Ruth 2: Generous Provision
Written by Author and Speaker, Dave Hopwood http://www.davehopwood.com/
In chapter two of Ruth we find that good things just seem to start happening. Ruth goes gleaning in a field which ‘just happens’ to belong to a close relative of Naomi, who ‘just happens’ to be a good man. Boaz turns out to be generous in heart - and hand. He’s protective towards Ruth. He provides for her.
Boaz allows Ruth to glean in his fields; that is collect the leftover bits of grain at the edges of the field. We find this generous provision in Leviticus chapter 9 verses 9-10. The people are told not gather the leftover fruit or grain, but to leave it for the poor and the foreigners. Boaz also tells his men to not molest her and keep her safe. He provides water to drink while working in the hot sun invites her to eat with him and the other workers.
When Ruth goes home she’s gathered a lot more than she might have expected - something like 18 litres of barley. The biblical law of gleaning was just one of many OT laws (Dt 15:2-8; 12-15; 24:6-15) that provided for and protected the poor.
We can think about today’s foodbanks. They’re one simple way we can all be practical and generous and share with those in need. Not the only way. There is a whole lot more society can do. But one way. Most supermarkets have boxes so we can donate something.
Blessing Others
Lots of people get blessed in this passage. Boaz blesses his workers and they bless him. He also blesses Ruth with his kindness towards her. When Naomi hears of what has happened she blesses Boaz. A story which began with loss is becoming a story of blessing. And now we see that Naomi is changing.
Through the generous heart of Ruth and the generous hand of Boaz, Naomi is emerging from her feelings of bitterness. That’s what the blessing of generosity does.
Blessing others can be done in lots of ways. With a smile, saying hello, helping other people practically, show an interest in them. I have often noticed the change in another person when I offer a smile or a hello or a compliment. They respond and there is a moment of uplift between us. The blessings we see in this story also remind us of the way God has helped us though Jesus.
We were lost and empty and God has generously given us the gift of a full and fresh beginning with his son.
People of Warmth and Kindness
When Ruth asks why Boaz is helping her, he tells her he has heard about her kindness. Folks have no doubt been gossiping about the way she has been helping her mother-in-law. Her goodness has been noticed and maybe inspired other people.
It’s like throwing a pebble into a pond. When you do that, you’ll see the ripples travel outwards. We all have opportunities to show kindness to others. We never know who’s watching us when we do that. We never know how far good news will travel.
Ruth 2:8-12
So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”
At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”
Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
Reflect
Had you heard about gleaning before? Can you think of ways this takes place today?
Have you ever heard someone talk about another person’s kindness? How did that make you feel?
Have you ever seen generosity change a person, like it changes Naomi?