Study of Ruth 2:17-23

So Ruth gathered grain in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah. She picked up the grain and went into the town, where her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. Ruth also brought out what she had saved from her meal and gave it to Naomi.

Her mother-in-law asked her, “Where did you glean today, and where did you work? Blessed be the man who noticed you!”

So Ruth told her mother-in-law about the man with whom she had worked. “The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz,” she said.

Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, who has not withdrawn His kindness from the living or the dead.” Naomi continued, “The man is a close relative; he is one of our kinsman-redeemers.”

Then Ruth the Moabitess said, “He also told me, ‘Stay with my young men until they have finished gathering all my harvest.’”

So Naomi said to her daughter-in-law Ruth, “My daughter, it is good for you to work with his servant girls, so that nothing will happen to you in another field.”

So Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.
— Ruth 2:17-23


This passage reveals the fruit of Ruth’s hard work and Boaz’s generosity. Ruth gathers a significant amount of grain and thoughtfully brings her leftovers from the meal to Naomi, showing her care and selflessness. Naomi, in turn, recognizes Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer, someone with a potential role in restoring their family’s fortunes.

Naomi’s words reflect a shift in her perspective. Where she previously expressed bitterness, she now begins to see signs of God’s kindness and provision. Boaz’s actions serve as a tangible reminder that God is working through others to meet their needs.

In our present-day lives, this passage reminds us of the importance of diligence, gratitude, and recognizing God’s provision in unexpected ways. It also highlights the beauty of caring relationships, where people look out for one another’s well-being.


Questions

1. Ruth worked diligently and shared her blessings with Naomi. How can we cultivate a spirit of hard work and generosity in our own lives?

2. Naomi began to see God’s kindness through Boaz’s actions. How have you seen God’s provision through the kindness of others?

3. Boaz was a kinsman-redeemer, representing God’s restoration. How does this concept point us to Jesus as our ultimate Redeemer?


Prayer

Loving Father,

Through Ruth’s diligence and Boaz’s kindness, we see Your hand of provision and care. Teach us to work faithfully and to share the blessings You give us with others. Help us to recognize the ways You provide for us, often through the kindness and generosity of others. Thank You for being our ultimate Redeemer, restoring what is broken and bringing hope to our lives.

I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

-

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