Ruth 2:4-16
4 Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, “May the Lord be with you.” And they said to him, “May the Lord bless you.”
5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”
6 And the servant in charge of the reapers replied, “She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab.
7 And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came and has remained from the morning until now; she has been sitting in the house for a little while.”
8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field; furthermore, do not go on from this one, but join my young women here.
9 Keep your eyes on the field which they reap, and go after them. Indeed, I have ordered the servants not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the servants draw.”
10 Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”
11 Boaz replied to her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know.
12 May the Lord reward your work, and may your wages be full from 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 sight, my lord, for you have comforted me and indeed have spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not like one of your female servants.”
14 And at mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here, that you may eat of the bread and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.” So she sat beside the reapers; and he served her roasted grain, and she ate and was satisfied and had some left.
15 When she got up to glean, Boaz commanded his servants, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not insult her.
16 Also you are to purposely slip out for her some grain from the bundles and leave it so that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.”
Encounter with Boaz
Boaz, as the master
Those in positions of authority must carefully consider how to treat their subordinates. Treating people like objects not only displeases God but also results in reaping consequences for oneself. Conversely, when dealing with subordinates with the fear of the Lord and love, one shall receive blessings from the Lord. (1) Let’s pay attention to the conversation between Boaz and his servants. Boaz said to the servants, “May the Lord be with you,” and they responded, “May the Lord bless you.” This is not a typical greeting between a master and the reapers in a harvest field. What a fortunate relationship it is. Boaz worships God, and the servants admire Boaz for that. (2) Boaz noticed the diligent woman gleaning in the fields and asked his overseer, “Whose young woman is this?” As a result, he learned that she was Ruth, the Moabite woman who had returned with Naomi from the fields of Moab. Boaz was deeply moved by her dedication and instructed his servants to treat Ruth with kindness. Boaz didn’t discriminate against people based on their status or race.
Boaz is a type of Christ
Let’s read this passage, putting yourself in Ruth’s position. You might see that Boaz appears to foreshadow the likeness of Christ. (1) Boaz said to Ruth, “May the Lord reward your work, and may your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” As Christians, we are those who have found refuge under the wings of the God of Israel through Jesus Christ. (2) Boaz invited Ruth to dip her piece of bread in the vinegar. He also provides her with roasted grain. These acts remind us of the Last Supper of Christ. Ruth responds to Boaz’s kindness by gratefully accepting it. Her pure and obedient nature shines through here. Those who receive the love and grace that Christ offers, much like a child, shall be saved. “But Jesus called for the children, saying, ‘Allow the children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'” (Luke 18:16).
Today's prayer
O God of Israel, through the Lord Jesus, I have found refuge under Your wings. Please protect me today under Your wings. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.