Ruth Chapter 2:1-23
Memory verses for this week: Ruth 2:10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
Introduction: We continue our study on the book of Ruth this week as we see Boaz coming to Ruth as the Kinsman redeemer. Ruth could have sat at home with Naomi, and they both could have had a pity party. She did not allow herself to become bitter, but she went forth to do what she could.. Bitterness is always the wrong way for God's people to go. Boaz is introduced in this chapter as the kinsman-redeemer, and thus he is a beautiful type of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no blot on his character as some of the other types of Christ, such as Moses, and David. The Hebrew word "Gaal" (go-el) is translated "kinsman" some 13 times in the book of Ruth. The same word is translated redeemer or redemption several times in Ruth. In the following lessons we shall consider the meaning and application of these truths. Boaz means strength or fleetness. We shall see this man as lord of the harvest, master of servants, redeemer, bridegroom, and life-giver. Thus we see him as a fitting type of Christ.
SEEKING REST AND THE KINSMAN—REDEEMER
I. RUTH GLEANING THE GRAIN
Ruth 2:1 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 2:2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
Ruth 2:3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man named Boaz. He was well off and a mighty man of wealth, and Ruth finds grace in the field of Boaz. This was at the beginning of the barley harvest. It may have been in the early spring, perhaps in April.
As a type of Christ, Boaz was a kinsman who could redeem.
Gal. 4:4, But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.
Phil. 2:7-8, And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
As a type of Christ, Boaz was a mighty man. What a contrast from the sickly Mahlon who we read about in chapter 1. We serve a mighty God. Christ, equal with the Father and Holy Ghost, was the one who made all things.
John 1 :1-3, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Rom. 9:5, Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Col. 2:9, For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Heb. 1:3, Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.
As a type of Christ, Boaz was a man of wealth, for redemption is costly.
Psa. 49:8, (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
II Cor. 8:9, For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Ruth came into the field as a gleaner. These were those that came after the harvesters and collected the un-gathered grain. God took care of the people by making it a rule that some of the harvest be set aside for the widows and the poor.
Lev. 23:22, And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.
Deu 24:19 When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.
Deu 24:20 When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
Deu 24:21 When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
Verse 2 says Ruth's faith was centered on him "in whose sight I shall find grace." By providence, "her hap," leads her to the field of Boaz. Many instances are in the bible where providence of God worked and it seemed as 'circumstance.' Joseph in our recent study was sold as a slave, resulted in the salvation of many nations as well as Israel. The capture of a Hebrew maid, led to the cleansing of Naaman the leper.
Ruth 2:4 And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.
Ruth 2:5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?
Boaz as a type of Christ came from Bethlehem. Divine providence led her to the right field, and Boaz bestows grace upon Ruth.
Micah 5:2, But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Luke 2:4-7, And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Boaz as a type of Christ is the Lord of the harvest. As lord of the harvest, he was concerned about just one damsel, and that was Ruth.
Ruth 2:6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:
Ruth 2:7 And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.
Ruth 2:8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:
Ruth 2:9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
The servant is here a type of the Holy Spirit, as was Abraham's servant. He leads her to the lord of the harvest, he gives her rest in the house. As lord of the harvest and a type of Christ, Boaz invites Ruth to abide in his field and behind his reapers. He treated her as a daughter, and did not try to seduce her for sinful purposes. He gave her guidance as Christ will give to us, if we will only listen to Him.
John 15:5, I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
As a type of Christ he offers her protection and water it says in verse 9. When Christ met the woman of Samaria at the well, he offered her a spiritual drink of water that would forever satisfy.
John 4:14, But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Rev. 21:6, And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Because she was a Moabitess some of the young men may not have respected Ruth. But Boaz took care of that, so that she would have the protection and fellowship with believers. How we should depend upon the protection of the Lord.
Psa 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Psa 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Ruth 2:10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
Ruth 2:11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.
Ruth 2:12 The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
Ruth 2:13 Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.
Ruth takes her place in humility at the feet of Boaz, as all sinners should, at the feet of the Lord.
John 3:27, John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Boaz as a type of Christ knows all about her. When we come to God, we are to forsake our sins and repent and turn to Christ for salvation. Always know, that God knows more about you than we know of ourselves. She had forsaken all to follow the God of Israel, and so should we.
Psa 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Ruth had left her father and mother to follow Naomi back to her home land. When we turn to Christ, we should be willing to leave all and follow Jesus.
Mar 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
Mar 10:29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
Mar 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
As a type of Christ, Boaz promises her recompense, reward, and the protection of the Lord.
Psa 36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
He had comforted her and spoken friendly (to her heart). As a Gentile she was unlike the others.
Ruth 2:14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.
Ruth 2:15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:
Ruth 2:16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
As a type of Christ, Boaz offers her the bread (of life). The bread a type of our Lord's body and the vinegar perhaps a type of His blood. She was satisfied.
Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
The world would have said that she was a fool to march out of Moab. There are many others in God's Word who stepped out by faith not knowing what life held for them. Abram marched out of Ur of the Chaldees and became the father of the Hebrew nation, and the father of all the faithful. Rebekah left her father's house and marched out to become the bride of Isaac. Moses marched out of a palace, to become the lawgiver of Israel. Ruth march out of Moab into the lap of luxury, and to become and ancestor of our Lord Jesus Christ
Boaz gave a command to his young men: "Reproach her not." Although she was of the hated Moabite race she was not to be reproached. She was a stranger and an alien, yet grace took her in. She was allowed among the sheaves, this was more than the O.T. law demanded . Not only were they to treat her with respect, but they were to let some of the grain fall behind them for her. This was unmerited grace and favor to Ruth from Boaz.
II. RUTH GLEANING THE GOSPEL OF GRACE
Ruth 2:17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.
Ruth 2:18 And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.
Ruth 2:19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.
After working in the field until even, Ruth showed great success. It says in verse 17 that she had about an ephah of barley which was a ten day supply. Naomi saw it and was surprised and realized what a great blessing she had received. Where hast thou gleaned TODAY? She wants to know where she was able to acquire so much barley. The question was not tomorrow, but today where hast THOU gleaned? Each person must answer on their own to that. Where hast thou GLEANED? What did you spend your day doing yesterday? Was it a fruitful day and did you bless someone? Did you try and reach a lost soul with the gospel? Unless we are close to the Lord and seeking to do His will, the answer is probably no.
Joh 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
Joh 4:36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
Joh 4:37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
Joh 4:38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
Joh 4:39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
Each one of us will give an account of our labor in the Lord's field. Ruth confessed the name of Boaz. It was in Boaz's field where she gleaned so great a harvest. When we are saved, we need to confess to others that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Ruth 2:20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.
Ruth 2:21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.
Ruth 2:22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.
Ruth 2:23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.
In verse 20, Naomi declares the blessing. . "Blessed" is a new word on her lips after all her bitterness.
Psa 103:1 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Psa 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Naomi declares the remembrance. "His kindness to the living and to the dead." She also declares the redeemer. He is a near kinsman to redeem their inheritance and to marry Ruth. Boaz would do for her in a physical way, what Christ would do for us in a spiritual way. Naomi has been bitter because of an empty house, her empty heart, and her empty hands. Now that bitterness is leaving and all because of Boaz. Our Boaz (Christ) can take away all our bitterness.
In verse 21, Boaz advises Ruth to keep in his field. What a lesson for us, oh, that we might stay busy in His harvest until "they have ended all my harvest."
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Ruth did not yet know it, but there is going to be a wedding after the harvest. As members of His church, we are in His field, and praise God there is going to be a wedding after the harvest. Naomi advises her to keep in Boaz's field, and that is good advice for us. Ruth's continued to glean in Boaz's field. The wheat harvest follows the barley harvest.
Boaz has his eye upon Ruth and shows every kindness to this poor but beautiful widow. She is content to glean in his field and to remain under his protection. Already the wisdom and blessing of Ruth 1:16-17, is evident. We can already see grace flowing and love blooming, and we can hardly wait to tell what the end shall be!
Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Ruth 1:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Where do we get the idea of the kinsman-redeemer?
Boaz is identified as a kinsman-redeemer in the book of Ruth. This was lord of the harvest, master of servants, redeemer, bridegroom, and life-giver. Thus we see him as a fitting type of Christ.
2. How is Boaz as the near kinsman a type of Christ?
All of the above.
3. What right did Ruth have to go into the field and glean?
She was the daughter in law of Naomi, and Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man named Boaz. He was well off and a mighty man of wealth, and because of their relationship, she could go in and glean. Scripture also allowed for the poor and widows to glean in the fields.
4. How did she end up in the field of Boaz?
Providence of God.
5. As lord of the harvest, how is Boaz a type of Christ?
Boaz as a type of Christ is the Lord of the harvest. As lord of the harvest, he was concerned about just one damsel, and that was Ruth. The Lord cares for each sinner singly in a similar way.
6. What does he offer Ruth?
As a type of Christ he offers her protection and water it says in verse 9. He tells her that she can continue to glean in his field.
7. What did Boaz already know about Ruth?
That she was the daughter in law of Naomi and she had stood beside her in the trials she faced.
8. Explain why Ruth was among the sheaves, and the handfuls of purpose.
She was directed there, and the young men who were the harvesters were to leave some of the grain behind them for her at the instruction of Boaz.
9. What did Naomi say when she found out that Ruth had been gleaning in the field of Boaz?
Ruth 2:20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.
10. What did Naomi advise Ruth to do?
To stay in the fields of Boaz until the end of the harvest.
Internet Bible Studies are prepared and distributed free of charge. The lessons may not be sold without consent. If you have questions or wish to discuss the lessons, or possibly need help in finding Jesus Christ as your Personal Lord and Savior, contact David Parham at 940-613-3494.
Prov 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Website: http://www.internetbible.net
e-mail: davidparham@internetbible.net
Practice Random Acts of Kindness. Each act spreads, and many will be blessed.
|