AM Bible Study Group; January 5, 2011

Ruth 2:17-23

Theme: This passage introduces us to Boaz’ role as the kinsman-redeemer.

To appreciate this morning’s portion of Ruth, we need to give special attention to what Naomi said in verse 20; where she speaks to Ruth of Boaz and says, “This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives.” The word that’s translated “close relative” is the participial form of the Hebrew verb gā’al; and it is the most important word in the book of Ruth.

According to Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament¹, this Hebrew root word has four important meanings: (1) “to refer to the repurchase of a field which was sold in time of need” (see Leviticus 25:25ff), “or the freeing of an Israelite slave who sold himself in time of poverty” (see Leviticus 25:48ff); (2) “‘redemption’ of property or non-sacrificial animals dedicated to the Lord, or the redemption of the firstborn of unclean animals (see Leviticus 27:11ff); (3) “the next of kin who is the ‘avenger of blood . . . for a murdered man” (see Numbers 35:12ff); (4) with respect to “the law of levirate marriage” (see Deuteromony 25:5-10). It’s in this fourth sense that God is particularly presented as the Redeemer of His people (see Isaiah 43:1-3).

This portion of Ruth wonderfully highlights Boaz as the gā’al of Naomi and Ruth; and points to Jesus Christ as our great Kinsman-Redeemer.

I. THE BLESSINGS OF BOUNTY (vv. 17-19a).

A. We’re told that, after her morning of gleaning in the fields of Boaz, and after her lunch at his table, she “gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley” (v. 17). This was a significant amount for a poor, needy gleaner (approximately 35 pounds of grain). When she brought it home to Naomi, it must have been obvious to Naomi that someone had been very merciful to Ruth. This may have even been confirmed when Ruth “gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satisfied” at the table of Boaz (v. 18; see also 14). It may have been the first cooked food she and Ruth had enjoyed in some time! And it may be too that we can detect something of Boaz’s kindness to Naomi in giving Ruth more than she could eat—knowing she’d take some home to Naomi (see 2:11).

B. The bounty was so great that Naomi couldn’t help but saying, “Where have you gleaned today? And where did you work? Blessed be the one who took notice of you” (v. 19a). What a lifting of the spirit this must have been for the poor woman who had asked to be called “Bitterness” (see 1:20-21). Clearly, it was dawning on her that God had not forgotten her in her need. How like the Lord Jesus this is—who wouldn’t send the multitudes away hungry but graciously fed them! (Matthew 15:32ff).

II. THE PRAISE FOR PROVISION OF A REDEEMER (vv. 19b-20).

A. Things took an even brighter turn for Naomi when Ruth “told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, ‘The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz’” (v. 19b). Ruth would not have known the significance of this; but Naomi recognized it immediately, and burst forth into praise to God—”Then Naomi said to her daughter-in- law, ‘Blessed be he of the LORD, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!’” (v. 20a; see also a similar praise to God in Genesis 24:27).

B. It’s then that Naomi explained; “This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives” (v. 20). The first word “relation” basically means “near”; and describes Boaz as a near relative. But the second word is our word gā’al; and defines him as a man who had a legal responsibility for the care of the two widows (see Deuteronomy 25:5-10). No wonder Naomi burst forth in praise. Truly God had not forsaken His kindness either to the living (that is Ruth and Naomi) or to the dead (that is to Naomi’s dead husband and the dead husband of Ruth). Again, what a picture this is of Jesus, “who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption”

(1 Corinthians 1:30).

III. THE COMMAND TO STAY CLOSE (vv. 21-23).

A. Perhaps all this encouraged Ruth to say more. She explained, “He also said to me, ‘You shall stay close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest’” (v. 21; see also 2:8-9). This was, no doubt, in part to secure the protection of Ruth; but it would also insure that she and Naomi would be provided for during the rest of the harvest (another two months). And given the bounty Ruth had already brought home, it would have been likely that they would have been given all that they would need for more than a year’s time!

B. Naomi exhorted her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, and that people do not meet you in any other field” (v. 22). She should take Boaz up in his offer of protection and provision; and not seek to glean anywhere else. We’re told, “So she stayed close by the young women of Boaz, to glean until the end of barley harvest and wheat harvest; and she dwelt with her mother-in-law” (v. 23). Long-term provision and protection was made. And we can expect that throughout that time, Ruth met often with Boaz; and their relationship grew increasingly into love.

* * * * * * * * * *

What a picture this is of Jesus love for us! He would have us go into no other field to glean but His—whose field is more than sufficient for our needs. With His provision comes His protection. And the more we draw what we need from Him, the more we grow in our love for Him who first loved us.

In Hosea 11:4, God speaks of how He drew Israel to Himself. He said, “I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.” Sadly, Israel of old rejected this love. But may we be like Ruth, who was drawn by such cords to love the Redeemer in return.

R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer, Jr., Bruce K. Waltke, Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (Chicago: Moody Press, 1980), vol. 1, p. 300.