A HUMBLE GLEANER FINDS FAVOR

18. In gleaning, what will Ruth be doing, and “by chance” on whose field does she light?

¹⁸ Naomi and Ruth have come to Bethlehem ‘at the commencement of the barley harvest,’ in early spring. (Ruth 1:22) Being industrious and willing to serve, Ruth, with Naomi’s permission, goes off and begins gleaning behind harvesters in the grainfields. She knows that gleaning is Jehovah’s loving provision for the poor and afflicted, the alien resident, the fatherless boy and the widow. In Israel these are permitted to gather or glean any portion of a crop that harvesters inadvertently or intentionally leave behind. (Lev. 19:9, 10; Deut. 24:19-21) Although Ruth has the right to glean, she humbly requests and is granted permission to do so in a certain field. But evidently Jehovah’s hand is in the matter as “by chance” she lights “on the tract of the field belonging to Boaz.”​—Ruth 2:3.

19, 20. (a) Who is Boaz? (b) Why can it be said that Ruth is no pampered woman?

¹⁹ Look! Boaz approaches. He is “a man mighty in wealth,” and is the son of Salmon and Rahab. Yes, Boaz is a Judean. Not only is Boaz a considerate master highly esteemed by his workers, but he is a devout worshiper of the true God, for he greets the harvesters with the words “Jehovah be with you,” and they reply, “Jehovah bless you.”​—Ruth 2:1-4.

²⁰ From the young man in charge of the harvesters, Boaz learns that Ruth is the Moabitess who recently came to Bethlehem with Naomi. After receiving permission, she had been gleaning steadily during the morning coolness until the sun mounted in the sky, uncomplainingly enduring the heat. Only now was she sitting temporarily in the house, apparently a mere reapers’ booth. Ruth certainly is no pampered woman!​—Ruth 2:5-7.

21. What is there about Ruth that impresses Boaz, and may Christian women draw any conclusions from this?

²¹ Later Boaz urges Ruth not to glean in another field, but to stay close to his young women, who probably followed his reapers and bound the sheaves. Boaz has commanded the young men not to touch her, and she is free to drink from the water vessels that they have filled. Deeply appreciative, Ruth humbly falls upon her face and bows down to the earth, asking: “How is it I have found favor in your eyes so that I am taken notice of, when I am a foreigner?” Well, Boaz is not trying to win her affections to suit an old man’s fancy. Rather, he has heard how the Moabitess left her father, mother and homeland, sticking with her elderly mother-in-law. Obviously impressed by Ruth’s loyal love and humility, he is moved to say: “May Jehovah reward the way you act, and may there come to be a perfect wage for you from Jehovah the God of Israel, under whose [protective] wings you have come to seek refuge.” Surely, as Ruth acknowledges, Boaz has comforted her and has spoken reassuringly to her.​—Ruth 2:8-13; Ps. 91:2, 4.

22, 23. (a) How does Boaz deal generously with Ruth? (b) In what way are Ruth’s industriousness and unselfishness manifested?

²² At the harvesters’ mealtime Boaz says to Ruth: “Approach here, and you must eat some of the bread and dip your piece in the vinegar [“sour wine”].” What a refreshing condiment during the heat of the day! To Ruth, Boaz holds out roasted grain, and she partakes to satisfaction, with some left over.​—Ruth 2:14; compare The New English Bible.

²³ Then it is back to work. In a spirit of generosity, Boaz tells his young men to let Ruth glean “also among the cut-off ears of grain.” He even instructs them to “pull out some from the bundles of ears,” leaving them behind for her to glean. Evening comes, and Ruth still is busy ‘beating out,’ or threshing, what she has gathered. By using a rod or flail to beat the grain by hand right on the ground, one can release the barley from its stalk and chaff. Why, Ruth’s gleanings for the day amount to over a half bushel of barley! This she carries back home to Bethlehem. Unselfishly, Ruth also takes out the food that she had left over at mealtime earlier that day and gives it to her needy mother-in-law.​—Ruth 2:14-18.

24. (a) Why is it no wonder that people view Ruth as “an excellent woman”? (b) So, why is Ruth a fine example for any godly woman?

²⁴ Again Ruth is displaying loyal love toward Naomi. Add to this the young woman’s love for Jehovah, her industriousness and humility, and it is no wonder that people view her as “an excellent woman.” (Ruth 3:11) Surely, Ruth does not eat “the bread of laziness,” and because of her hard work she has something to share with someone in need. (Prov. 31:27, 31; Eph. 4:28) And in assuming responsibility toward her elderly widowed mother-in-law, the Moabitess must know the happiness that results from giving. (Acts 20:35; 1 Tim. 5:3-8) Ruth is, indeed, a fine example for any godly woman.

HUMILITY IN ACTION

6. How does Naomi show that she unselfishly wants good things to be enjoyed by Ruth?

⁶ The weeks pass and the harvest draws to a close. Naomi asks Ruth: “My daughter, ought I not to look for a resting-place for you, that it may go well with you?” (Ruth 3:1) The elderly widow is not selfishly trying to hold the young Moabitess to her, but wants Ruth to know the rest, the comfort, the settled heart and security that would come to her in the home of a good and loving husband. But Naomi also is concerned about preserving her husband Elimelech’s name in Israel. (Deut. 25:7) In that regard, she discloses a special plan of action, and her humble daughter-in-law is glad to comply with it. So Ruth bathes, rubs herself with oil, puts on her mantles, or outer garments, and heads out on her noble mission.

7. In winnowing barley, what procedure is followed by Boaz?

⁷ Meanwhile, Boaz​—a man of means, but also a hard worker—​has been taking advantage of the evening breezes by winnowing barley at the threshing floor. Threshing has broken the grain kernels loose from the chaff, and the straw has been cut into small pieces. Now, in winnowing, all of this is thrown into the air against the wind with a large fork or winnowing shovel. The breeze blows the chaff away, carries the straw to the side, and lets the kernels fall to the threshing floor. This is a happy time, and so these labors are followed by a delightful meal. Boaz eats and drinks and his heart is “feeling good,” though there is no indication that he has partaken to excess. (Ps. 104:15) Then he lies down “at the extremity of the grain heap,” and soon is sleeping soundly under the starry dome of the heavens.​—Ruth 3:1-7.

8. What action does Ruth take with regard to Boaz at the threshing floor, and is her purpose immoral?

⁸ Stillness prevails until a shadowy figure approaches slowly, quietly, unobserved. It is a woman, who uncovers slumbering Boaz at his feet and lies down there fully clad. At midnight he begins trembling, bends forward, and is startled to find a woman lying, apparently crosswise, at his feet! Unable to recognize her in the darkness, he asks: “Who are you?” and hears the reply: “I am Ruth your slave girl.” But she quickly adds: “And you must spread out your skirt over your slave girl, for you are a repurchaser.” (Lev. 25:25) Surprised though Boaz is, he is neither embarrassed nor indignant. Nor is the Moabitess there for any immoral purpose. Humbly, by means of this symbolical action and her words, she has carried out Naomi’s instructions. Ruth has made the elderly Judean aware of his obligation as a repurchaser, a kinsman of her late husband Mahlon and of his deceased father Elimelech. Naomi had been certain that this venture would be successful, and the younger woman evidently was confident that Boaz would deal with her in an honorable manner. (Ruth 3:4, 7-9) But how will he react?

9. (a) How has Ruth expressed her loving-kindness in what Boaz calls the “first instance” and the “last instance”? (b) Is Ruth “an excellent woman” because of wealth, hairstyle and expensive garb, or what?

⁹ Boaz blesses and commends the humble and loyal Moabitess, saying: “Blessed may you be of Jehovah, my daughter. You have expressed your loving-kindness better in the last instance than in the first instance, in not going after the young fellows whether lowly or rich.” In the first instance, Ruth displayed loyal love for Naomi. Now, rather than seeking companionship with marriageable young men, the Moabitess is willing to marry a much, much older man in order to raise up a name for her deceased husband Mahlon and for her mother-in-law, Elimelech’s aged widow. But how does Boaz feel about that? Reassuringly, he remarks: “And now, my daughter, do not be afraid. All that you say I shall do for you, for everyone in the gate of my people is aware that you are an excellent woman.” Ruth has not loudly proclaimed her virtues, and surely it is not wealth, hairstyle and expensive garb that causes others to admire her. Rather, the young woman’s fear of Jehovah, her good works, her quiet, mild spirit, her loyal love, her industriousness​—acts and traits like these have caused people to view her as “an excellent woman.” Is there a godly woman alive who would not desire such a fine reputation?​—Ruth 3:10, 11; compare Proverbs 31:28-31; 1 Timothy 2:9, 10; 1 Peter 3:3, 4.

10. Why will Ruth not immediately become the wife of Boaz?

¹⁰ Will Boaz immediately take Ruth as his wife? No, for there is a closer male relative of Elimelech and Mahlon. “But if he does not take delight in repurchasing you, I will then repurchase you, I myself,” avers Boaz with an oath, “as sure as Jehovah lives.” Boaz will attend to the matter in the morning.​—Ruth 3:13.

11. What prompts Boaz to give Ruth six measures of barley?

¹¹ Since the hour is late, Boaz has Ruth remain until early morning. But nothing immoral takes place, and they arise while it is still dark, evidently to avoid starting any unsavory and groundless rumors. Before the Moabitess departs, Boaz fills her cloak with six measures of barley, perhaps to signify that, just as six working days are followed by a rest day, so the young woman’s day of rest is at hand, because he will see to it that she will have a “resting-place,” a home with a husband. (Ruth 1:9; 3:1) Of course, generous Boaz also does not want Ruth to return empty-handed to her mother-in-law.

12. Why does Naomi ask: “Who are you, my daughter?”

¹² The Moabitess finally arrives home, and Naomi calls out: “Who are you, my daughter?” Perhaps she does not recognize the one seeking admittance in the dark, but this question may pertain to Ruth’s possible new identity in relationship to her repurchaser. Apprised of the past night’s events, Naomi is confident that Boaz will keep his word and act quickly. “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out,” she urges the young woman, adding, in her feminine wisdom and understanding of human nature, “for the man will have no rest unless he has brought the matter to an end today.”​—Ruth 3:12-18.

13. How may we profit from considering the faith of Naomi and Ruth?

¹³ As those two needy widows bide their time in that humble dwelling, we may profitably consider their faith. Like Naomi, do we personally have confidence in our faithful fellow believers? And, like Ruth, do we readily rely upon Jehovah in times of crisis, sure that his arrangements and provisions are of the very best? (Ps. 37:3-5; 138:8) Think about Ruth. She does not even know that male relative with the first right in this matter; she has no knowledge of his temperament, and yet she is willing to comply with Jehovah’s law on levirate marriage. She must be certain that God will make things work out well.