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Doubtless Naomi would have explained to Ruth away back in Moab of the wonderful
provision the God of Israel had made for those who were poor and needy in the land of
Canaan. She would have told her of the loving concern and the tender mercy as well as
the mighty power of the One Who led her people out of Egypt, through the wilderness
and into the promised land. She would have told her the words recorded in Lev.xix.9,10
and in chapter 23: 22, and in Deut. 24: 19.
There was indeed in Israel a way for widows and foreigners to obtain bread.
"And 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"
(2: 3).
"Her hap was . . . . .", "it happened that . . . . .". No instructions were given her by
Naomi. She did not know whose field it was to which she went. She had no reason for
going to that particular farm more than any other. It was by chance she chose the one she
did to all intents and purposes. Yet a clear shaping of her course was undertaken for her
by unseen Hands. Her steps were divinely guided so that God's purposes should be
fulfilled.
So it was that Ruth came to glean in the field that belonged to Boaz who was of the
kindred of Elimelech.
"And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be
with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee" (2: 4).
Harvest time is always a busy time on the farm, many hands must then be at work.
Boaz who had great wealth and therefore much land, must have employed a great number
of labourers. The greetings between master and men showed there was much good
feeling between the two. There was true courtesy and friendliness, and Boaz is surely
presented to us as a man of the highest integrity, who is held in high regard by those who
worked for him.
"Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?
And 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: And 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" (2: 5-7).
The servant that was set over the reapers, the steward, or overseer, or as we should say
the foreman, gave to Boaz a detailed account of who Ruth was. That she was a foreigner
from Moab, with family connections to Boaz himself. That she was modest and had not
commenced to glean until she had obtained leave. That she was very industrious and
worked hard. This honest report, and doubtless the fact that Ruth was a very beautiful
young woman, stirred Boaz to speak most kindly to her.
"Then 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: Let 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" (2: 8-9).