Day 1 in Bethlehem
• Naomi and Ruth had returned to Bethlehem in what
looked like a bleak future … they would have to depend
on family charity and whatever food they could scrounge
for themselves
• But in the midst of the darkness at the very end of Ruth 1,
there was a tiny sliver of light …they arrived in Bethlehem
"at the beginning of barley harvest" (Ruth 1:22)
• Naomi saw the progression in her own life as being from
fullness to emptiness, but the movement for her people
had been the opposite
• God’s people had gone from famine as the story opened
to the brink of a new harvest in the Promised Land; there
was food once again in Bethlehem … God's hand of
judgment had been lifted from his people
• Now if that trajectory from emptiness to fullness was
possible for Naomi's people, perhaps her own future was
not as dark as she imagined it to be …
Ruth Chapter 2
Ruth 2:1-7
[Now Naomi had a relative of her husband's, a worthy man
of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.]
2And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the
field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose
sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”
3So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the
reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field
belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.
4And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to
the reapers, “The LORD be with you!” And they answered, “The
LORD bless you.” 5Then Boaz said to his young man who was in
charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” 6And the
servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, “She is the
young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the
country of Moab. 7She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather
among the sheaves after the reapers.’ So she came, and she
has continued from early morning until now, except for a short
rest.”
Ruth 2:1
“Now Naomi had a relative of her husband's,
a worthy man (gibbor hayil) of the clan of
Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.”
This
verse
a giant
parenthesis in which one of
What
clanisof
islike
Boaz
from?
What
kind
man
is Boaz?
the
major
characters
is introduced.
What
is being
foreshadowed
here?
Why isis introduced
this important?
Who
behind the scenes?
What relation is he to Naomi?
• •ItAs
was
state that
Naomi
had
a relative on her
wenecessary
will see intochapter
3, the
social
responsibilities
of Boaz
husband’s
side of
the family
as a redeemer
(goel)
is determined by his blood relationship
• Makes
clear that blood relationship of Boaz is with Naomi’s
with Elimelech
husband and not with her since Israelite marriage was
endogamous (within a specific ethnic group)
A Worthy Man (Gibbor Hayil)
•
•
•
•


The phrase gibbor hayil is difficult to translate into English
– The word gibbor comes from root meaning “mighty”
and is frequently translated as “warrior”
– The word hayil can mean “strength, power, ability,
capability, wealth,” and its meaning depends on
context
In military setting it refers to warrior, particularly one who
has distinguished himself in armed combat
In other contexts, it can refer to wealth (2 Kings 15:20) or
ability (1 Kings 11:28).
It designates one who possesses social standing and a
good reputation
In this context, it connotes not only wealth and status but
also ability, honor, and capability; it is clearly used here as
a description of character
Thus, “A real, substantial man of character” might capture
the nuance here
Ruth 2:2
“And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me
go to the field and glean among the ears of grain
after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And
she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”
What
practical
matters did Naomi
and
Whatvery
helpRuth’s
and encouragement
Described
emotional statedid
on Ruth
“Day and
1” of
Ruth
need toeach
dealother
with when
they
arrived these
in
Naomi
they
addressed
this
newgive
life in which
sheashas
found
herself?
Bethlehem?
practical concerns?
• While they returned to Bethlehem because they had heard there was
food again,
availabilityqualities
did not automatically
alleviate
Whatitscharacter
are evident in
Ruth’s hunger.
Somebody
had to “bring
theand
bacon.”
interactions
withhome
Naomi
in the way she
• Whatever
the status
Elimelech’s
(to be discussed later in
responds
to theofneeds
of theproperty
moment?
Ruth 4), they did not have a crop to harvest or money to buy food from
someone else. Moreover, Naomi gave no indication that the nearer
kinsman, Boaz, or anyone else was available to help.
Ruth 2:2
“And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me
go to the field and glean among the ears of grain
after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And
she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”
Why do
think
Naomi
stayed
behind
didyou
Naomi
not
tell Ruth
to glean
in when
the
Ruth
went
out to glean?
field of
Boaz?
Several possibilities come to mind:
• Perhaps Naomi did not think Ruth could find her way around town
• Maybe after 10-20 years Naomi did not know where Boaz was or if
he was alive
• Boaz will later mention a nearer kinsman (Ruth 3:12) and Naomi may
have thought that any hope of help resided with him rather than Boaz
• Naomi may have said nothing because no man was legally bound to
marry his relative’s widow, & she did not want to raise any false hopes
Sinking into Despair?
• It is not clear why Naomi did not also go out and glean; she was perhaps in
her fifties at this point in the story and evidenced no obvious crippling
disability that made her unable to go out and work
• Was there nothing she could have done in the field to help in their need?
Two certainly would have been safer than one and might have expected to
bring home at least a little more food
• She has apparently consumed all her energies in worrying: and has none
left to try to do anything that might actually resolve her problems.
• Whether or not despair is what drives Naomi's inaction, it is certainly a
problem in our own experience
• When we stop believing in God’s goodness and give ourselves over to doubt
and worry, we easily sink into a despairing activity -- this can lead to a
downward spiral in which our inactivity makes our situation worse and
deepens our despair, which in turn makes us feel less inclined than ever to
step out into what we believe to be a hostile world.
• The key to breaking that cycle is grasping hold of God's covenant
commitment to do us good. If we can once look to the cross and grasp the
height and depth of the love of God for us in Jesus, then how can we doubt
his desire to give us everything necessary for life and godliness?
• We will still not know what the future holds, yet if we know that the one
who holds the future cares for us, that first step upward on the long road
back to obedience becomes possible again.
Grain Farming in Israel
Harvesting grain involved the following steps:
1. Reaping by cutting the ripened standing grain with hand
sickles, usually done by men
2. Binding the grain into sheaves, usually done by women
3. Gleaning, that is, gathering stalks of grain left behind
4. Transporting the sheaves to the threshing floor, often by
donkey and sometimes by cart
5. Threshing, that is, loosening the grain from the straw,
usually done by treading of cattle, but sometimes by
toothed threshing sledges or the wheels of carts
6. Winnowing, done by tossing the grain into the air with
winnowing forks so that the wind, which usually came up
for a few hours in the afternoon, blew away the straw and
chaff, leaving the grain at the winnower’s feet
7. Sifting the grain to remove the residual foreign matter
8. Bagging for transportation and storage
The Law of Gleaning
• Deuteronomy 24:19-22 institutes the law of gleaning:
“When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a
sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall
be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that
the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of
your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall
not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the
fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes
of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall
be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. You
shall remember that you were a slave in the land of
Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.”
What
reasons
does
GodGod
give
for being
kind to the
For
whose
benefit
did
the
What
did God
command
ininstitute
these
verses?
sojourner,
the fatherless and the widow?
law of gleaning?
What does this reveal about His heart?
How should this motivate us?
The Law of Gleaning
Leviticus 19:9-10 – “When you reap the harvest of
your land, you shall not reap your field right up
to its edge, neither shall you gather the
gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not
strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you
gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You
shall leave them for the poor and for the
sojourner: I am the LORD your God.”
In addition
to
a source
of
food
forgleaning
theof
Although
lawproviding
of gleaning
was
characteristic
Whatthe
additional
provision
to athe
law of
destitute,
what
other
benefits
from us
the21st
law
the
culture
of
ancient
Israel,
whatresulted
can it teach
does this
passage
stipulate?
of gleaning?
century
American Christians? How was the law of
gleaning a kind of “Welfare to Work” program?
Economics as Covenantal Thermometer
• These charitable provisions of the law and the theology
behind them reminded God’s people of their unique
status among the nations of world
• While everyone had to “make a living” and “put food on
the table,” … making a living was not to consume the
attention of God’s people
• One could work to meet your financial commitments and
still not lose sight of ministering to others in God’s name
• God’s provision for His people frees them to look out for
the interests of others and thereby treat others as God
had treated them
 Thus, economics had a missional outlook and
functioned as a covenantal thermometer to
measure the vitality of Israel’s love for God and
Reality of Gleaning
• We tend to have idealized
images of how gleaning
actually worked – we’ve seen
lovely pastoral paintings of
gentle maidens scooping up
armload of golden grain
• In reality, gleaners were often
mistreated and went home
hungry
• A landowner might choose to
keep them out or eject them if
he pleased
• Harvesters could get rough
• Unattached women were
especially at risk and were
victimized
• Then, of course, gleaners
competed with one each other
There’s the Law …then there’s Practice
 The law may have told God’s people how to live, but it
could not coerce godly conduct
Job 24:21 – “They wrong the barren, childless woman, and do no
good to the widow.”
Psalm 94:6 – “They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder
the fatherless
Isaiah 1:23 – “Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do
not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow's cause does
not come to them.”
Malachi 3:5 – “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be
a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers,
against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the
hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against
those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me,
says the LORD of hosts.”
Isaiah 10:2 – “To turn aside the needy from justice and to
rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows
may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless
their prey!”
What dangers did Ruth risk by going out to glean?
How Big is a Corner? How Wide is an Edge?
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?
Area for reapers to harvest grain
Field is white unto harvest …
(remaining green is for gleaners)
Why is with
it easier
live by the
of the
Walking
Godtostretches
ourletter
capacity
for
law
than
by the spirit?
sacrifice and
our
imagination
for obedience!!
Ruth 2:3
“So she set out and went and gleaned in the field
after the reapers, and she happened to come to the
part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the
clan of Elimelech.”
The phrase “she happened to come” literally means
“and her chance (miqreh) chanced (wayyiqer).”
• Ruth
(without
any
intention
to do
so) ends
up
What
fact
does
the
author
repeat
about
Boaz
in this
• As
This
is used
here
as achooses
rhetorical
device,
hyperbolic
Ruth
goes
out
and
from
all
the
fields
of
gleaning
in
the
field
that
belongs
to
Boaz
verse?
Why do you think this fact is repeated?
irony.
Bethlehem,
in whose
field does
“she happen
• Thus God, who
is constantly
working
behindtothe
• come”?
By excessively attributing Ruth’s good fortune to
scenes, is pictured as directing and controlling the
chance, the phrase points ironically to the opposite,
situation through His gracious providence
namely, to the sovereignty of God.
Ruth 2:4-7
4And
behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said
to the reapers, “The LORD be with you!” And they
answered, “The LORD bless you.” 5Then Boaz said to his
young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose
young woman is this?” 6And the servant who was in
charge of the reapers answered, “She is the young
Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the
country of Moab. 7She said, ‘Please let me glean and
gather among the sheaves after the reapers.’ So she came,
and she has continued from early morning until now,
except for a short rest.”
How
has surprising
Ruth alreadything
shown
that
would
make her to
an do?
excellent wife?
What
had
Ruth
requested
•
•
•
•
Whatelse
is the
spiritual
tone of reveal
the greeting
What
does
the foreman
about Boaz
Ruth?gives
How
is
thishe
of greetings
significant when
Humility
–his
gleaning
inexchange
the
fields
was
a menial
task
to
fellow
workers?
What
does
say
about
her
work
ethic?
Who does Boaz notice? What question does he ask
Diligence
– gleaning
was
hard
work,
requiringclimate
much effort
for meager return
you
compare
itsay?
to the
spiritual
of Israel
What
does
he
his– she
young
foreman
about
her?
Courage
gleaned
among
workers
whoJudges?
might physically attack her
during
thehis
time
period ofshout
the
What did
co-workers
back to him in the
Initiative – she didn’t wait for God to miraculously provide food for her & Naomi
same verse?
A Surprising Request
•
Traditionally, we’ve understood Ruth to be asking permission to
glean in Boaz’s field
• But this seems unlikely since the law already permitted gleaners …
asking permission to glean was akin to asking a traffic cop for
permission to walk on the public sidewalk
• 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
• 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
Comparison of Major Characters
NAOMI
& RUTH
• Boaz gets the BOAZ
shock of his life when a first-time
gleaner
– a foreigner
at that
– takes him to a higher level of• obedience
• Powerful
Powerless & vulnerable
• Ruth is pressing Boaz to color outside the lines of his understanding
• Wealth
& Resources
• Poverty
hunger
of God’s
law. The
letter of the law says,
“let them&glean.”
The spirit of
the •lawFull
says, “feed them.” Two entirely
different concepts.
• Empty
• Ruth’s bold proposal exposes the difference … how would Boaz
• Stands on his own
• Derive identity &
respond to this challenge?
significance from men