BSB)“Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a prominent man of noble character from the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.”Before Ruth goes out to glean, the narrator introduces Boaz as a relative from Elimelech’s clan.
- Ruth 3:11 (BSB)“And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character.”Boaz later uses the same description of noble character for Ruth, matching the two main characters.
- Matthew 1:5 (BSB)“Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,”Matthew lists Boaz as the father of Obed by Ruth in the family line of Jesus.
- Luke 3:32 (BSB)“the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon,”Luke’s genealogy of Jesus also runs through Boaz, Obed and Jesse.
General
What does Boaz tell Ruth to do after learning who she is (Ruth 2:8-9)?
Answer: Stay in his field near his servant girls
Boaz tells Ruth not to glean in any other field but to stay close to his servant girls and follow them as they harvest. He has told his young workers to leave her alone, and when she is thirsty she may drink from the water his workers have drawn (2:8-9). For a foreign widow alone in the fields, this was real protection and provision. Boaz’s kindness reflects the LORD’s own heart: He cares for the foreigner and commanded Israel to do the same (Deuteronomy 10:18-19; Leviticus 19:33-34), and He watches over foreigners, the fatherless and widows (Psalm 146:9).
- Ruth 2:8-9 (BSB)“Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Do not go and glean in another field, and do not go away from this place, but stay here close to my servant girls. Let your eyes be on the field they are harvesting, and follow along after these girls. Indeed, I have ordered the young men not to touch you. And when you are thirsty, go and drink from the jars the young men have filled.””Boaz tells Ruth to stay in his field near his servant girls, says he has protected her, and offers her water.
- Deuteronomy 10:18-19 (BSB)“He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.”The LORD loves the foreigner and commands His people to love the foreigner too.
- Psalm 146:9 (BSB)“The LORD protects foreigners; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates.”The LORD protects foreigners and sustains the fatherless and the widow.
- Leviticus 19:33-34 (BSB)“When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”Israel was to treat the foreigner among them as native-born and love him as themselves.
Theological
What instructions does Boaz give Ruth once he learns who she is (Ruth 2:8-9)?
Answer: Stay in his field near his servant girls
Boaz directs Ruth to remain in his field alongside his servant girls rather than glean elsewhere, assures her that he has forbidden the young men to bother her, and gives her access to the workers’ water (2:8-9). For a foreign widow, these are concrete measures of protection and provision. They embody the Torah’s command to love the sojourner (Deuteronomy 10:18-19; Leviticus 19:33-34), which itself reflects the LORD’s care for the sojourner, the orphan and the widow (Psalm 146:9).
- Ruth 2:8-9 (BSB)“Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Do not go and glean in another field, and do not go away from this place, but stay here close to my servant girls. Let your eyes be on the field they are harvesting, and follow along after these girls. Indeed, I have ordered the young men not to touch you. And when you are thirsty, go and drink from the jars the young men have filled.””Boaz tells Ruth to stay in his field near his servant girls, says he has protected her, and offers her water.
- Deuteronomy 10:18-19 (BSB)“He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.”The LORD loves the foreigner and commands His people to love the foreigner too.
- Psalm 146:9 (BSB)“The LORD protects foreigners; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates.”The LORD protects foreigners and sustains the fatherless and the widow.
- Leviticus 19:33-34 (BSB)“When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”Israel was to treat the foreigner among them as native-born and love him as themselves.
General
After the meal, what does Boaz tell his young men to do for Ruth (Ruth 2:15-16)?
Answer: Pull out extra stalks and drop them for her
At mealtime Boaz invites Ruth to eat bread with the harvesters and hands her roasted grain; she eats her fill and has food to spare (2:14). Then he tells his young men to let her glean even among the sheaves without shaming her, and to pull stalks out of the bundled grain on purpose for her to pick up (2:15-16). The law required farmers to leave a forgotten sheaf behind for the outsider, the orphan and the widow (Deuteronomy 24:19); Boaz goes far beyond that, giving generously and without a grudging heart (Deuteronomy 15:10). Scripture says that being kind to a poor person is like lending to the LORD (Proverbs 19:17). By evening Ruth has beaten out roughly an ephah of grain, an ephah being a dry measure (2:17), and she carries it home to Naomi along with the food left over from her meal (2:18).
- Ruth 2:14 (BSB)“At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here; have some bread and dip it into the vinegar sauce.” So she sat down beside the harvesters, and he offered her roasted grain, and she ate and was satisfied and had some left over.”At mealtime Boaz invites Ruth to eat with the harvesters and gives her roasted grain.
- Ruth 2:15-16 (BSB)“When Ruth got up to glean, Boaz ordered his young men, “Even if she gathers among the sheaves, do not insult her. Rather, pull out for her some stalks from the bundles and leave them for her to gather. Do not rebuke her.””Boaz tells his young men to let Ruth glean freely and to pull out stalks for her on purpose.
- Deuteronomy 15:10 (BSB)“Give generously to him, and do not let your heart be grieved when you do so. And because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything to which you put your hand.”God’s people were to give generously and without a grudging heart.
- Proverbs 19:17 (BSB)“Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.”Kindness to the poor is like a loan to the LORD, who repays it.
- Deuteronomy 24:19 (BSB)“If you are harvesting in your field and forget a sheaf there, do not go back to get it. It is to be left for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.”The law required forgotten sheaves to be left for the foreigner, fatherless and widow.
Theological
What arrangement does Boaz make with his young men after the meal (Ruth 2:15-16)?
Answer: Pull out extra stalks and drop them for her
Boaz first welcomes Ruth to his table, where she eats until satisfied with food to spare (2:14), then instructs his men to let her glean among the sheaves unhindered and deliberately to draw out stalks for her (2:15-16). The law required that forgotten sheaves remain in the field for the needy (Deuteronomy 24:19); Boaz goes well beyond this with open-handed generosity (Deuteronomy 15:10), the kind of generosity toward the poor that the LORD Himself repays (Proverbs 19:17). At day’s end she has roughly an ephah of grain, which she brings home to Naomi with the food left over from her meal (2:17-18).
- Ruth 2:14 (BSB)“At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here; have some bread and dip it into the vinegar sauce.” So she sat down beside the harvesters, and he offered her roasted grain, and she ate and was satisfied and had some left over.”At mealtime Boaz invites Ruth to eat with the harvesters and gives her roasted grain.
- Ruth 2:15-16 (BSB)“When Ruth got up to glean, Boaz ordered his young men, “Even if she gathers among the sheaves, do not insult her. Rather, pull out for her some stalks from the bundles and leave them for her to gather. Do not rebuke her.””Boaz tells his young men to let Ruth glean freely and to pull out stalks for her on purpose.
- Deuteronomy 15:10 (BSB)“Give generously to him, and do not let your heart be grieved when you do so. And because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything to which you put your hand.”God’s people were to give generously and without a grudging heart.
- Proverbs 19:17 (BSB)“Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.”Kindness to the poor is like a loan to the LORD, who repays it.
- Deuteronomy 24:19 (BSB)“If you are harvesting in your field and forget a sheaf there, do not go back to get it. It is to be left for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.”The law required forgotten sheaves to be left for the foreigner, fatherless and widow.
General
True or False: Boaz learned who Ruth was from Naomi, who had come out to the field with her.
Answer: False
This is false. Boaz asks the foreman, the servant in charge of the reapers, who this young woman is, and it is the foreman who answers (2:5-7). He identifies her as the Moabite woman who came back with Naomi, reports that she politely asked permission to glean behind the reapers, and says she has kept working since morning with only a short rest in the shelter. Naomi was not in the field at all. Ruth’s humble, steady work speaks for her before she says a word to Boaz. Scripture commends such diligence (Proverbs 12:24) and calls God’s people to work wholeheartedly (Colossians 3:23).
- Ruth 2:5-7 (BSB)“And Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?” The foreman answered, “She is the Moabitess who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab. She has said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the harvesters.’ So she came out and has continued from morning until now, except that she rested a short time in the shelter.””Boaz asks his foreman about the young woman, and the foreman tells him who she is and how she has worked.
- Proverbs 12:24 (BSB)“The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.”Scripture commends diligent hands, the kind of steady work the foreman reports.
- Colossians 3:23 (BSB)“Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men,”Believers are called to work wholeheartedly, as Ruth did in the field.
Theological
True or False: Naomi, present in the field with Ruth, was the one who identified her to Boaz.
Answer: False
This is false. Boaz’s question about the young woman is answered by the foreman over his harvesters (2:5-7), who identifies her as the Moabite who came back with Naomi, notes her courteous request to glean, and reports her steady labor since morning apart from a brief rest. Naomi is not present. Ruth’s character is attested by her work before Boaz addresses her, the kind of diligence Scripture commends (Proverbs 12:24; Colossians 3:23).
- Ruth 2:5-7 (BSB)“And Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?” The foreman answered, “She is the Moabitess who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab. She has said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the harvesters.’ So she came out and has continued from morning until now, except that she rested a short time in the shelter.””Boaz asks his foreman about the young woman, and the foreman tells him who she is and how she has worked.
- Proverbs 12:24 (BSB)“The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.”Scripture commends diligent hands, the kind of steady work the foreman reports.
- Colossians 3:23 (BSB)“Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men,”Believers are called to work wholeheartedly, as Ruth did in the field.
General
When Ruth names Boaz, what does Naomi say about the LORD (Ruth 2:20)?
Answer: He has kept showing kindness to the living and the dead
Naomi first blesses the unknown man who noticed Ruth (2:19). When she hears the name Boaz, she blesses him by the LORD, and says the LORD has not stopped showing kindness to the living and the dead (2:20). This is a real turn from her words on arriving in Bethlehem, when she said the Almighty had dealt harshly with her and sent her home empty (1:20-21). Now she sees the LORD’s faithful love at work again, for the living, Naomi and Ruth, and for the dead, whose family line could still be preserved. The LORD’s loving devotion lasts forever for all who revere Him (Psalm 103:17), and though He brings grief, He shows compassion (Lamentations 3:32-33).
- Ruth 2:19 (BSB)“Then her mother-in-law asked her, “Where did you glean today, and where did you work? Blessed be the man who noticed you.” So she told her mother-in-law where she had worked. “The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz,” she said.”Naomi asks where Ruth gleaned, blesses the man who noticed her, and hears the name Boaz.
- Ruth 2:20 (BSB)“Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not withdrawn His kindness from the living or the dead.” Naomi continued, “The man is a close relative. He is one of our kinsman-redeemers.””Naomi blesses Boaz by the LORD, praises His continuing kindness, and tells Ruth that Boaz is a close relative.
- Psalm 103:17 (BSB)“But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children—”The LORD’s loving devotion lasts from everlasting to everlasting for those who fear Him.
- Lamentations 3:32-33 (BSB)“Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion. For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.”Even after bringing grief, the LORD shows compassion out of His abundant loving devotion.
- Ruth 1:20-21 (BSB)““Do not call me Naomi,” she replied. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has dealt quite bitterly with me. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me.””Naomi’s earlier lament shows how great a turn her words in 2:20 represent.
Theological
What does Naomi affirm about the LORD on learning that Ruth gleaned in Boaz’s field (Ruth 2:20)?
Answer: He has kept showing kindness to the living and the dead
Having blessed the man who took notice of Ruth (2:19), Naomi, on hearing the name Boaz, blesses him by the LORD, whose kindness has not ceased toward the living and the dead (2:20). Set beside her lament on arriving in Bethlehem (1:20-21), this marks a turn: the providence she had experienced as bitter she now recognizes as covenant faithfulness extending to Ruth and herself and to the deceased men of the family. The LORD’s loving devotion is everlasting toward all who revere Him (Psalm 103:17), and His compassion follows the grief He sends (Lamentations 3:32-33).
- Ruth 2:19 (BSB)“Then her mother-in-law asked her, “Where did you glean today, and where did you work? Blessed be the man who noticed you.” So she told her mother-in-law where she had worked. “The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz,” she said.”Naomi asks where Ruth gleaned, blesses the man who noticed her, and hears the name Boaz.
- Ruth 2:20 (BSB)“Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not withdrawn His kindness from the living or the dead.” Naomi continued, “The man is a close relative. He is one of our kinsman-redeemers.””Naomi blesses Boaz by the LORD, praises His continuing kindness, and tells Ruth that Boaz is a close relative.
- Psalm 103:17 (BSB)“But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children—”The LORD’s loving devotion lasts from everlasting to everlasting for those who fear Him.
- Lamentations 3:32-33 (BSB)“Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion. For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.”Even after bringing grief, the LORD shows compassion out of His abundant loving devotion.
- Ruth 1:20-21 (BSB)““Do not call me Naomi,” she replied. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has dealt quite bitterly with me. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me.””Naomi’s earlier lament shows how great a turn her words in 2:20 represent.
General
In his blessing on Ruth, where does Boaz say she has come to take refuge (Ruth 2:12)?
Answer: Under the sheltering wings of Israel’s God
Boaz prays that the LORD will repay Ruth’s work and reward her richly. Then he speaks of the LORD’s sheltering wings and says Ruth has come to Him for refuge (2:12). Boaz sees what Ruth’s pledge in 1:16-17 meant: she has put her trust in the LORD. The image of refuge under God’s wings appears in the Psalms (Psalm 91:4; 36:7), and Jesus used it to describe His longing to gather His people to Himself (Matthew 23:37). A Moabite widow has found shelter with Israel’s God, a clear picture of God’s grace reaching an outsider. Ruth answers humbly, thanking Boaz for comforting her with kind words though she is not even equal to one of his servant girls (2:13).
- Ruth 2:12 (BSB)“May the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge.””Boaz blesses Ruth, asking the LORD to reward her, and describes her as having taken refuge under His wings.
- Ruth 2:13 (BSB)““My lord,” she said, “may I continue to find favor in your eyes, for you have comforted and spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your servant girls.””Ruth thanks Boaz for comforting her and speaking kindly, though she is not like one of his servant girls.
- Psalm 91:4 (BSB)“He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.”The psalm pictures the LORD covering His people with His feathers and giving refuge under His wings.
- Psalm 36:7 (BSB)“How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!”People of every kind take refuge in the shadow of God’s wings because of His loving devotion.
- Matthew 23:37 (BSB)“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!”Jesus uses the image of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings for His longing to gather His people.
Theological
According to Boaz’s blessing, where has Ruth sought shelter (Ruth 2:12)?
Answer: Under the sheltering wings of Israel’s God
Boaz invokes the LORD’s reward on Ruth and identifies her as one who has come to take refuge under the wings of Israel’s God (2:12). He interprets her pledge of 1:16-17 as genuine trust in the LORD. The wings image is the language of the Psalms for the security of those who trust God (Psalm 91:4; 36:7), and Jesus applies it to His own gathering of His people (Matthew 23:37). A Moabite is received under the protection of Israel’s God by grace. Ruth replies with humble gratitude for his comforting words, counting herself below even his servant girls (2:13).
- Ruth 2:12 (BSB)“May the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge.””Boaz blesses Ruth, asking the LORD to reward her, and describes her as having taken refuge under His wings.
- Ruth 2:13 (BSB)““My lord,” she said, “may I continue to find favor in your eyes, for you have comforted and spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your servant girls.””Ruth thanks Boaz for comforting her and speaking kindly, though she is not like one of his servant girls.
- Psalm 91:4 (BSB)“He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.”The psalm pictures the LORD covering His people with His feathers and giving refuge under His wings.
- Psalm 36:7 (BSB)“How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!”People of every kind take refuge in the shadow of God’s wings because of His loving devotion.
- Matthew 23:37 (BSB)“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!”Jesus uses the image of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings for His longing to gather His people.
General
Whose idea was it for Ruth to go out and glean in the fields (Ruth 2:2)?
Answer: Ruth’s own, asked of Naomi
Ruth herself asks Naomi to let her go out and glean, gathering the leftover grain the harvesters leave behind, following anyone who might show her favor; Naomi tells her to go (2:2). God’s law told Israelite farmers not to reap their fields right up to the borders or pick up what was left, but to leave it for needy people and outsiders (Leviticus 19:9-10), and a forgotten sheaf belonged to the outsider, the orphan and the widow (Deuteronomy 24:19). Ruth was a poor foreign widow. She takes the initiative to provide for Naomi, and the LORD’s own law for the needy is the means of their bread.
- Ruth 2:2 (BSB)“And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go into the fields and glean heads of grain after someone in whose sight I may find favor.” “Go ahead, my daughter,” Naomi replied.”Ruth asks Naomi’s permission to go and glean behind someone who might show her favor, and Naomi agrees.
- Leviticus 19:9-10 (BSB)“When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God.”God’s law told farmers to leave the edges and leftovers of the harvest for the poor and the foreigner.
- Deuteronomy 24:19 (BSB)“If you are harvesting in your field and forget a sheaf there, do not go back to get it. It is to be left for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.”Forgotten sheaves were to be left for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow.
Theological
Whose idea is it that Ruth go out to glean (Ruth 2:2)?
Answer: Ruth’s own, asked of Naomi
The initiative is Ruth’s: she asks Naomi’s leave to glean behind anyone in whose eyes she might find favor, and Naomi consents (2:2). Gleaning was the Mosaic provision for the poor, the sojourner, the orphan and the widow (Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 24:19), and Ruth was poor, a foreigner and a widow. Her diligence and the LORD’s provision through His law work together to sustain the two widows.
- Ruth 2:2 (BSB)“And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go into the fields and glean heads of grain after someone in whose sight I may find favor.” “Go ahead, my daughter,” Naomi replied.”Ruth asks Naomi’s permission to go and glean behind someone who might show her favor, and Naomi agrees.
- Leviticus 19:9-10 (BSB)“When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God.”God’s law told farmers to leave the edges and leftovers of the harvest for the poor and the foreigner.
- Deuteronomy 24:19 (BSB)“If you are harvesting in your field and forget a sheaf there, do not go back to get it. It is to be left for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.”Forgotten sheaves were to be left for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow.
General
Ruth “happened to come” upon the portion of the field owned by Boaz. What does the rest of the book show about this event (Ruth 2:3)?
Answer: God was quietly guiding an ordinary choice
On the surface, Ruth’s arrival at Boaz’s field is simple chance: she went out to glean and ended up in the field of the very man from Elimelech’s clan (2:3). The rest of the story shows that the LORD was directing her steps through an ordinary decision. Naomi soon sees His kindness in it (2:20), and the chain of events leads all the way to David (4:17). Scripture teaches that people plan their way, yet it is the LORD who sets their steps (Proverbs 16:9), and even what looks like a roll of the dice is decided by Him (Proverbs 16:33). This is God’s providence, His wise and sovereign care over all things, working through real human choices without forcing them. As a general principle, God turns all things to good for the people who love Him (Romans 8:28).
- Ruth 2:3 (BSB)“So Ruth departed and went out into the field and gleaned after the harvesters. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech.”Ruth goes out to glean and, as it turns out, comes to the part of the field that belongs to Boaz.
- Proverbs 16:9 (BSB)“A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”People make their plans, but the LORD directs where their steps actually go.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”Even an outcome that looks like pure chance is decided by the LORD.
- Romans 8:28 (BSB)“And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.”As a general principle, God works all things for the good of those who love Him.
Theological
The narrator says Ruth “happened to come” upon the portion of the field owned by Boaz. How does the book as a whole present this event (Ruth 2:3)?
Answer: God was quietly guiding an ordinary choice
The narrator describes Ruth’s arrival in Boaz’s field in the language of chance (2:3), yet the outcome shows that God’s providence was governing an ordinary, freely made decision. Naomi herself traces it to the LORD’s kindness (2:20), and the sequence it sets in motion ends with David (4:17). The Bible teaches that the LORD determines the steps of those who plan their own way (Proverbs 16:9) and decides even the lot (Proverbs 16:33). Nothing is random to Him; He rules through secondary causes and genuine human choices. Romans 8:28 states the general principle that God makes everything serve the good of His called people.
- Ruth 2:3 (BSB)“So Ruth departed and went out into the field and gleaned after the harvesters. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech.”Ruth goes out to glean and, as it turns out, comes to the part of the field that belongs to Boaz.
- Proverbs 16:9 (BSB)“A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”People make their plans, but the LORD directs where their steps actually go.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”Even an outcome that looks like pure chance is decided by the LORD.
- Romans 8:28 (BSB)“And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.”As a general principle, God works all things for the good of those who love Him.