Day 112 – Ruth Meets Boaz

• Onward we go with the simple story of Ruth, and in today’s second chapter we meet the kindly Boaz. What did you know about Boaz before you read (or re-read) Ruth 2?
• Throughout most of Ruth 2, Ruth is “gleaning” in the harvest fields. It isn’t a common term anymore, but the job has its roots in the third passage we read today. From what you read in all three passages, what does “gleaning” mean? How do you think Ruth might have felt about going out to glean for food?
• What dangers might she have faced, being a foreigner, a woman and a widow? The words of both Boaz and Naomi will help.
• Who was Boaz? How did he and Ruth meet?
• What instructions did Boaz give Ruth, and why – in Ruth 2:10-13 – does Boaz show her this kindness? What was it about Ruth’s character that drew Boaz to help her?
• How did God’s Law in Deuteronomy help provide for people like Ruth and her mother-in-law? Does it help you to see, in practise, how some of God’s very detailed laws helped His people?
• How did Boaz live out God’s commandments in Deuteronomy to care for the needy? Look at both passages as there is lots of information.
• When Ruth returned home, carrying two week’s worth of food, and explained the events of the day to Naomi, why did her mother-in-law get excited?
• Verse 20 gives us a clue to that question. Boaz is a close relative, but more importantly, a redeemer (often called a “kinsman redeemer”). We’ll find out more about what a redeemer is tomorrow, but for now you need only know that such a person offered the potential of hope, help and security and provision for the otherwise destitute Ruth and Naomi.
• Do you think Naomi already has a plan forming in her mind about a possible marriage?
• What signs can you spot that God is at work in today’s story? To start you off, you may like to investigate Ruth 2:1-3, where there are at least two hidden indications of God at work. What other examples can you find?

Boaz is welcoming and kind and generous to Ruth – more than she could have dared to hope for. There would have been many factors of course. Boaz’s own generous spirit was one. The fact that he knew Ruth to be a close relative (through her marriage to Elimelech’s son) and so he was a potential redeemer, was another, and of course God’s orchestration of events as the true Director of the story. Ruth had a glimpse at the end of today’s readings of being in the care of a man who not only honours God (such as his willingness to obey the Law), but of a kinsman redeemer who could bring salvation and a hope for the future. Her actions towards Boaz, which we’ll enjoy reading about tomorrow, could change her entire outlook.

Needless to say – it’s the same for us! Sometimes we can be blasé about the wonderful promises of Jesus for us, and the life-transforming gift we have received through his act of love for us on the cross. I pray that you have a heart like Ruth today about the good news of Jesus – a wonderful, life-changing joy at the promises we trust in as Christians. Never forget the blessings that we have been given, and never stop being thankful that we, who were once destitute in our sin, have been found, loved, and redeemed in the most awesome way.