2. Ruth Chapter 2

3. Bringing Home the Bacon Faced with hunger and no where to go for help, Ruth takes the initiative and asks Naomi if she go gleaning in the fields of whomever she finds favor Faced with hunger and no where to go for help, Ruth takes the initiative and asks Naomi if she go gleaning in the fields of whomever she finds favor Naomi, probably immobilized from depression, agrees to let her go Naomi, probably immobilized from depression, agrees to let her go By the providence of God, Ruth just happens to glean in the field of Boaz, who just happens to be a relative and redeemer (goel), and who just happens to come to field when Ruth is gleaning By the providence of God, Ruth just happens to glean in the field of Boaz, who just happens to be a relative and redeemer (goel), and who just happens to come to field when Ruth is gleaning

4. How Big is a Corner? How Wide is an Edge? Area for reapers to harvest grain (remaining green is for gleaners) Field is white unto harvest … How thoroughly do I want my workers to clear my fields of grain, given the fact what we only have one chance to clear it? How much will I leave behind for the poor? Walking with God stretches our capacity for sacrifice and our imagination for obedience!!

5. A Surprising Request Remember, when harvesting a field, typically the hired men went first reaping the standing grain stalks with sickles Remember, when harvesting a field, typically the hired men went first reaping the standing grain stalks with sickles Female workers followed, gathering and binding cut grain into bundles to be carried to the threshing floor Female workers followed, gathering and binding cut grain into bundles to be carried to the threshing floor Gleaners came last and were permitted in the fields only after both teams of hired workers finished and bundled sheaves of grain removed from the field Gleaners came last and were permitted in the fields only after both teams of hired workers finished and bundled sheaves of grain removed from the field  Ruth is actually requesting Boaz to suspend the gleaning practice for her. She didn’t want to pick up leftover scraps for Naomi. She wanted to feed her mother-in-law  Ruth asked to “glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.” In other words, Ruth asked to go where gleaners were not permitted, to go among the hired ladies who were binding the grain after the reapers

6. Comparison of Major Characters BOAZ Powerful Powerful Wealth & Resources Wealth & Resources Full Full Stands on his own Stands on his own NAOMI & RUTH Powerless & vulnerable Powerless & vulnerable Poverty & hunger Poverty & hunger Empty Empty Derive identity & significance from men Derive identity & significance from men Boaz gets the shock of his life when a first-time gleaner – a foreigner at that – takes him to a higher level of obedience Ruth is pressing Boaz to color outside the lines of his understanding of God’s law. The letter of the law says, “let them glean.” The spirit of the law says, “feed them.” Two entirely different concepts. Ruth’s bold proposal exposes the difference … how would Boaz respond to this challenge?

7. 8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. 9 Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.” 10 Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” 11 But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. 12 The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” 13 Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.” Ruth 2:8-13 Boaz talks to Ruth for the first time

8. Ruth 2:8-9 8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. 9 Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.” Boaz addresses Ruth w/6 short statements & a final 7 th conditional statement: 1. Don’t go and glean in another field; 2. Don’t leave this field; 3. Keep close [lit., stick close to/cling dubaq] to my young women; 4. Keep watch on field where men (and women) are reaping; 5. And go after them; 6. I have charged (ordered) young men not to touch you [or hoot at you]; 7. and when you get thirsty, go to vessels & drink what young men have drawn What can we conclude about Ruth from the first 3 statements?  That Ruth was leaving the field as Boaz arrived What can we conclude about Ruth from the final statement?  That something done to her by the male reapers has made her uncomfortable enough to leave  That Ruth’s attempt to get a drink of water had provided the occasion for the young reapers’ action What can we conclude about Ruth from statements 4-6? 8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. 9 Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.”

9. Ruth 2:8-9 8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. 9 Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.” What do we learn about Boaz from the way he addressed Ruth in verse 8? What motivated Boaz’s generosity? How can you see Christ in the figure of Boaz in these verses? How has Christ provided for you or protected you recently?

10. Ruth 2:10-13 10 Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” 11 But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. 12 The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” 13 Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.” Remember that Ruth was a young widow who was not only new to the Jewish faith but to the community as well. What do you think Boaz's affirmation and kindness meant to her at this particular time in her life? What was Ruth's response to Boaz's kindness? What does Ruth’s actions teach us about how we should respond to God’s blessings to us in Christ? In what ways do you think Boaz’ knowledge of the death of her husband and her loyalty to Naomi have been a special encouragement to her? Boaz’s statement would serve as an unofficial welcome to the Israelite community, reassuring Ruth that she wouldn’t be totally rejected as a foreigner It would help Ruth realize that others appreciated her ministry to despondent Naomi, who wasn’t grateful for anything at this time It was an endorsement of Ruth’s willingness to serve her mother-in- law, fortifying her against the comments of others and her own natural self-doubts Boaz’s statement about death of Ruth’s husband served as a note of sympathetic understanding, helping ease the pain of her loss

11. Ruth 2:10-13 10 Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” 11 But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. 12 The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” 13 Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.” What metaphor for God’s loving protection is used in v. 12? What does this verse tell you about the faith of Ruth? Before God, what characteristics did she model? In verse 13, Ruth described herself as lower than one of Boaz’s serving girls. What does this reveal about Ruth? What can we Christians learn from this? As young, weak, and helpless chicks find protection from predators (cf. Psalms 7:1-2; 57:1-4) and the elements (cf. Psalm 91:1-6) under the wings of the mother bird, so Ruth, against whom life had thrown some of the worst that it has to offer, had by faith become a recipient of God’s metaphors of security

12. Lunch Time in Boaz’s Field Ruth 2:14-17

13. 14 And at mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed to her roasted grain. And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over. 15 When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. 16 And also pull out some from the bundles for her and leave it for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.” 17 So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. Ruth 2:14-17

14. 14 And at mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed to her roasted grain. And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over. Ruth 2:14 After Ruth worked all morning, what did Boaz do that might have caught her off guard? What is the significance of Boaz’s invitation to Ruth to join him and his workers at their noontime meal? What does Boaz’s meal of bread and wine vinegar bring to mind? When Boaz invited Ruth to eat with him, part of the meal included roasted or “parched” barley grain The ancient Israelites parched kernels of barley by heating them on an iron plate over an open fire The kernels then developed a toasty taste and texture, and could be eaten “out of hand” somewhat like popcorn, although they did not “pop” and expand in the same way. Boaz invited Ruth to dip her bread in wine-vinegar, another ancient mealtime custom that has seen a recent renaissance. This is especially true in Italian restaurants that invite patrons to dip hot bread into small platters of olive oil mixed with exotic vinegars.

15. Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2 What did Jesus do that so disgusted the Pharisees and teachers of the law? In what way were Boaz’s actions similar?

16. 15 When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. 16 And also pull out some from the bundles for her and leave it for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.” Ruth 2:15-16 What does Boaz tell his men to do once she returns to the field? What additional kindness did Boaz show Ruth? How do Boaz’s favors in these verses exemplify the concept of hesed? What does this tell you about Boaz’s character? By leaving the grain for Ruth rather than just giving it to her, what important spiritual truth did Boaz reveal that he understood (Prov 31:31)? In what ways do you think Boaz’s carefully devised plan accomplished a greater objective than simply providing Ruth with a generous supply of grain?

17. 17 So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. Ruth 2:17 What did Ruth still have to do once she was finished gleaning all day long? What was the result after threshing the barley grain? How much grain is this and why does the author tell us this fact?

18. An Ephah of Grain Commentators usually give some kind of conversion figure for an ephah and end at that Commentators usually give some kind of conversion figure for an ephah and end at that Nielson in her commentary concludes: “Of course, the important thing is not to find out exactly the actual weight but to be overwhelmed by Boaz’s generosity to Ruth.” Nielson in her commentary concludes: “Of course, the important thing is not to find out exactly the actual weight but to be overwhelmed by Boaz’s generosity to Ruth.” While the text is obviously giving this data in order to demonstrated Boaz’s hesed toward the two widows, Ruth and Naomi, what are the practical implications? While the text is obviously giving this data in order to demonstrated Boaz’s hesed toward the two widows, Ruth and Naomi, what are the practical implications? Certainly this note about the significant amount of grain gleaned by Ruth is not given to the reader in order “to add to her list of virtues that she was as strong as an ox.” Certainly this note about the significant amount of grain gleaned by Ruth is not given to the reader in order “to add to her list of virtues that she was as strong as an ox.”  It must have had some tangible, utilitarian value

19. Thinking Like an Engineer An ephah was 1/10 th of a homer An ephah was 1/10 th of a homer The homer was apparently the amount that one donkey could carry, which is about 200 lbs The homer was apparently the amount that one donkey could carry, which is about 200 lbs This fixes the assload of barley at about 150 liters (or if the donkey is carrying wheat is would be 120 liters) This fixes the assload of barley at about 150 liters (or if the donkey is carrying wheat is would be 120 liters) Even allowing for uncertainties and upward adjustment by redefinition of norms, the “natural” assload can hardly have exceeded 200 liters Even allowing for uncertainties and upward adjustment by redefinition of norms, the “natural” assload can hardly have exceeded 200 liters The probable parameters of OT dry measures from smallest to greatest were: The probable parameters of OT dry measures from smallest to greatest were: omer  ephah  homer 1-2 liters  10-20 liters  100-200 liters The ESV text note states that the ephah “was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters.” This seems too high in light of recent archeological research. The ESV text note states that the ephah “was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters.” This seems too high in light of recent archeological research. The ancient norm for a daily food ration was approximately one liter, usually of barley The ancient norm for a daily food ration was approximately one liter, usually of barley Therefore, if Ruth’s ephah equaled about 10-20 liters of barley, she has threshed roughly enough for the two women to eat for a little more than a week Therefore, if Ruth’s ephah equaled about 10-20 liters of barley, she has threshed roughly enough for the two women to eat for a little more than a week

20. The Wages of Gleaning in Boaz’s Fields Ruth 2:23 states that Ruth continued to glean in Boaz’s fields “until the end of the barley and wheat harvests” Ruth 2:23 states that Ruth continued to glean in Boaz’s fields “until the end of the barley and wheat harvests” According to Deut 16:9-12, the time period from the beginning of the barley harvest to the end of the wheat harvest was normally seven weeks, concluding at Pentecost According to Deut 16:9-12, the time period from the beginning of the barley harvest to the end of the wheat harvest was normally seven weeks, concluding at Pentecost Ruth 2:21 indicates Boaz gave her the same extraordinary gleaning privilege throughout rest of the harvest Ruth 2:21 indicates Boaz gave her the same extraordinary gleaning privilege throughout rest of the harvest If Ruth averages the same each day (one ephah) and works the entire seven weeks, she gleans enough barley and wheat to feed the two women for an entire year! If Ruth averages the same each day (one ephah) and works the entire seven weeks, she gleans enough barley and wheat to feed the two women for an entire year! Given their background, ancient hearers of this book would have perceived the import of this gleaning detail Given their background, ancient hearers of this book would have perceived the import of this gleaning detail It would heighten the generosity of Boaz toward the two widows on a scale greater than we modern readers perceive It would heighten the generosity of Boaz toward the two widows on a scale greater than we modern readers perceive

21. The remains of the day …. Ruth 2:18-23

22. 18 And she took it up and went into the city. Her mother-in- law saw what she had gleaned. She also brought out and gave her what food she had left over after being satisfied. 19 And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz.” 20 And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.” 21 And Ruth the Moabite said, “Besides, he said to me, ‘You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’” 22 And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted.” 23 So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law. Ruth 2:18-23

23. 18 And she took it up and went into the city. Her mother-in- law saw what she had gleaned. She also brought out and gave her what food she had left over after being satisfied. 19 And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz.” 20 And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, whose kindness (hesed) has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.” Ruth 2:18-20 What did Ruth share with Naomi? Why did she share it? Why was Naomi so surprised by what Ruth had brought back? In vv. 19-20 Naomi says two spontaneous blessings. What is similar about them? What is different? What do the blessings reveal about Naomi’s heart and faith? In the first two chapters of Ruth has Naomi ever used the word “blessed”? Who is the subject of verse 20? What did Naomi mean by hesed to “the living?” What did she mean by hesed to “the dead?” What hesed does God show the living and the dead? Why does He do this? Contrast Naomi’s view of God in v. 20 with the view she expressed in Ruth 1:20-21. What do you think made the difference for Naomi? Why do you think Naomi is having a change of heart? What two statements does Naomi make about Boaz at the end of verse 20? Why is it significant that Naomi called Boaz “a close relative of ours” rather than “a close relative of mine?” Naomi identified Boaz as a goel, a member of her husband’s clan who could be called upon to exercise the laws of redemption. What needed to be redeemed and why?

24. 21 And Ruth the Moabite said, “Besides, he said to me, ‘You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’” 22 And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted.” 23 So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law. Ruth 2:21-23 Why is Ruth again called the Moabitess in verse 21? What additional privilege did Boaz grant to Ruth? In v. 22 what instructions does Naomi give to Ruth? What is the author’s intent by pointing out at the end of verse 23 what should be obvious, namely that Ruth was living with Naomi? The ancient readers (well aware of the length of time involved in the agricultural year – 2 months in this case) would quickly recognize that Ruth has gleaned for both the barley and wheat harvests in the fields of Boaz (where presumably there was further contact with Boaz), but there has been no development in their relationship What looked like a clear solution to their widowed situation seems to have died out Ruth and Naomi still live together in the same status as when the chapter opened.

25. Incorporating Ruth into the Family of Faith While Ruth 2:2, 6, and 21 still refer to Ruth as a “Moabitess,” everywhere else in Ruth chapter 2 there is movement for her inclusion While Ruth 2:2, 6, and 21 still refer to Ruth as a “Moabitess,” everywhere else in Ruth chapter 2 there is movement for her inclusion Naomi and Boaz separately address Ruth as “my daughter” (2:2, 8, 22) Naomi and Boaz separately address Ruth as “my daughter” (2:2, 8, 22) Ruth is also called Naomi’s daughter-in-law Ruth is also called Naomi’s daughter-in-law Naomi says that Boaz is “our relative” and one of “our redeemers” Naomi says that Boaz is “our relative” and one of “our redeemers” Boaz invites Ruth to come back to his field and takes responsibility for her protection and care Boaz invites Ruth to come back to his field and takes responsibility for her protection and care Boaz further allows Ruth to participate in the harvest as far more than a gleaner Boaz further allows Ruth to participate in the harvest as far more than a gleaner Boaz tells Ruth to “cling” to his servant girls; she now belongs in this new place with these members of the covenant community Boaz tells Ruth to “cling” to his servant girls; she now belongs in this new place with these members of the covenant community She has put off a former way of life and put on the new way of God’s covenant She has put off a former way of life and put on the new way of God’s covenant

26. The Barley Fields Let us conclude with a final consideration of the barley fields of Boaz as depicted in Ruth chapter 2 Let us conclude with a final consideration of the barley fields of Boaz as depicted in Ruth chapter 2 How are the fields of Boaz a fitting metaphor for the Christian church? How are the fields of Boaz a fitting metaphor for the Christian church? What might the field workers symbolize? What might Ruth as gleaner symbolize? What might the field workers symbolize? What might Ruth as gleaner symbolize? What can we at Redeemer do to ensure that “gleaners” and “Moabites” are welcome here at our church? What can we at Redeemer do to ensure that “gleaners” and “Moabites” are welcome here at our church?