Fields Of Grace, Part 2
Ruth 2:1- 23
“And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.” (Ruth 2:1-7)
Naomi and Ruth journey to Bethlehem tired and unsure of what to expect. The pair are weary from travel, but Ruth is ready to serve her mother-in-law come what may. Ruth’s hope rests in the God of Naomi and she has nowhere to look but up.
As providence would have it, Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. Naomi is bitter with grief over the loss of the men in her life. Ruth carries the weight of their misfortune as well but wastes no time on the past. God brought Naomi and Ruth to Bethlehem (the House of Bread and Praise) surely, He will bless them for their obedience.
Ruth seizes the day when she “happens” into the field of Boaz. Not knowing who owns it, she humbly gleans the edges of the field for leftover stalks of grain the reapers left behind for the poor. Boaz arrives on the scene with shouts of blessing to the reapers, “The Lord be with you.” The reapers respond cheerfully, “The Lord bless thee!”
Ruth’s presence does not go unnoticed by Boaz. After greeting the workers, he takes one look at Ruth and inquires of the Forman. “Whose young woman is this?” From that moment Ruth was under the watchful eye of Boaz, who she soon discovers is her near kinsman.
Ruth followed Boaz’s instructions to stay safe by the women throughout the wheat and barley harvest.