This is part of a video series covering the entire Bible in 4 years, one chapter at a time. Start at the beginning with Genesis 1 (Youtube link: https://youtu.be/wC2qD4RGOdo)) and work through the playlist. Or go to https://www.peace.org.au/bible.html for more information.
In this video listen to Ruth 2 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
In Ruth 2 she asks her mother-in-law for permission to go and glean, or harvest on the fringes of the fields for the poor. Being able to glean on the margins was an allowance for the poor that God placed into the Laws of Moses in Leviticus 19:9-10.
So it is Ruth that decides to make an effort to go and harvest barley, she isn’t dependent on her Mother in law, but actually supports her. How unusual this is for any time and any place? Imagine churches filled with people who took this attitude towards their pastors and spiritual leaders. Imagine how much would be achieved. Rather than being asked to harvest, they ask permission to harvest and go.
Then Boaz was understanding. The real reason is that the Lord was in this scenario, and Boaz has seen how unusual her behaviour was in a good way. Boaz however also had a mother who was a foreigner, Rahab the woman from Jericho. So he knew that you cannot generalize about someone based on their nationality.
This chapter has highlighted the principle of God working, if we also work. While God does work on his own, and occasionally we see something like the conversion of Saul which appears truly miraculous and sovereign, mostly God works through our work. So it is important that we seek the Lord for his will, and then actually work. Here we see that the Lord blessed Ruth, while she worked.
In this story, Ruth was told by her mother in law to stay in the field of Boaz. But Boaz also said to stay in his field and there she would be safe. Boaz is a picture of Christ to us, and we are to remain in him. Christ said, “remain in me, and my words will remain in you.” John 15:4. If we do this we will bear “much fruit.” Also, if we remain in Christ it is a place of much safety.
Sep 2, 2021 | Message by David Alley