God’s Provision Through Kindness

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The book of Ruth is set during the time of the judges, a period marked by social instability and hardship. Ruth 2 follows Naomi and Ruth’s return to Bethlehem after the death of their husbands, highlighting their vulnerable position as widows and foreigners. This chapter introduces Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband, who plays a key role in God’s plan to restore their family line. Understanding the cultural importance of gleaning and kinsman-redeemer customs helps us appreciate the significance of Boaz’s actions and God’s providence in this story.

What You'll Learn

• How God uses Boaz’s kindness to provide for Ruth and Naomi’s needs during the harvest.
• The cultural practice of gleaning and its role in caring for the poor and foreigners in Israel.
• Boaz’s recognition of Ruth’s loyalty and faithfulness as a foreigner embracing God’s people.
• The foreshadowing of Christ as the ultimate kinsman-redeemer who rescues and restores.
• The importance of trusting God’s provision even in uncertain and difficult circumstances.
• How human kindness reflects God’s covenant love and mercy toward the vulnerable.

God’s faithful provision and covenant kindness sustain the vulnerable through faithful obedience and human generosity.

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

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 2:2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

Ruth 2:3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

Ruth 2:4 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.

Ruth 2:5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

Ruth 2:6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:

Ruth 2:7 And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.

Ruth 2:8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:

Ruth 2:9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

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 shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?

Ruth 2:11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

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.

Ruth 2:13 Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.

Ruth 2:14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.

Ruth 2:15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:

Ruth 2:16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.

Ruth 2:17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.

Ruth 2:18 And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.

Ruth 2:19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.

Ruth 2:20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

Ruth 2:21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.

Ruth 2:22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.

Ruth 2:23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

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.

Study: Naomi’s relative Boaz is introduced as a wealthy and influential man from Elimelech’s family, establishing the kinsman-redeemer role crucial to Israel’s covenant law. His presence signals God’s provision through family loyalty, a key theme in the restoration of Naomi’s household.

Ruth 2:2

And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

Study: Ruth’s request to glean in the fields shows her humility and trust in God’s provision through Israel’s social laws protecting the poor. Naomi’s permission reflects her hope and faith that God will provide through this practice.

Ruth 2:3

And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

Study: Ruth’s gleaning in Boaz’s field is providential, linking her to a man who will become her redeemer. The detail that she 'happened' upon Boaz’s field highlights God’s sovereign hand guiding her steps.

Ruth 2:4

And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.

Study: Boaz’s greeting to the reapers invokes God’s blessing, reflecting his godly character and leadership. This public invocation sets the tone for his protective and generous treatment of Ruth.

Ruth 2:5

Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

Study: Boaz’s inquiry about Ruth shows his concern for the vulnerable and his role as a protector. This question initiates the unfolding of God’s plan through human kindness.

Ruth 2:6

And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:

Study: The servant’s report identifies Ruth as a Moabitess who returned with Naomi, emphasizing her outsider status and the cultural barriers she faces, which makes Boaz’s kindness even more significant.

Ruth 2:7

And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.

Study: Ruth’s persistence in gleaning from morning until now reveals her diligence and need, underscoring the harsh reality for widows and foreigners relying on gleaning for survival.

Ruth 2:8

Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:

Study: Boaz’s command that Ruth remain close to his maidens and not glean elsewhere shows his protective care, ensuring her safety and provision within his household’s sphere.

Ruth 2:9

Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

Study: Boaz’s charge to his young men not to harm Ruth and to provide water demonstrates his respect for her dignity and his commitment to covenant kindness toward the vulnerable.

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 shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?

Study: Ruth’s humble response to Boaz’s kindness reveals her awareness of her lowly status as a foreigner and her gratitude for God’s favor shown through him.

Ruth 2:11

And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

Study: Boaz acknowledges Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi and her courage in leaving her homeland, highlighting her faithfulness and the significance of covenant loyalty beyond ethnic boundaries.

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.

Study: Boaz’s blessing invokes God’s recompense and protection under His wings, a powerful image of God’s care and a promise of full reward for Ruth’s faith and trust.

Ruth 2:13

Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.

Study: Ruth’s request to find favor in Boaz’s sight reflects her dependence on his kindness and the social reality of her vulnerable position as a foreign servant.

Ruth 2:14

And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.

Study: Boaz’s invitation to eat with the reapers and his personal provision of food show his generosity and inclusion of Ruth into his community, symbolizing God’s acceptance of the outsider.

Ruth 2:15

And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:

Study: Boaz’s command to protect Ruth from reproach highlights the social challenges she faces and his role in safeguarding her dignity during the harvest.

Ruth 2:16

And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.

Study: Boaz instructs his men to intentionally leave extra grain for Ruth, illustrating God’s abundant provision through human generosity and the covenant law’s care for the poor.

Ruth 2:17

So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.

Study: Ruth’s gathering of about an ephah of barley signifies a substantial provision, showing God’s blessing on her labor and Boaz’s generosity.

Ruth 2:18

And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.

Study: Ruth’s sharing of the gleaned grain with Naomi demonstrates her continued faithfulness and the mutual care within their small family unit.

Ruth 2:19

And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.

Study: Naomi’s blessing of Boaz for noticing Ruth reveals the importance of kindness and protection in their survival and God’s providential care through human agents.

Ruth 2:20

And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

Study: Naomi’s recognition of Boaz as a near kinsman introduces the theme of the kinsman-redeemer, a key covenant role that points forward to Christ’s redeeming work.

Ruth 2:21

And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.

Study: Ruth’s report of Boaz’s instruction to stay close to his young men until harvest’s end shows her obedience and trust in God’s provision through Boaz’s protection.

Ruth 2:22

And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.

Study: Naomi’s advice for Ruth to remain with Boaz’s maidens reflects practical wisdom and an understanding of social safety within the community’s structure.

Ruth 2:23

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

Study: Ruth’s faithful adherence to glean with Boaz’s maidens through both barley and wheat harvests highlights her perseverance and God’s ongoing provision.

Ruth 2 narrates how Ruth, a Moabite widow, gleans in the fields of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi’s late husband. Boaz’s kindness and protection toward Ruth demonstrate God’s providential care through covenant loyalty and social laws designed to aid the vulnerable. Ruth’s faithfulness and Boaz’s generosity intertwine to reveal God’s plan to restore Naomi’s family line, foreshadowing Christ as the ultimate redeemer. The chapter emphasizes trusting God’s provision and the power of human kindness in God’s redemptive story.

Lord, thank You for Your faithful provision and protection, even in difficult seasons. Help us to trust Your timing and to show kindness to those in need as reflections of Your covenant love. Strengthen our faith like Ruth’s and guide us to be instruments of Your grace in the lives of others. Amen.

• Pray daily for God’s provision and guidance in your life and for those in need around you.
• Read and meditate on Ruth 2:12, reflecting on God’s protection and reward for faithfulness.
• Practice an act of kindness this week toward someone vulnerable or marginalized.
• Journal about ways God has provided for you in unexpected ways.
• Memorize Ruth 2:12 to remind yourself of God’s care under His wings.
• Discuss with a friend or family member how God’s providence has been evident in your life.
• Attend a community event or church service focused on caring for the needy.

Ruth 2 beautifully illustrates God’s providential care through the kindness of Boaz and the faithfulness of Ruth. The chapter reveals how God uses human generosity and covenant loyalty to provide for the vulnerable, foreshadowing Christ’s ultimate redemption. Trusting God’s provision and responding with faithful obedience opens the door to His blessings and protection.

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