I. God's Providence Introduces Us To Boaz (v.1).

1. The narrator introduces the reader to a man named Boaz (boh'az).

A. His name means, "in him is strength," or literally "a mighty man of valor."

1) The same words are used of Gideon and Jephthah when they were called a "mighty warrior" in Judges 6:12 and 11:1.
2) Boaz was a mighty man of valor who was capable in his community, and lived an exemplary lifestyle.

B. He was a friend of Naomi's husband, and from the family of Elimelech (v.1).

2. Boaz will now become one of the main characters in the story

II. God's Providence Provides For The Needy (vv.2-3)

1. Ruth requested permission of Naomi to go to the field and glean (v.2)

A. Gleaning was a special provision of God written into the Law to care for the poor, widows, orphans, and strangers (Lev. 19:9-10; 23:22; Deut. 24:19).

1) The Law required owners to leave for the gleaners, the corners of their fields and the dropped grain.
2) The "ears of grain" could be barley, wheat, rye, oats, or any other cereal grain.
3) "Ears" refers to that portion of the plant that contains its flowers and seeds that are necessary for reproduction (the KJV often uses the term "corn" which carries the same meaning ).

B. "Find favor," this carries the idea of the Hebrew word for "grace" which implies showing favor out of compassion.

1) Some reapers would put obstacles in the way of the poor who sought to feed themselves with the gleanings, and abuses where common.
2) Ruth hoped to glean in a field of a genuinely kind and compassionate person.

- Some generous landowners were known to leave as much as one forth of their crop for the needy and aliens.

2. In accordance with her mother-in-law's permission, Ruth gleaned in the field after the reapers, and by "chance" entered the field belonging to Boaz of the family of Elimelech (v.3).

A. The term "happened" or "Hap to light" carries the idea of fortune, chance, or fate.

1) It was not by blind chance that Ruth ended up in Boaz's field, it was fate.
2) The Lord, in His gracious providence brought her there, and later, Boaz down from Bethlehem to meet her.

B. There is no hint in the context that Ruth initially went to Boaz's field as part of Naomi's clever design to bring the two together.

III. It's God's Providence That Allows Boaz To Notice Ruth (vv.4-7).

1. While Ruth was gleaning in the field of Boaz he appeared greeting his workers with a prayer that God would be with them (v.4).

A. Boaz was a man of God who knew how to treat people right.
B. We also see in this verse the effectiveness of his witness because of his workers response back to him.

2. Boaz sees Ruth and inquires of his servant in charge about her identity (vv.5-7).

A. Boaz asked the servant in charge about young woman (v.5).

1) Some say that when Boaz saw Ruth it was love at first sight.
2) What we do know is that God caused Boaz's interest to be stirred when he saw Ruth.

B. Boaz learns that she was the one who had returned with Naomi from Moab, and that she had been gleaning with permission since early morning and was now resting in the shelter (vv.6-7).

1) The foreman identified the new gleaner to Boaz (v.6).
2) The foreman also noted that Ruth was a diligent worker (v.7).

"A problem is an opportunity in work clothes."- J. Kaiser, Jr.
 

On Your Own: Review this chapter at a later time and ask yourself the following questions to see if there are other applications for us to apply in our walk with the Lord. Is there an example for me to follow? Is there a sin for me to avoid? Is there a command for me to obey? Is there a promise for me to claim? Is there a difficulty here for me to explore (more research needed)? Is there something in this passage that I should pray about today? What does this passage teach me about God, Jesus, and/or the Holy Spirit? ("How To Give Away Your Faith" by Paul E. Little, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL., pp.126-27, 1980)

Introduction: As a Christian studying the book of Ruth you cannot help but to see parallels between Boaz and Christ; not in the since that Boaz was perfect or sinless, or that he died for the sins of man, but in the way he showed grace and love to Ruth. Boaz is a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ in His relationship to His bride (the church), who also took in someone from outside His family with no claims on the mercy of God. We can learn much from Boaz's example of grace if we are willing.

I. Pay Attention To The Examples That God Provides (vv.8-9).

1. Listening (v.8a).

- Boaz tells Ruth to "listen carefully" or "pay attention" (shama) to what he is about to tell her.

2. "My daughter" (vv.8b-9).

A. Grace knows no stranger (v.8b).
- The term "my daughter" may indicate that Boaz was much older than Ruth, or it could simply imply that he would treat her with the same care that a father would a daughter.
B. Grace reaches out to others (v.8c-9).

1) It Protects (v.8c).

A) He urges Ruth to not glean in another field.
B) He urges Ruth to not leave his field but to stay there with his maids.

2) It Provides (v.9).

A) He urges Ruth to go reaping behind his maids (v.9a).

- The reaping was performed by women, while the assortment of sheaves was the duty of men-servants.
- The weeks of harvest; barley (March-April) and wheat (June-July).

B) He comforts Ruth with the fact that he she is under his protection (v.9b).

- In Ruth's day it was very dangerous for a woman in Ruth's position (a widow and a woman from Moab).
- Boaz recognized this fact and immediately puts protection around her.

C) He urges Ruth to drink from the servants water jars when she is thirsty (v.9c)

II. Responding To Grace (v.10).

1. Acceptance of grace (v.10a).

A. Ruth's response to Boaz was one of humility and gratitude.
B. She bowed down with her face to the ground which was a common gesture in the ancient Near East (Gen.19:1; 42:6; 43:26; 48:12: Josh.5:14; 2 Sam.1:2).
C. Ruth acknowledged her own unworthiness and accepted his grace.

2. Recognizing that true grace cannot be earned (v.10b).

A. The word "favor" (hn) is also used in the Old Testament as "grace," and "acceptance."
B. Ruth marveled that Boaz, a Jew, should show such favor to a Gentile who deserved no favor.

III. Keeping A Proper Perspective About Grace (vv.11-13)

1. While we cannot earn grace, our own acts of grace do not go unnoticed (vv.11-12).

A. Ruth's unselfish acts did not go unnoticed by others (v.11).

1) Boaz explained that he was showing favor to Ruth because he had heard of all that she had done for her mother-in-law after the death of Ruth's husband (v.11a).
2). Boaz also explained that he was showing favor to Ruth because she had left her people (father and mother), and her birth land to come to a people that she did not previously know (v.11b).

B. Boaz prayed that God would give Ruth full reward for her faithfulness and loving care of her mother-in-law (v.12).

1) Ruth in her need had sought refuge in the Lord as little chicks flee to the mother hen for protection in times of crisis, and true to God's nature He would reward her by covering her with His wings (Deut.32:11; Psa.17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 61:4; 63:7; 91:1, 4).
2) Boaz would soon be used of God to answer his own prayer.

2. True grace keeps us humble (v.13).

A. Boaz's kind words could have given Ruth reason to be proud, but instead she demonstrated a humble spirit.
B. Boaz comforted and warmed Ruth's soul.