Ruth 2:1-23

<p style="text-align:center;">Ruth 2:1-23</p> <p style="text-align:center;">Dr. Steven R. Cook</p> <p> </p> <p>Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech [see Ruth 1:3], whose name was Boaz [בֹּעַז Boaz - quickness]. 2 And Ruth the Moabitess [emphasizing her Gentile heritage; cf. Ruth 1:22; 2:6, 21; 4:5, 10] said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain [see Lev. 19:9-10; 23:22; Deut. 24:19] after one in whose sight I may find favor [חֵן chen – favor, grace].” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” 3 So she departed and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened [by divine providence] to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. 4 Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, “May the LORD be with you.” [an expression of faith that desires God’s best for the needy] And they said to him, “May the LORD bless you.” [an expression of faith that desires God’s blessing to the merciful-wealthy] 5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” [Boaz takes note of Ruth] 6 The servant in charge of the reapers replied, “She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab 7 “And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves [asks permission rather than assuming her rights].’ Thus she came and has remained from the morning until now; she has been sitting in the house for a little while [working hard, taking short breaks].” 8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field; furthermore, do not go on from this one, but stay here with my maids. 9 “Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Indeed, I have commanded the servants not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the servants draw.” [offering Ruth protection and provision beyond what the Law require