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Summary

Ruth 2:1–3 – Providence in a Field

What happens: Naomi has a relative, Boaz, a worthy man from Elimelech’s clan. Ruth asks to glean behind the reapers and happens to come to Boaz’s field.

What it means: God guides “chance” steps. The law’s provision for the poor meets a willing heart. God’s care works through ordinary means.


Ruth 2:4–7 – Noticed by Boaz

What happens: Boaz greets his workers with the LORD’s blessing and inquires about Ruth. The foreman reports her steady, humble work.

What it means: Godly leadership blesses others and sees the vulnerable. Diligence and humility gain rightful favor. God values the overlooked.


Ruth 2:8–13 – Kindness and Refuge

What happens: Boaz protects Ruth, invites her to drink, and assures her safety. Ruth bows in gratitude. Boaz praises her loyalty to Naomi and acknowledges her seeking refuge under the LORD’s wings.

What it means: Kindness images God’s covenant mercy. Refuge in God is real shelter. Honor follows sacrificial love.


Ruth 2:14–17 – Abundance Beyond the Law

What happens: Boaz feeds Ruth and instructs his men to leave extra grain. She gleans an ephah, a generous amount.

What it means: Grace exceeds minimum obligation. God delights to supply more than enough. Generosity reflects His heart.


Ruth 2:18–23 – The Redeemer Identified

What happens: Ruth brings the grain to Naomi, who recognizes Boaz as a close relative and potential redeemer. Naomi counsels Ruth to stay with Boaz’s workers through the harvests.

What it means: God’s provision unfolds through family redemption. Hope grows as God aligns people, place, and time. Waiting in faithful patterns is wise.


Application

  • Step into ordinary diligence and trust God to direct your steps.
  • Practice protective, generous kindness that mirrors God’s care.
  • Seek refuge in the LORD and remain near His provision.
  • Honor wise counsel and stay the course through seasons of waiting.

Bible

1And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.

2And 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.

3And 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.

4And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.

5Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

6And 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:

7And 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.

8Then 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:

9Let 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.

10Then 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?

11And 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.

12The 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.

13Then 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.

14And 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.

15And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:

16And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.

17So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.

18And 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.

19And 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.

20And 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.

21And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.

22And 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.

23So 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.

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