Overwhelming Provision - Ruth 2:8-16

“Overwhelming Provision”

By Pastor Rich Paradis

Ruth 2:8-16

 

With the introduction of Boaz behind us, let’s continue by now introducing Ruth to Boaz in a more formal way. Boaz has spoken to his servant in charge of the reapers and has now put the face of Ruth with her name. He has heard of her and what she did in care for her mother-in-law Naomi and we will shortly hear his thoughts on those actions. With all of the players now on the field, let’s continue seeing both the provision of Boaz and the providence of God in this amazing story.

 

I.                   A reminder on timing and the provision of God

a.       Before taking off on the content of Ruth 2, we needed to take a quick look at the last verse of the preceding chapter. Ruth 1:22 spoke of the return of both Naomi and Ruth to the town of Bethlehem. It also notes that the timing of this return is the beginning of the barley harvest. This time of the year would be approximately mid-April until mid-May.

b.      Once we begin looking at the details of chapter 2, it may have appeared that Boaz was quickly becoming the hero of the Naomi / Ruth family. And while he is indeed an important part of the provision for these two hungry women, he is not the hero of the story.

c.       The very time signature, “at the beginning of the barley harvest” is notable. Not only have Naomi and Ruth made the decision to return to Bethlehem not at all knowing that they would be part of the greatest story in the history of man, the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ, but God is also at work here. The women have returned saddened by loss, but preparing to move forward, and God has orchestrated the very timing of that decision to their advantage and to His glory. It would be a long time before replanting and harvest could happen again, much longer than they could wait to eat, but God knew this and brought them to Bethlehem during a time when provision could be made for them in the normal course of life.

d.      Do you believe that God is involved in both the events and the timings of life? Do you believe that God is at work even in the seemingly ordinary things that come our way? The answer that this story is going to yield is absolutely “YES”! God is without question the hero of this story and to see this fact from the beginning of the details will help us to understand the story before us and make a proper application to our own lives.

e.       With that reminder from our last lesson, let’s go on to the details of Boaz and Ruth’s first conversation.

 

 

 

II.                Boaz speaks to Ruth    Ruth 2:8-13

a.       With the information secured as to the identity of this new person in the barley field, Boaz leaves the discussion with his servant in charge of the reapers and now begins a conversation with Ruth. Verse 8 is the beginning of the conversation and he begins with a greeting. An identification of the age difference between Boaz and Ruth opens the conversation as he refers to her as “my daughter”. Of course, she is not his daughter but the very greeting that he offers gives us clue to his initial reaction to her.

b.      A plea and an invitation follow as he instructs her to not feel the need to glean in another field. She may have indeed felt the need to glean as much as she could with the dire circumstances that she and Naomi were under as they were both without a man and without food. He invites her to both stay in this field for her gleaning, but to also to follow his maidservants in the field.

c.       He continues by instructing Ruth on how this new gleaning procedure would work. Verse 9 tells us that she was to keep her eye on the reapers as they made their way through the field. She was to follow them. So the process would look something like this: the men would make the initial pass through the field with their sickles cutting the grain, the maidservants would follow them and begin to gather up and bind the sheaves that had been cut, and Ruth would follow them and glean for both her and Naomi.

d.      But Boaz did not stop there with the instruction. In fact, he would calm her heart with his next statements. In light of the fact that this process was not the “normal” way of gleaning in that there would typically be time between the maidservants passing through and the gleaners coming to the field, Boaz offers the assurance that none of the servants (male or female) would touch her. In fact, the next statement is even more astounding in that he shares that when she is thirsty she can drink from the jars of water for the servants to drink from. This would never have been the case in an ordinary gleaning situation.

e.       With the amazing instructions now considered by Ruth, we now see her reactions in Verse 10. In a fairly typical expression of both gratitude and humility, Ruth bows her face to the ground and asks why she has been chosen to receive such an unusual and kind display of favor and care from Boaz. She gives another hint into her perception as to why Boaz’ care was so hard to believe: she is a foreigner.

f.       Boaz wastes no time explaining why he is extending this type of care toward Ruth and Naomi as Verse 11 opens up. He offers 3 reasons to Ruth from reports of others and after the death of her own husband for his decision to afford care toward the two women:

                                                              i.      He realizes that both Naomi and Ruth have lost their husbands and are now widows.

                                                            ii.      He realizes that Ruth returned with Naomi, leaving her father and her mother.

                                                          iii.      He realizes that Ruth left her homeland and came to a land that she had not previously known or visited.

g.      Boaz continues his explanation with a desired outcome for this woman that had cared for her mother-in-law at such a great price personally. Verse 12 has Boaz blessing Ruth by his desire that God reward:

                                                              i.      Her work with success.

                                                            ii.      Her wages as being plentiful from God.

                                                          iii.      Her continued provision from the God that she now trusts for refuge and care.

h.      Ruth offers her response to this overwhelming care from both Boaz and from God in Verse 13. She offers the realization that she has indeed found favor in both the field of Boaz and the care of God. She also refers to Boaz as “my lord”, which offers a really neat insight into the passage. The term “lord” as used in this verse has no idea of Ruth seeing Boaz as her God, but her offering a recognition that Boaz was someone of greater nobility than herself and as someone that great honor was due. In fact, the very term “my lord” has the implied meaning of “thy servant”! What a wonderful gesture and recognition on Ruth’s part toward this man who had extended such great provision toward her.

i.        As we look into the story and see Boaz as a partial but noteworthy picture of our Lord Jesus Christ, how wonderful and challenging it is to not only think of “my Lord” but “thy servant” as we serve the One who made and continues to make provision for us!

III.             Boaz serves Ruth    Ruth 2:14-16

a.       With an unknown time between the first of the conversation recorded above and the present conversation, Verse 14 again has Boaz addressing the young woman Ruth. This time the setting is not in the field during the work time, but as they break for a meal around lunchtime. Again, look at the care and the provision of Boaz for this young woman that he is deeply interested in. He invites her to come into the meal area and enjoy a meal of bread, vinegar, and roasted grain.

b.      But the story is really interesting and insightful to the one providing for her. Boaz not only invites her to sit for the meal among the reapers, but then he serves her! Both the sitting among the reapers and the serving by Boaz are beautiful representations of both care and provision. Again, we are reminded of our own Provider who not only invites us to His table, but also serves us with such a wonderful meal that it both satisfies us but also provides us with enough to serve others.

c.       When the meal was completed, Ruth did not just sit there. She got up and returned to work. This “other-centeredness” is fast becoming an easy trait to see in Ruth and provides a wonderful example for us.

d.      As the paragraph closes, Verses 15-16 has Boaz again offering instruction to his servants. He says:

                                                              i.      Let her glean even among the sheaves – this area was not available to the gleaner until the maidservants were done with their initial pass through the area.

                                                            ii.      Do not insult / rebuke her – Again, the Law provided the gleaner with a field to work in and be provided for by, but the Law did not command an attitude for those in that field.

                                                          iii.      You shall purposely pull some out, whether before or after binding, for her – Boaz is now going far above both the letter and even the spirit of the Law in providing for her in this way. You can see the deep care and concern that he has for her and her need.

 

IV.             An Application For All Of Us

a.       Kindness toward those in need is something that all Christians should be involved in.

b.      A grateful heart is the appropriate response to provision and care.

c.       God is ultimately the One who is providing even as we involve ourselves in the process.

d.      God’s provision in Jesus Christ is the supreme example of love and care for someone unable to care for themselves.

Ruth Gleans and God Provides - Ruth 2:1-7

“Ruth Gleans and God Provides”

By Pastor Rich Paradis

Ruth 2:1-7

 

As we move on, we not only move to another chapter, but to another location. Chapter 1 had two settings: the town of Bethlehem and the land of Moab. There has been tragedy in the family of Elimelech. A famine has fallen on his family and there has been death and loss. In fact, he and two sons were the casualties, although the direct cause is unknown. It would seem that God had fatally judged or at least forgotten this family. But now; Naomi and one of her daughters-in-law have returned to Bethlehem and the timing is perfect. And the interaction from this new location (the barley field) will prove it. Let’s see the story unfold…

I.                   A word on timing and the provision of God

a.       Before taking off on the content of Ruth 2, we need to take another quick look at the last verse of the preceding chapter. Ruth 1:22 speaks of the return of both Naomi and Ruth to the town of Bethlehem. It also notes that the timing of this return is the beginning of the barley harvest. This time of the year would be approximately mid-April until mid-May.

b.      Once we begin looking at the details of chapter 2, it may appear that Boaz is quickly becoming the hero of the Naomi / Ruth family. And while he is indeed an important part of the provision for these two hungry women, he is not the hero of the story. God is the hero and we will see it in a number of ways as the story unfolds.

c.       The very time signature, “at the beginning of the barley harvest” is notable. Not only have Naomi and Ruth made the decision to return to Bethlehem not at all knowing that they would be part of the greatest story in the history of man, the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ, but God is also at work here. The women have returned saddened by loss, but preparing to move forward, and God has orchestrated the very timing of that decision to their advantage and to His glory. It would be a long time before replanting and harvest could happen again, much longer than they could wait to eat, but God knew this and brought them to Bethlehem during a time when provision could be made for them in the normal course of life.

d.      Do you believe that God is involved in both the events and the timings of life? Do you believe that God is at work even in the seemingly ordinary things that come our way? The answer that this story is going to yield is absolutely “YES”! God is without question the hero of this story and to see this fact from the beginning of the details will help us to understand the story before us and make a proper application to our own lives.

 

II.                Ruth goes looking for food    Ruth 2:1-3

a.       After the time signature in Ruth 1:22 noting the season of Naomi and Ruth’s return, Verse 1 begins with an introduction of Boaz who is about to come on the scene in a powerful way. It is noted at this point that Boaz is:

                                                              i.      “…a kinsman of her husband” – this means that he is someone that Elimelech knows.

                                                            ii.      “…a man of great wealth” – this means that he is a man of both stature and means in the community.

                                                          iii.      “…of the family of Elimelech” - this means that he is a relative of Naomi’s now-deceased husband Elimelech.

b.      After this introduction, Verse 2 begins with a request on the part of Ruth. She asks that Naomi allow her to go out to the fields to search for some food. There are a couple of things that we need to see here. First is the fact that Ruth is referred to as “the Moabitess”. I don’t think that this identification is without purpose. As Ruth goes out to look for food, she will not be going out as a home-town girl. This is not a “home game” for her. She is in a land that is not hers, and she will not likely run into folks that are necessarily glad to see her. This is further confirmed by Ruth’s hope that she would find “one in whose sight she might find favor”. The law said that places needed to be provided on the edges of each field for the poor and the alien to “glean”, or pick up, small amounts of grain (Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 24:19). But the law didn’t say that people had to be happy about it. It also didn’t say that these “gleaners” were to be treated kindly and respectfully. As the poor are often tolerated but not embraced in our times, so the fact was in the time of the Judges. Remember that this time was a time of great immorality and chaos. People were skeptical and easily stirred up. These people’s fields are the ones that Ruth would be going out towards. Secondly, it is at least interesting to the reader that Naomi doesn’t accompany Ruth on this search. Why? Was it because she was bitter still? Was it because she is now too weary and old to do this kind of difficult work? Was it that she was staying home to take care of the domestic chores while Ruth searched for food? We are left with no details as to her absence in the search for food, especially in such dire circumstances. All that we hear from Naomi at this point is, “Go, my daughter”.

c.       The scene now moves from the home of Naomi and Ruth to the fields that surround the town of Bethlehem. Ruth goes out to these fields and begins to pick up what’s left after the reapers make their way through the initial harvesting of the field. Verse 3 continues with an incredible statement. The text says that she “happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech”. REALLY? She just “happened” to make her way to this field? With all of the available fields in the area? With them all full of harvest during this season of the year? Sometimes we have to consider that even though we don’t know all of the workings of the providence and the provision of God, that to doubt it is to “believe” in something that is at least as against the odds as the case for faith in Him and His providence and provision.

 

III.             Ruth finds something she never expected    Ruth 2:4-7

a.       As the story unfolds, we are now introduced to Boaz. He comes on the scene after being in Bethlehem as Verse 4 opens. We do not have to wait long to find out something beyond the basic biographical information provided in Verse 1. We find out something about Boaz’ character. The conversation that begins here has Boaz displaying both kindness and respect for those that work for him. He is also clearly someone that loves God. He shares a blessing with his workers that includes both the Lord’s presence and His provision. This is not a “one-time” compliment as we hear the workers return the blessing to him.

b.      It doesn’t take long for Boaz to note that there is someone new in the field today. He immediately asks his servant in charge of the workers who this young woman is. Verse 5 also offers a clue to more of the situation at hand. Remember that Boaz is both someone that Elimelech knew and was related to. He is probably older than Ruth, which is further confirmed by the question as to whose “young woman” is this? Without rushing to a “love at first sight” scenario, we must first deal with the fact that Boaz is a kind and godly man who notes that this young woman is in need and is in his field.

c.       The servant in charge of the workers begins Verses 6-7 with some descriptive remarks about this  young woman in the field of Boaz:

                                                              i.      She is a Moabite woman – Remember the ongoing bad blood and restriction by God against this group of people.

                                                            ii.      She is the one who returned with Naomi – This now answers the question as to why she is now in Bethlehem.

                                                          iii.      She asked permission to glean the field – She is a person in need.

                                                          iv.      She is a hard worker and full of character – In addition to her request, upon receiving permission she went to work and has been there all day until she returned to the work-provided structure for the last little while.

 

IV.             An Application For All Of Us

a.       Don’t hurry ahead!! There are lots of details that will make up this story of love and provision.

b.      God is at work in both the decisions and the timings around us.

c.       The provision of God can and does come in both ordinary and extraordinary ways.

Return to Bethlehem, Ruth 1:6-22

“Return to Bethlehem”

By Pastor Rich Paradis

Ruth 1:6-22

 

With the disastrous events in Moab recently in the rear view mirror, there are decisions that need to be made. Should these newly-widowed women stay in Moab and try to make a go of it? Should they go somewhere and get a fresh start? Should they return to Bethlehem? There is often a multitude of decisions that must be made right on the heels of loss and in the midst of grief, and that’s where these women find themselves. Let’s see what decisions they make and why they make them as we move forward in the story.

 

I.                   The Decisions Made By Naomi    Ruth 1:6-9, 11-13, 15, 18, 20-21

a.       In light of the recent death of both Naomi’s husband and her two sons, they have an important decision that must be made. That decision is where these women will live the rest of their lives. It would appear that there are few choices for Naomi to make as far as what to do going forward. She is not going to be able to stay in the land of Moab. The choice of Elimelech to come here in the first place was full of potential issues, but with his death and the death of his sons staying was out of the question.

b.      The current paragraph that begins with Verse 6 gives us the answer to where she is going to go from here. Naomi is going to return to Bethlehem. Apparently, both Orpah and Ruth did not question their own duties to accompany their mother-in-law, though it meant that they were leaving their own homeland, extended families, etc.

c.       But why is Naomi leaving Moab and heading back to Bethlehem? There seems to be only one reason given at this point: it is because of the fact that Lord has ended the famine in the land back home. How she has heard in the land of Moab that the Lord has evidently “visited” His people and cured the famine is unknown, but this is the news. And for the very same reason that Elimelech moved his family to Moab (food and physical well-being), we now see Naomi returning to Bethlehem.

d.      Very quickly into Verse 7 we have the beginnings of the journey of 50 miles, we have the travelers (Naomi, Orpah and Ruth), and we have their desired destination (Bethlehem of Judah).

e.       The first recorded conversation of the journey begins in Verses 8-9. There is a lot of speculation for the reasons behind the conversation that begins here. There is clearly an affection that Naomi has for her two daughters-in-law that is demonstrated. This is clear from the fact that Naomi desires both the kindness of the Lord and the comfort of their mothers for each of the young women. But here are a few thoughts that are worth noting here that would possibly indicate some of Naomi’s thoughts at this point:

                                                              i.      The fact of the matter was that the land of Moab was full of idol and pagan worship. If Naomi really loved these young women, why didn’t she insist on them returning to a place where there was a much greater chance for the blessings of God than where she insists that they return?

1.      Is it the difficulty of the journey and the fact that she is reminded of her own trek into a foreign land and its difficulties?

2.      Is it the fact that they were young and there would be little if no chance of a man marrying a Moabite woman in and around Bethlehem?

3.      Is it her own pride in that returning to Bethlehem with two Moabite women would be proof positive of the marriages of her two sons in violation of God’s prohibition against it?

4.      Is it that she is mad at God for visiting all of this on her and her heart condition drives her words?

f.       Whatever is going on, we have Naomi continuing her insistence that they return home even after kisses, tears, and their initial refusal. Verse 11-13 offers a very strange, but logical, conversation that will conclude with an important insight into Naomi’s thoughts at this point.

g.      Naomi shares some interesting reasons for the two women’s return to their home in Moab. The very tone of these comments offers insight into Naomi’s heart condition at this point:

                                                              i.      She asks them if they think she is pregnant and that these twins will be the replacement husbands for Orpah and Ruth.

                                                            ii.      She tells them that she is too old to have a husband.

                                                          iii.      She tells them that even if she did have hope and a husband and were to become pregnant tonight with twins it would too long for them to wait, unmarried, for these sons to become their husbands.

                                                          iv.      She tells them that even with the difficulty before them, their situations are better off than her own in that the Lord is against her.

h.      After more tears and kisses, and a decision by Orpah to return Naomi continues in Verse 15 to try and persuade Ruth of the best decision on her part.

i.        As we move forward, Verse 18 reports that Ruth is not going to return to her people which causes Naomi to eventually give up trying to convince her. Whether it is the curse of death that Ruth pronounces on herself if it doesn’t happen this way, or just the determined commitment that Ruth displays, we don’t know.

j.        Finally, we have in Verses 20-21 Naomi offering to the women of Bethlehem her feelings on all that has occurred and the reasons for those events. God, the Almighty, has it in for her! He has visited trouble on her. She has no right to continue being called by her given name Naomi, which means “pleasant”. She is not pleasant, she is BITTER! Why?  Because she left Bethlehem with her husband and two sons full (interesting in that a famine was going on and they were hungry) and now the Lord has returned her empty! The Lord has afflicted her and even witnessed against her in the heavens. She is miserable and bitter. Her name Naomi is nothing to her but a reminder of her previous life. What is going on now hardly deserves a name like “pleasant”, does it?

k.      So what are some of the decisions being made by Naomi at this point in the story?

                                                              i.      She is going to return to Bethlehem.

                                                            ii.      She is encouraging her two daughters-in-law to return to Moab.

                                                          iii.      She is convinced that God is against her.

                                                          iv.      She is wallowing in the events that have occurred in her life recently.

 

II.                The Decisions Made By Orpah and Naomi    Ruth 1:10, 14, 16-17

a.       After the initial conversation from Naomi about the two young women returning to their homeland of Moab, Verse 10 gives us the account of the women’s first decision. That decision was that they would not return to Moab, but stay and accompany Naomi in her return to Bethlehem.

b.      After more “reasoning” from Naomi, we have a split decision from the young women. We have Chilion’s wife, Orpah, deciding that for whatever reason Naomi is insisting on her return to Moab that it is probably the best idea available at the moment. Verse 14 offers nothing more than the decision itself and the sign of that decision; a kiss for Naomi. Verse 4 and 14 offer the only mention of Orpah in the entirety of Scripture.

c.       But as Verse 14 continues to unfold, we have the decision of Mahlon’s wife also recorded. Ruth decides that she will stay with Naomi. What follows in Verses 16-17 is one of the most beautiful confessions of faith and loyalty that is contained in all of the Bible. Ruth’s life and her priorities are going to be shared here. How a woman in a pagan land could have been influenced to this kind of confession and faith is interesting to consider. Most assuredly at a better time, Naomi herself had an effect on her in regard to faith and following. Note the things that Ruth says to her mother-in-law, concluding with a curse on herself if it doesn’t happen this way:

                                                              i.      “Where you go, I will go” – Even if it is to a land that she has never been nor does it hold the horizontal benefits of home.

                                                            ii.      “Where you lodge, I will lodge” – Not only will she go with Naomi, she will also stay with her.

                                                          iii.      “Your people, my people” – Even though she had never met them.

                                                          iv.      “Your God, my God” – A confession of her own faith that had once been demonstrated in the life of Naomi.

                                                            v.      “Where you die, I will die and be buried” – This decision is for the rest of her life.

d.      So what are the decisions that Orpah and Ruth have made thus far in the story?

                                                              i.      They begin with a commitment to follow Naomi to Bethlehem.

                                                            ii.      Orpah decides to return home.

                                                          iii.      Ruth decides to continue on to Bethlehem, demonstrating both faith in Naomi and in God.

 

 

III.             A Time Mark To Assist Us    Ruth 1:22

a.       After a brief summary of the events of the journey and return to Bethlehem, we are told that they returned at the beginning of barley season. This will give us a pathway into chapter 2. We will move our attentions from the country of Moab to the fields around Bethlehem, the town where Ruth and Naomi now reside. But there is another person of note that resides in “the house of bread”. His name is Boaz.

 

IV.             An Application For All Of Us

a.       The choices that we make in this world have consequences.

b.      We misunderstand God’s plan when we interpret God’s love for us by our circumstances.

c.       When we demand resolution of all problems in our way, we forget that this world is not the arena for final justice.

d.      Even when we feel abandoned by God, His attention is never off of us.

e.       Remember:

                                                              i.      God has been faithful in the past; He will supply your needs in the present and into the future.

                                                            ii.      Allow others to minister to you when you are hurting.

                                                          iii.      Do the right thing even when it hurts.

                                                          iv.      Trust the Lord with your difficulties and problems.