Ruth Chapter 2 Back in Bethlehem
Chapter 1 started with a famine in the fields of Moab with tragedy while chapter 2 opens back home in Bethlehem with a harvest and the introduction of the hero of this Romance. Ruth 2:1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
Ruth volunteers to goes out to glean (given her younger age) to provide for her mother– in-law. Naomi would have explained the various customs of the land. Prophetic type here would be the gentile bride learns from a Jewish bible and Jewish disciples about the customs of a Jewish Messiah. (Boaz)
Ru 2:3 And she went, and came and took up the heads of grain in the field after the cutters; and by chance she went into that part of the field which was the property of Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. The Plan of God does not allow for “by Chance”
Boaz (Lord of the harvest) comes to inspect the Harvest and speaks to the unnamed overseer. It is always an unnamed servant that introduces the Gentile Bride to the Messiah. Like Eliezer selecting Rebecca in Gen 24. The Chief servant us unnamed. Typology is the Holy Spirit.
John 16 v 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
The Servant—the Holy Spirit—informs the Lord of the harvest — Jesus Christ that this marriageable young woman came out of the (Fields of Moab) — world in repentance with the delightful one (i.e., Naomi or Israel)
The Lord of the Harvest responds – by encouraging her to stay in His field and with His workers and His servants and she can have the water He provides.
Ruth 2:10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou should take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
Ruth 2:11 Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully related to me all that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth and went to a people that you did not know yesterday or the day before.
Ruth 2:12 The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
We studied what the Wings were – The Kanaph or borders of the prayer shawl….see Healing Hem Notes.
She left all to seek a new relationship with the people of God and the God of Israel. Here is Boaz acknowledging here Chesed = Acts of Kindness or Mercy. Boaz mentions the deeds in this specific order: 1st, that she supported her mother-in-law; 2nd, That she left her idols and parents and converted to a nation she did not know.
The other Gentile Bride of the Old Testament is Rebecca – and she is also identified by her good works of kindness.
Genesis 24:17 –20 And she said, Take a drink, my lord: and quickly letting down her vessel onto her hand, she gave him a drink. 19 And having done so, she said, I will get water for your camels till they have had enough. Rebecca served Eliezer (a total stranger) — by watering his camels so this Gentile Bride Ruth is marked by her love and service.
