Bible Study

Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz. Boaz is introduced; Ruth asks to glean where she may find favor.

She went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family…. She happened to come to Boaz’s field—chance language for providence.

Behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “May the LORD be with you.” They answered him, “May the LORD bless you.”. Boaz and reapers exchange LORD-centered greetings—faith in the workplace.

Then Boaz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, “Whose young lady is this?”. Boaz asks whose young lady this is—attention that notices the vulnerable.

The servant who was set over the reapers answered, “It is the Moabite lady who came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab. The overseer identifies the Moabitess and reports her humble diligence from morning.

Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Boaz invites Ruth to stay, follow his maidens, drink drawn water, and be untouched.

Then she fell on her face and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take knowledge of me,…. Ruth bows: Why favor for a foreigner?

Boaz answered her, “I have been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father,…. Boaz recounts Ruth’s loyalty—leaving parents and land for Naomi’s people.

Boaz blesses Ruth: may the LORD repay your work and give full reward—from the God of Israel under whose wings you have come to take refuge.

Then she said, “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, because you have comforted me, and because you have spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not…. Ruth receives comfort and kind speech though not as one of his servants.

At meal time Boaz said to her, “Come here, and eat some bread, and dip your morsel in the vinegar.” She sat beside the reapers, and they passed her parched…. Meal invitation—bread, vinegar dip, parched grain; Ruth eats, is satisfied, and has leftover.

When she had risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and don’t reproach her. Boaz orders gleaning among sheaves and intentional leaving from bundles—without rebuke.

So she gleaned in the field until evening; and she beat out that which she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. An ephah beaten out; Ruth brings gleanings and leftovers to Naomi.

Her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today?. Naomi asks where; blesses the noticer; Ruth names Boaz.

Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not abandoned his kindness to the living and to the dead.” Naomi said to her,…. Blessed be he—hesed to living and dead; he is a near kinsman.

Ruth the Moabitess said, “Yes, he said to me, ‘You shall stay close to my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’ ”. Ruth reports Boaz’s invitation to stay close through the harvest.

Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his maidens, and that they not harm you in any other field.” So she…. Naomi affirms staying with Boaz’s maidens; Ruth gleans through barley and wheat; lives with Naomi.