Ruth 2:1 - Meaning and Application

Naomi had now settled in Bethlehem among her old friends, and here we are told about her rich relative, Boaz, a man of great wealth (Ruth 2:1). The Chaldee version says he was also mighty in the law. If he was both wealthy and well taught in Scripture, that was a rare and excellent combination. Such people are truly strong. He was the grandson of Nahshon, prince of the tribe of Judah in the wilderness, and the son of Salmon, likely a younger son by Rahab, the woman from Jericho. His name, Boaz, means strength, and he belonged to the family of Elimelech, a family that had now fallen very low.

Notice two things here. Boaz, though rich and important, had poor relatives. Not every branch on a family tree reaches the top. Those who are high in the world should not be ashamed to claim poor or lowly relatives, or they may show pride, contempt, and a lack of natural affection. Naomi, though a poor and despised widow, had rich relatives. Yet she did not boast about them, burden them, or expect anything from them when she returned to Bethlehem in distress. If we have rich relatives while we are poor, we should remember that God’s wise providence made the difference, and we should accept that. To take pride in such connections is a great sin, and to trust in them is great foolishness.

Here also is her poor daughter-in-law, Ruth. Her condition was very low and hard, and this was a serious test for the faith and steadiness of a young convert. The people of Bethlehem would have done well to invite Naomi and Ruth first to one good home and then another. That would have been a great help to an elderly widow and a great encouragement to a new believer. Instead, they had no way to get food except by gleaning grain. Otherwise, as far as we can tell, they might have starved. God has chosen the poor of this world, and they are often left poor, because even when God chooses them, people commonly overlook them.

Her character, though, was very good (Ruth 1:2). She did not say, “Let me go back to Moab, where there is enough food.” She was not longing for the country she had left. She had decided that the God of Israel would be her God, and, even if he killed her, she would trust him and never leave him. Her request was, “Let me go to the field and glean heads of grain.” Those who are well born and well raised do not know how low they may be brought, or what humble work they may need to do to earn bread (Lamentations 4:5).

Ruth is a fine example of humility. When providence made her poor, she did not say that gleaning was like begging and therefore shameful. She gladly accepted the low place her circumstances gave her. Proud people can starve more easily than they can bow low, but Ruth was not like that. She does not even speak as though she expects a right to glean. She says, “Let me glean after him in whose sight I may find favor.” She does not demand the liberty to do it. She humbly hopes someone will allow it. Poor people should not claim kindness as if it were owed to them. They should ask modestly and receive it as a favor, even in very small matters.

She is also an example of industry. She does not ask Naomi if she may go visit the town ladies, stroll in the fields, or pass the time in idleness. Her mind is set on useful work: “Let me go and glean heads of grain,” something that may truly help. She was one of those good women who do not love the bread of idleness, but love to work. Young people should learn this early. They should work hard, and whatever their hand finds to do, do it with all their strength. A habit of diligence is a good sign for both this life and the life to come. Do not love sleep, wasting time, or drifting about. Love useful work. This is also an example to poor people. They should work for what they need and not beg for what they can earn. We should not shrink from any honest work, even if it is lowly, because no labor is a disgrace. Sin is beneath us, but we should not think any other task is beneath us if providence calls us to it.

Ruth also shows respect for her mother-in-law. Though Naomi was only her mother-in-law, and though death had ended Ruth’s duty to her husband, Ruth did not assume that meant she was free from duty to her husband’s mother. She would not go out without telling Naomi and asking permission. Young people should show this same respect to parents and those in authority. It is part of the honor they owe them. She did not say, “If you go with me, I will go glean.” Instead, she said, in effect, “You stay home and rest, and I will go out and work.” Youth should labor. Young people may take advice from older people, but they should not put them to hard work.

Ruth also shows trust in providence, which is suggested in her words, “Let me glean after him in whose sight I may find favor.” She did not know where to go or whom to ask, but she trusted God to lead her to someone kind. We should keep good thoughts about divine providence and believe that, when we do what is right, God will work for us. That is what happened to Ruth. When she went out alone, without a guide or companion, to glean, she happened to come to the field of Boaz (Ruth 2:3). To Ruth, it seemed accidental. She did not know whose field it was, and she had no special reason to choose that one over another, so it is said to have been her chance. But providence guided her steps there. God wisely orders even small events, and what seems completely random to us serves his glory and the good of his people. Many great things come from a small turn that looks accidental to us, but was planned by God.