OUR WORK AND GOD’S PROVISION. Ruth 2 The second part of the story introduces a relative, a kinfolk, into the scene in verse one. This suggests hope because he was a man of wealth and prominence in the same clan as Elimelech. Naomi and Ruth had reached a point where they needed food. They had planted no crops, so they had no harvest and couldn’t wait for something to happen to meet their needs. They had to take action to survive, and they had to do so during the two months of harvest.
The Lord understands our needs and knows how to arrange things to meet them when people are faithful to Him and His followers. There is no point in asking, “Why doesn’t someone do something to help those poor people?” when we could be the means by which God provides for them once we recognize the need. At the same time, it is wrong for us to ask, “Why won’t someone help me?” when we have the power and ability to work and meet our own needs.
Ruth exemplifies a hardworking woman who was not going to wait for everything to be handed to her on a silver platter. In chapter two, we learn that she had noble character, compassion, and initiative. Ruth did not wait for good fortune to come to her and Naomi; she took action. She was not afraid to admit her needs or work hard to meet them. Ruth was willing to listen to Naomi and follow her guidance and wisdom regarding the culture and how best to apply her efforts.
When you have a need, consider that God may be waiting for you to take the first step to demonstrate how important that need is. What do you do when you're asked to do a job you feel is beyond your potential? The task before you might be what God wants you to do for now, or perhaps even permanently. It could be a test of your character that opens doors to other opportunities. A wise person listens to others instead of acting impulsively or carelessly. A faithful person is diligent in providing what is needed to meet personal needs and to help others. It’s not uncommon or wrong to wait for God's provision, even though we already have His promise in the written word that assures us that what we need He will give "according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
We may not realize in the moment that while we're focused on our daily tasks and our calling, we're shaping a reputation we'd have to live with. Usually, the way you work shows the kind of qualities you have inside. Hard work, a loving attitude, kindness, faithfulness, and courage are character traits that become clear in the workplace—and often shine brightest during tough times. Consistently living out your beliefs builds your reputation.
Ruth’s initiative after the two women arrived in Bethlehem teaches us an important lesson. Wherever the Lord guides us, it is essential to observe how things are done there and adapt as best as possible to the local customs and people instead of trying to do things “the way we did back home.” Ruth saw the gleaners following the harvesters at a distance and collecting leftovers. She might not have known the specific words of the law, but she understood that providing for Naomi's and her own needs required her to take action. Her devotion and faithfulness to Naomi prompted her to move forward and fulfill her commitment. Faithfulness to God involves doing what our commitments demand.
Ruth demonstrated dedication by diligently gleaning in the field. Boaz demonstrated this when he provided for the needy out of his abundance. We are often judged by how we treat those less fortunate than us. Do we do the minimum, the maximum, or something in between? Although she was hurt and bitter, Naomi still acknowledged God's work and praised Him for Boaz’s kindness. Whether leaving one place for another, being released from some form of bondage, or finding assurance of victory—during times of despair and grief—we might have to wait a long time for relief. Perhaps it will not arrive until this life is over.
In life, everyone makes mistakes. This is an unavoidable fact. But after facing our errors and handling them properly, we should trust God for a fresh start and stop dwelling on regrets or frustrations over things beyond our control. God's storehouse of resources is much greater than your burdens. Stop staring at the wall and waiting for something amazing to happen. By faith, stand up and open the door to a new tomorrow. Sometimes, we will question God's reliability when we look at things through natural eyes and make the mistake of trying to find a quick fix in our own way. Faithfulness in the lives of ordinary people may not produce dramatic solutions but simple, quiet answers to the everyday issues we face.
There are conditions to fulfill when making spiritual choices, especially when God seeks to accomplish His purposes through us. We must commit to living by faith in the Lord [2:1-3]. Living by faith means trusting God’s Word and acting on it. Ruth believed that God would provide for her, so she went to work. In the same way, the Lord worked for her; God works with us [Mk.16:10], in us [Phil.2:12-13], and for us [Rom.8:28]. We need to learn to live by God's grace [Ru.2:4-16]. Grace is favor given to those who do not deserve it. When we do this, God takes the first step to resolve the matter on our behalf.
Boaz took the initiative when the issue arose about the property and the future of Ruth and Naomi. Additionally, God does not want to leave us in the dark about anything; He speaks to us through His word, just as Boaz opened the conversation with Ruth about what was to come. He understood what needed to be done and took action. God also freely gives. We don't have to try to establish an "I will do this if you do that" kind of agreement. Boaz promised to provide for and protect Ruth, just as God gives us promises. God wants us to trust Him. Boaz encouraged Ruth, and she left content that everything would turn out right. God has never let us down, and He never will. He satisfies those who trust and believe that what He does and gives is right and best. Boaz made sure Ruth was satisfied.
Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem too late to plant barley or wheat in Elimelech's field. The barley harvest had already started, followed later by the wheat harvest. How could they find food without stealing? Prosperity was visible among those who remained in Bethlehem, but Naomi and Ruth were poor and struggling to survive. They faced the reality that they wouldn’t have a harvest of their own. When things happen beyond our control, we should follow Ruth's example by taking initiative to get what we can, even if it’s not much. She took advantage of the Jewish law that allowed gleaning in the fields after the harvesters had passed through, collecting the grain stalks left behind.
She arose and went, and the Lord guided her to a place where He had prepared provisions that far surpassed her expectations. A young widow from a foreign land working alone in a field would have been quite vulnerable. Her courteous request to the overseer of the harvesters would have made a positive impression on him. He knew she was Naomi’s daughter-in-law from Moab who had come to live among them.
Gleaning refers to basic subsistence living, like collecting bottles and cans from a ditch. It was hard, degrading work that yielded only a small return for the effort put in, but it was considered a provision from God. Immigrants like Ruth were strangers both in the land they moved to and in the land they left behind. Ruth was a poor foreigner but was devoted to Naomi and determined to honor her promise. She acted on her words in the only way she knew how. She was faithful in trying to provide for Naomi as long as she lived. We are supposed to do what we say in words and sing about in our Christian hymns and songs. Ordinary people are those who meet the needs of others while remaining faithful to God.
Separate fields belonged to different people, and "by chance," Ruth came to Boaz's field and asked for permission to glean there. "By chance," Boaz happened to pass by to see the work going on in the harvest. It may seem like a simple but unusual coincidence, but it actually happened. Behind it all, God was working "to will and to do of His good pleasure." In grace, He made things happen according to His sovereign will, although His work was not dramatic.
We should never overlook or take for granted the blessings of the small things that happen in our lives. God is working in a way that best fits each situation. Boaz was likely a friend to Naomi and definitely a relative of Elimelech. He was a man of power and authority in the community and used his influence in Bethlehem for good. Ruth needed a favor, and Boaz granted it without her asking. God is working behind the scenes in the lives of His ordinary people.
Ruth’s politeness and diligence greatly increased her natural attractiveness. Consequently, she received far more than she expected. Boaz was not only faithful in providing for this poor widow, but he also offered her permission, protection, and the essential food and water to keep her strength for gleaning in the fields. Interestingly, Boaz served her food himself. He granted her the favor she needed from his abundant provision as a faithful man. He followed not just the letter of the law but also its spirit.
God had been generous to him, and now he showed kindness to the poor. Whether out of duty, conscience, reputation, or as a response to the law, Boaz did what was right by helping the poor woman. Ruth wondered why he had noticed her, since she thought she was unnoticed. We are not unnoticed in life, even if we believe we are insignificant in the bigger picture. But Boaz already knew about her and how she cared for Naomi. As far as Boaz was concerned, Ruth deserved what she received. God likes to do things for His children and rewards faithfulness by providing for our actual needs.
There will be times in our lives when we feel uncertain about ourselves and what will happen to us. Uncertainty can seriously hinder those who haven't learned to walk by faith. From Ruth chapter two, we learn that we must live in hope [Ru.2:17-23]. Despondency not only negatively affects us but can also influence those around us. When we live in hope, we will work with hope. When we work with hope, we will be willing to trust God in hope. Then, when these practices are followed, like Ruth and Naomi's, we will truly be living in hope.