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Ruth 2:15-16
Ruth 2:14 And at mealtime In Strength (Boaz) said to her, “Come here, and eat from the [worker’s] bread and dip your portion in the vinegar.” So she sat down beside the workers; and he passed her roasted grain. Then she ate and was satisfied and even had some left.
15 When she rose to glean,
In Strength (Boaz) commanded his servants, saying,
“Let her glean even among the sheaves,
and do not insult her.
16 “And also you shall purposely pull out some grain for her from the bundles and leave it that she may glean it,
and do not rebuke her.”
Introduction
Our text this morning continues our study of the book of Ruth.
Notice then the story thus far: Boaz has placed Ruth under his direct protection and has allowed her the unheard of privilege of gleaning right next to his workers as they cut and bundle the grain.
The result is that Ruth is absolutely baffled by Boaz’s kindness. She can’t understand why this landowner, who she has never met before, has shown her such extraordinary favor; especially since she is a foreigner?
However, Boaz knows all about Ruth’s devotion and dedication to Naomi. Not only that, he also knows all about Ruth’s conversion. Simply put, Ruth is no longer a foreigner. Instead, she is a child of God. As such, it is YHWH’s acceptance of Ruth that is the basis for Boaz’s acceptance and kindness.
In our text this morning we continue to see just what YHWH’s acceptance looks like and means.
Verse 14 (Review)
Notice at once the picture of acceptance that begins to emerge: Not only has Boaz given Ruth protection and the unheard of privilege of gleaning right beside his workers, at mealtime Boaz personally and publically goes and gets Ruth and sits her with his workers. Importance: If YHWH’s acceptance of Ruth is the basis of Boaz’s acceptance; then Boaz’s public demonstration of acceptance in front of all his workers sets the norm and his expectation of their acceptance of her as well. However, that’s not all: Boaz not only sits Ruth with his workers, he also gives her a share in the food that he has provided exclusively for them. In fact, such is Boaz’s provision that Ruth is filled and even has a good amount left over (spoiler alert: you are going to want to watch these leftovers because you will see them again. And just as this to-go box shows us Boaz’s heart, it is going to show us Ruth’s heart as well). Notice the result: Boaz’s actions don’t simply match his words, they exceed them. Boaz’s kindness has surpassed even the lavishness of what he promised. Importance: remember YHWH is the strength of In Strength. Therefore, as we watch Boaz’ actions, we are seeing a picture of just what YHWH’s acceptance means. Notice then the message in the meal: the acceptance and promises of God are never less than what is presented. Instead, they are always more than we could ever dream or expect.
Verse 15
Notice at once the scene: verse 15 tells us that when the meal was over, Ruth rose to go glean. However, please note: Boaz does not address his workers after Ruth has left. Ruth would not have gone to glean until the workers were back in the field. First, there would be nothing to glean until the workers had reaped over an area. Second, Ruth was told to stay with Boaz’s bundling girls. In other words, as the works rise to return to the field, Ruth stands up to go with them. It is at that point that Boaz addresses the entire group. Why? What Boaz has to say is something that both Ruth and his workers need to hear. In other words, Ruth, no less than the workers, needs to be clear on the permissions and privileges that Boaz is about to add to her. Otherwise, Ruth would never dream of doing what she is about to be granted. In turn, without Boaz’s express command, the workers would never stand for the utter nonsense that is about to be sanctioned. Importance: verses 15 and 16 continue to further unfold just what YHWH’s acceptance means for His children (ordinary folks like you, me, and Ruth).
Next, notice the nature of what Boaz says: As his workers stand to return to the field, Boaz does not give them a pep talk, nor does he remind them of some procedural detail, nor does he even give them a friendly blessing for their labor as he did back in 2:4. Instead, Boaz issues a command in the hearing of all. That is, Boaz sets the policy by which they will all abide while on his land and in his field. In turn, to disregard Boaz’s clear and public instruction, will mean consequences for the violator. Simply put, the what, when, and how of Boaz’s words indicate that Boaz is dead serious about his instruction. Not only that, notice who Boaz specifically addresses: the word used her for “servants” is a masculine plural. In other words, Boaz is talking specifically to his young, marriage aged male servants. However, while Boaz may have directed his instruction especially to them (just as he did earlier in regards to not molesting Ruth- 2:9), Boaz does so in the hearing of everyone. In other words, this instruction is intended for the whole group (Ruth included. She too needs clear assurance about what is being granted to her). That said, Boaz’s instruction is directed specifically to the males. Why? They are the enforcers in the field. Thus, the male workers are themselves to follow what Boaz says and at the same time they are not to tolerate anyone who does not comply.
Next, notice what Boaz commands: Boaz tells his workers not only to let Ruth accompany them (thereby allowing her to glean in the first and best place). He now adds that they are to let her glean from the newly cut heads of grain as the bundling girls are busy bundling another pile. In other words, Boaz has added to the already unheard of privilege of standing with the worker while she gleans, the extraordinary privilege of actually gleaning from the piles (not that are left or missed but) that are yet to be bundled. Again, Boaz’s actions not only match his words, they exceed them. Finally, Boaz warns his staff not to insult Ruth. Importance: remember, Boaz has already told his workers not to touch/harm her (2:9). However, during lunch, when Boaz sits Ruth with his own staff, he hears the whispers and sees the looks of indignation on the workers’ faces. To make matters worse, Boaz has just given Ruth even greater and more unheard of privileges (which might well cause even more resentment among the workers). Therefore, as they are getting ready to go back to the field, Boaz strengthens his instructions to them. He tells them not only not to touch her, he also adds that they are not to harass or insult her for doing what Boaz has allowed. Notice then the picture of acceptance: YHWH’s acceptance of Ruth means that she is not only placed with His native people, she is to be treated/viewed as such. In other words, no one is to resent a daughter for being treated as a daughter. It is her right by (new) birth. Simply put: YHWH’s acceptance means the security of His comprehensive acceptance FN#1.
Verse 16
Notice at once the comical scene with which verse 16 opens: as Boaz addressed his workers a stunned silence fell over the entire group. Ruth is speechless. She feels the blood rushing to her face in a deep blush. She knows that every eye is staring at her. Meanwhile, every worker stands dumbfounded with mouths agape. Boaz has just given this foreign chick first shot at all the grain. And while all of this is still rattling around everyone’s brain, Boaz says, “And furthermore”. Notice then Boaz tells his workers that they are purposefully to pull out some of the grain from their bundles and leave it for Ruth to glean. Now normally the bundlers are supposed to be careful to drop as little grain as possible. But Boaz has just told his workers to deliberately pull some grain out of each bundle and throw it on the ground (which by OT law makes it the right of a gleaner FN#2). In other words, Boaz’s already lavish provision has just gone to the level of ridiculous. This can only mean one thing. Boaz has lost his mind. Remember, the whole town knows that Ruth is an impoverished Moabite. And yet what Boaz is doing is unheard of even for a native gleaner FN#3. Notice the result: notice the consistency of Boaz’s heart: Boaz has made sure that just as Ruth was amply provided for at lunch, so she and Naomi will also be amply provided for with a supply of grain. Simply put, Boaz is providing more than just a gesture of kindness. He is providing down right deliverance. Finally, for a second time in the account Boaz tells his workers not to rebuke Ruth for doing what he has commanded. He sees the incredulity on their faces and will have none of it. Instead, his acceptance of Ruth is to be their own as well.
Bottom line: as our passage ends, we watch the baffled workers return to the field shaking their heads and muttering. Ruth too is no less perplexed. However, as we watch them go, it is vital to remember that YHWH is the strength of In Strength. Therefore, as we observe YHWH’s instrument (Boaz), we are seeing YHWH’s acceptance in action. And such is the heart of YHWH, that His acceptance/deliverance/provisions are always more than we could ever expect or dream.
Footnotes
1] No one is only partially or begrudgingly accepted By YHWH. Instead, YHWH fully and completely embraces each one of His children. Notice then, Ruth who still sees herself as a foreigner is learning what YHWH’s acceptance means. In the same way, this is a lesson that each Christian today comes to learn. The Christian walk is not about earning or keeping God’s favor. Instead, salvation has but one single motive: God’s love. Thus the Christian walk is not about uncertainty or fear. Instead, it begins with the certainty of God’s lavish love (a love that we can never earn, repay, or live up to). As such, as we come to see the same assurance that Ruth is learning, we discover that the motive for our walk is to reflect God’s love. That is, our motive is not fear. Instead, it is motivated by a desire to love, follow, and grow closer to the one who first loved us (John 14:15). Thus, what we see being plaid out in terms of grain and gleaning, is the same assurance of God’s love and acceptance that each one of us comes to learn.
2] Deuteronomy 24:19 “When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands (also Lev 19:9-10; 23:22).
3] Notice: Boaz has taken all the uncertainty and danger out of Ruth’s gleaning. Thus, instead of waiting for what might be dropped and then racing the other gleaners for it, Boaz has placed Ruth with his workers where no other gleaners are allowed to be and then instructed his worker purposefully drop grain just for Ruth.