Ruth chapter 2 verse 14 to 19

Continuing to think of the handful, we come to this lovely chapter in the book of Ruth. In v16 we read of the instructions of Boaz to his young men “and let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her”.

 

Strictly speaking Ruth should never have been in the land, never mind a harvest field (see Neh 13:1) but Ruth is an example of the grace of God. The law forbad her but grace welcomed her as she had come to trust under the wings of the Lord God of Israel (Ruth 2:12).

 

Let us look briefly at the chapter in two different ways; firstly as the word of God and secondly as a local assembly. In both cases we will see pictures and principles.

 

God’s word

Paul writes in Romans 15:4 whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. In 2 Tim 3:16 we read that All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. In Luke 24:27 the risen Saviour speaking to the two as they journeyed  beginning at Moses and all the prophets He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. We can see in these three instances that among many other things the scriptures are…

1. For our learning

2. For our profit

3. To reveal the Lord Jesus

The bible is a large book full of blessing for those who believe and glean in its pages. Ruth came to the field belonging to Boaz and it must have been a large field full of promise and blessing. We want to notice that she met Boaz in the field and there she came to learn something about his character, his concern, his compassion and his capability. It is in God’s word we find the Saviour and through the Holy Spirit we learn of Him as well. Notice it was a harvest field and there was barley in every corner. There was food for the stranger, there was food for the newcomer, there was food for the labourers; there was food for everyone. Their appetites may have varied but in this field there was enough for all. We notice as well that when Ruth came to the field she was humble and respectful in her approach (see Ruth 2:7&10). Humility and modesty are Christlike features which are lovely to note in the lives of God’s people.

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Learning

Ruth was also obedient; both to Boaz (Ruth 2:8/9) and Naomi (Ruth 2:22/23). They would instruct her for her benefit and she was prepared to learn from their instructions. In our individual lives there are those with our Spiritual progress in mind who instruct us in the ways of God and we can look back in our lives and remember many; both brethren and sisters who instructed us as well and we thank God for their interest in us.

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Profit

This was for Ruth’s profit as we see how she progresses…

• v3 she gleaned after the reapers

• v7 she gleaned among the sheaves

• v14 she ate parched corn

• v16 she gleaned handfuls of purpose

• v18 she had something for Naomi

• v18 she was satisfied

 

We cannot help but see her diligence as in v7 she continued even from the morning until now and in v17 she gleaned in the field until even. We cannot overstress the need for every believer to read and meditate on God’s word as much as we possibly can and if we do we will have great reward. As Paul writes to Timothy (and indeed to us all) in 1 Tim 4:8 bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things. In v15 of the same chapter he writes meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

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Revelation

As she laboured and gleaned in the field of Boaz, he is revealed to her; as she finds out what kind of person he is. We mentioned earlier how she became aware of his virtues and attractiveness and she wonders in v10 Why have I found grace in thine eyes…seeing I am a stranger. I am sure that we all wonder at the grace of our Lord Jesus that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich (2 Cor 8:9). The more she was with him and observed him the more she came to love him. How like us with our Lord. The parched corn which Boaz gave her in v14 was a delicacy and Tom Wilson in ministry on the book of Ruth commented that she was “handfed by her redeemer”. I think we can apply the delicacies in the bible in relation to the person of the Lord Jesus. What a thrill to find them personally and how full of taste they are.

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Boaz was blessing Ruth and she didn’t even know it. He instructed that handfuls of purpose be left for her and so our Lord Jesus provides for us and preserves us even in these strange times in which we live. But let us be sure that we glean among the sheaves and find Him there.

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Local assembly

I also think we can see the local assembly here. The field would be marked out; probably with stones. It had clear borders and it was the field belonging to Boaz. That field, and everything that went on in it, took its character from Boaz. We do well to remember that it is God’s assembly and everything which goes on there should be done with God’s character, mind and will in view and for His glory.

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There was order in the field as there had been sowers and now there were reapers, gleaners and gatherers. In the field was the owner and in v6 there was the servant over the reapers. There were older people and there were young men and maidens. So in the local assembly there is order as found in God’s word and there are people of all ages with different responsibilities all working together in unity. In Ps 133 David states in v1 How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity and in v3 that it’s there the Lord commanded the blessing. In our NT Paul exhorted the Philippian saints in 1:27 to stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. In the field there were no bystanders as there was something for everyone to do and the same applies in the assembly. But while we see that there was work for all so there was blessing for all and there was food for all and we noticed that it was a harvest field. May God give us guidance that in the assembly there is food and sustenance for every believer; both young and old. Not only was there food and harmony in the field but there was love, respect, joy, concern (for each other and strangers), comfort, fellowship and refreshment. It is interesting to see that while Boaz is not mentioned at all in chapter 1, he is mentioned ten times in chapter 2 as he was central in the field and it all revolved around him. It is the same with our Lord Jesus and the local assembly. If our Lord is given the place that is rightfully His in our gatherings, then we too will enjoy the blessings of the harvest field.

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In these difficult days when we cannot meet together and enjoy the mutual blessings of fellowship, let us make sure that we personally are in the field every day finding those handfuls of purpose.

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With continued blessings in the Lord,

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David Lind