Ruth Faithfulness

Ruth and Naomi are in Bethlehem. Life is hard for the two widows. Ruth’s faithfulness to Naomi will shine through.

Ruth has chosen to travel with Naomi back to Israel. Ruth has no idea what to expect when she gets there. She didn’t come for riches or for fame. She came because of love and faithfulness to Naomi. Her heart would lead her to do whatever she could to care for this woman she loved as her own mother. And Naomi would direct Ruth to the right place for her own future.

♥ ♦ ♥

Ruth and Naomi have made the home comfortable. There are still a few issues to deal with, like rethatching the roof in places and clearing and planting a winter garden. More pressing needs must take priority. Their food is nearly depleted and their money long gone. Fortunately it is harvest time and Ruth is willing to work. She only hopes Naomi is amenable to her suggestion. She will ask her tonight.

“Ima, ‘let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor’ (verse 2b).” Ruth holds her breath as she waits for Naomi’s answer.

“Go, my daughter” (Ruth 2:2c).

Ruth smiles at Naomi and bows her head. “Thank you, Ima. With the Lord’s help we will have bread again soon.”

Morning dawns and Ruth hurries through her morning chores so she can get to the fields. She does not know who owns any of them nor where their boundaries lie. She will simply follow the women and glean whatever she can. Ruth dons her sturdiest apron and kisses Naomi good-bye as she heads out the door.

It doesn’t take long for Ruth to spot reapers in the fields. There are groups working in many different areas. “The best place to start is right where I’m at” thinks Ruth. She enters the field directly in front of her and begins picking up stalks of grain that were left lying on the ground. She is following a group of women who are following the reapers. She is staying behind both groups so that no one will accuse her of taking from the harvest.

Ruth is a diligent worker. She keeps her eyes on the ground for any stalks left. She gathers any she finds into her apron and once it is full she brings it to the edge of the field where she weighs it down with a rock. She then returns to the field to hunt for more. There is so much ground to cover! Yet she does it with a song in her heart. She knows her labors will provide for Naomi and herself. Every stalk means a little less hunger.

As one group of reapers and followers rest, Ruth moves off to follow another. She is tired but determined to keep going. After her third apron full she rests for a few minutes herself. Just enough time to straighten the kinks in her back from bending over all morning. She looks at what she has gathered so far and says a silent ‘thanks’ to the Lord for directing her steps before returning again to her task.

Ruth’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by the others in the fields. Many of them recognize her from when she and Naomi came through town. They have heard stories of the two widows. And they know the Lord’s command to leave some grain for such as these in need. They are pleased to be part of the Lord’s plan in caring for her.

While Ruth is deep into her work, Boaz, the master of the field she is working in, comes to see how his harvest is going. He exchanges greetings with his manager and looks about the field. He notices a young woman working all by herself. She piques his curiosity. “Whose young woman is this” (Ruth 2:5b) he asks.

“’She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab’ (Ruth 2:6b). She asked if she could glean after the reapers had finished. She has been at it all morning and has only taken one break all day. She is quite dedicated.”

Boaz nods his head and watches a little longer. Ruth continues her work unaware of the eyes following her. Once her apron is full again, she goes to her pile at the edge of the field to deposit her latest gleanings. Boaz and his manager approach her there.

“Greetings daughter.”

Ruth looks up at the stranger who addressed her. She can see he is a man of wealth as his clothes are not dusty from work and the man she spoke to this morning is standing behind him. She nods her head in recognition of his greeting.

“My manager has told me how you approached him and asked permission to glean here. He has also told me how diligently you have been working. ‘Now, listen

my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn’ (Ruth 2:8-9).”

Ruth is awed and humbled by his offer. His offer is the difference between life and death for Naomi and herself. She never in her wildest dreams expected such kindness. She falls on her face, bowing to the ground before him. “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” (Ruth 2:10b).

Boaz’s heart is moved even more by her humble attitude. “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” (Ruth 2:11-12).

Ruth’s eyes brim with unshed tears. It has been a long time since anyone has sung her praises, outside of Naomi. She is a stranger in a strange land but feels more loved now than she did in her own home as a young girl. “Thank you for your kind words and your generosity. They have given me much comfort. You have extended to me provisions and protection as one would do for their own servant and I am not even that to you. I am truly honored by your kindness.”

Boaz leaves Ruth to her task and he goes back to looking over the progress for the day. When it is time for the midday meal, the workers from Boaz’s field lay their tools aside and gather together to eat and drink. The work is long and dusty. It is a welcome rest. Boaz notices that Ruth continues to glean while his workmen rest. Boaz askes his manager; “Did you notice if she brought a meal with her when she came?”

“No my lord. She came with nothing but her hands and a small waterskin about her waist.”

Boaz calls out to her. “Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine” (Ruth 2:14b).

Ruth looks around to see who he might be talking to but there is no one else around. Everyone else is sitting together near the man. She points to herself with a question in her eyes?

Boaz smiles and nods and motions her forward with his hand. Ruth quickly empties her apron again and comes to sit beside the reapers. Their meal is simple but smells wonderful. A loaf of bread is offered to her and she takes a portion of it for herself. Boaz passes her some roasted grain. Ruth ate until she was satisfied. It had been quite a while since she had such a large meal before her. She can’t possibly eat everything she was given so she wraps the remainder of her meal in a cloth and leaves it beside her stalks of grain. As soon as she deposits her small package she goes right back to work.

Boaz secretly watched her as she ate and returned once again to her task. He is very pleased with what he sees. She is a worthy worker. He wants to do more for her. Boaz calls his manager over. “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. And also pull out some from the bundles for her and leave it for her to glean, and do not rebuke her” (Ruth 2:15b-16).

The manager nods his head and walks into the field to speak with the men and women working there. He has them pass the word quietly as he does not want to injure Ruth’s pride. They all begin to be a little less thorough as they gather their stalks for their bundles. They try to keep this change from looking obvious as that would not go unnoticed by Ruth and she may think they are not through with the area.

Ruth is pleased she has been able to glean so much. She is careful to follow in the paths that have already been worked. The manager tells her that she may glean near the sheaves also. “There is much that falls free that must be left, least retying the bundles to include it we lose even more” he explains. Ruth nods her understanding and will glean the ground around the sheaves last each day so as not to impede their work.

The sun is descending behind the distant hills. It is harder to see as the light fades so Ruth decides to call it a day. She is hot and tired but grateful for all she has gathered. There is too much for her to carry back to her home so she decides to winnow it where she is. She removes her apron and stretches it out on the ground. She begins beating the stocks, a handful at a time, onto her outstretched apron. She spends another hour doing this before she is finished. She ties her apron securely and puts the small cloth with her left-over midday meal on top. She then carries it home to Naomi.

It is nearly dark by the time Ruth arrives home. Naomi has been concerned because she was gone so long but when Ruth enters their home the smile on her face melts all of Naomi’s fears. Ruth brings her apron to the table and places it there for Naomi’s inspection.

“Ima, come see what I have gleaned today” she says excitedly as she unties the corners.

Naomi’s eyes go wide as she sees the amount of grain. “Where did you glean today?” she asks with excitement. “And where have your worked? BLESSED be the man who took notice of you” (Ruth 2:19a).

“I was very blessed indeed Ima and the master of the field was very kind to me. The manager of the field told me the man’s name was Boaz. He even invited me to sup with them during their midday meal. Here, I have brought you what was left after my hunger was satisfied.” Ruth unwraps her second bundle and passes it to Naomi. Within lies roasted the grain and bread she had carefully saved.

“Oh daughter! This is enough for both of us. It will go well with the evening meal I have prepared.”

Ruth blushes as she realizes that Naomi had been waiting dinner for her. “I’m sorry for being so late in coming home Ima but there was so much work for me that I lost myself to it.”

“There is no worry. Let us sit and eat this bounty and we can talk more afterwards.”

Ruth reties her apron and moves it to the side while the meal is set out. They bow their heads and give thanks to the Lord for all He has provided them this evening. What was once a meager meal now feels like a banquet to the two women. They can’t stop smiling and singing its praises as they eat.

As Ruth is washing up and Naomi is readying the fire for bed they continue to talk of the day.

“The man Boaz, whose field you worked in today is a close relative of ours. ‘May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!’ (Ruth 2:20b). He is one of our redeemers.”

“He also said to me, ‘You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest’ (Ruth 2:21b). He has also told me that I may drink of the water the men have drawn and glean even among the sheaves.”

“It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted” (Ruth 2:22b).

“I am very blessed by his generosity! I will be certain to do exactly as he instructs. Now as for the grain, I must find time to grind it into flour. I’m certain it will make the most wonderful bread!”

“Let me worry about that task my daughter. I need something to keep my hands and mind busy with you away in the fields all day” Naomi says with a smile and a gentle pat on Ruth’s hand.

Morning breaks and Ruth again hurries to the field of Boaz. She immediately sets about her task of gleaning. Today she has brought a crust of bread she saved from her evening meal. She doesn’t want to presume that Boaz will invite her to sup with him and the workers again. She stops only once again in the morning hours to refresh herself with water from the jars brought by the men. Without the waterskin around her waist it is easier for her to bend and twist.

Boaz arrives a little before the midday meal and notices Ruth in the fields again. When the midday meal break is taken Boaz once again invites Ruth to join them. “Come join us again today my daughter.”

“Thank you for your hospitality. I have brought something for myself if I am being an inconvenience to you” she says.

“You are welcome at this table every day. It is no trouble and we enjoy your company.”

Ruth bows her head and again sits with the women who follow the reapers. She is welcomed in their presence and they begin to share stories with one another. Ruth saves a portion of her meal again to share with Naomi in the evening.

With the midday meal completed Ruth and the women return to their tasks. Ruth is staying closer to the women and they are able to talk while they work. Ruth finds joy in their presence and they in hers. Work continues until evening and once the women end their day Ruth goes to what she has gathered and begins beating it out again into her apron.

The manager has noticed that Ruth works late into the evening preparing her grain to take home. He is concerned about her walking home alone. He brings this concern to Boaz. “It is not safe my lord for her to be traveling back and forth alone each night.”

“I agree. Speak to one of the families that live near her. Have them walk with her each night to see that she arrives safely.”

“My lord, she stays long after the gleaning to thresh out her grain. The rest of the workers have already returned home by the time she finishes.”

“Have one of the women volunteer to help her so she doesn’t have to tarry so long. I will repay the kindness they show to her.”

“It will be done as you say. For this night I will provide protection for her as she returns home.”

As Ruth is tying up her bundles the manager approaches her. “I have been asked to accompany you on your journey back to your home. I would like to see you safely returned to your home.”

Ruth is touched by this offer as she doesn’t know the country well or how safe it is in the evenings. “Thank you for your kindness.”

The next day proceeds much the same, but as Ruth goes to prepare her gleanings for carrying home, one of the woman ask if she can help. “I see you toiling away so diligently I can’t help but offer a helping hand” she offers.

“It would make the work much quicker but I don’t want to delay you from your family.”

“This is not a problem as my husband is engaged in conversation and will be for some time” she says with a smile.

With the two of them beating the grain it is done quickly and Ruth has enjoyed the company during the task. “Thank you for your help. I will be glad to return home with light still in the sky tonight.”

The woman looks up and her husband notices they have finished. He walks over to join them. “Are you ready to leave my wife?” he asks.

“Just waiting on you my husband” she replies with a smile.

“Ruth, would you like to join us. We live very near the home of Naomi. We would be honored by your company.”

“I am exceedingly blessed by you this evening. May the Lord return the kindness you have shown me.”

Together the three of them walk home. Naomi is overjoyed to see Ruth return at a better hour and to have an escort as well. She offers the couple her thanks but has little more than a blessing to offer to express her gratitude.

This becomes the norm for Ruth’s days as the harvest continues: rising early in the morning, staying close to the woman who work in Boaz’s field, supping with them during the midday meal, threshing her grain with her new friend after finishing their day’s work, and walking home with this lovely couple. Ruth has surmised that the husband is not always engaged in talking but in waiting until Ruth’s work is finished before collecting his ‘waiting’ wife. Naomi grinds the grain into flour and bakes weekly gifts for Ruth’s new companions, who graciously accept them.

Sabbaths are a day of rest each week where Ruth and Naomi can enjoy each other’s company all day. There is much to give thanks for each Sabbath. Ruth has brought enough grain home that Naomi is able to trade for the simple staples they need for their lives. One of those staples wakes Ruth each morning with its cackling; their new hen.

Life is still hard. Ruth works from first light to late evening six days a week but she is happy. She can care for Naomi. Her love overflows on her every evening as she shares her day with her. She even talks Naomi into letting her braid her hair at least once a week.

The barley harvest is completed and the reapers have moved onto the wheat harvest. Ruth still gets up early, with the chicken, and goes into Boaz’s field to glean. She is there until after sunset gathering and threshing grain that she faithfully brings home to Naomi. No matter how tired she is, there is never a cross word or a frown upon her face. She also is never very long without a song.

Ruth has been working in the fields for about a month and a half. Her hands are dry and cracked and stained with dirt. Naomi notices her hands and remembers the smoothness of them from before. They were never the soft hands of a woman of leisure but neither were they the hands of a farmer. Naomi also notices the stiffness in Ruth’s shoulders and back that she tries to hide each night. “Ruth is working herself to death on my account. Her beauty will be gone and her spirit ground into dust if I don’t do something, soon” she thinks.

The barley harvest has finished. This is the first day that Ruth did not go directly to the fields to glean. Ruth spent the day working on repairs that had been left undone while she tended to their desperate need for food.

As Ruth takes a break to sit with Naomi for the noon day meal, Naomi thinks, “It’s time to think about Ruth’s future.” As they sit at table together for their meal Naomi broaches the subject that has been weighing heavily on her heart. “My daughter you are working too hard! ‘Should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?’ (Ruth 3:1b).”

Ruth starts to object but Naomi raises her hand to still her. “Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were?” (Ruth 3:2a). Ruth nods and Naomi continues with outlining her plan. “See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do” (Ruth 3:2b-4).

Ruth has been intently listening to everything Naomi has been saying. She knows Naomi’s heart is fixed on only good for her. “I will do exactly as you have instructed Ima.”

The two women leave the table to begin the preparations. THIS night may well determine both their futures. Naomi goes to warm some water for Ruth to bathe while Ruth gathers clean garments. After Ruth finishes washing, Naomi carefully braids her hair for her and anoints her with perfume she had received from Elimelech on her wedding night. This is a very special night for Ruth.

Naomi looks Ruth over once more before kissing her on the cheek and sending her out the door. “May the Lord watch over you tonight daughter and repay all the kindness that you have lavished on me.”

Ruth is nervous as she makes her way to the threshing floor. She is both excited and scared at the same time. “What if he rejects me? What if someone sees me? What if I make a fool of myself or embarrass him? But what if he accepts me? What if he is the Lord is giving me a new future? Oh! I wish I knew what will happen!” All these thoughts run through her mind and heart as she slips into a dark corner near the threshing floor. Her cloak is large enough to conceal her from sight as she watches the men at work.

Boaz, his manager and two servants are working the barley from the harvest. They are beating the grain on the ground and drawing a flat cart across it to break the husks. After several rounds with the cart the grain on the ground is sifted into the air where the breeze catches the chaff and blows it away while the grain settles back on the ground. They then gather up what remains and pile it into a heap. Boaz’s fields have yielded much this year and his heap is already of considerable size. There will be several that will stand nearly as tall as he is by the end of this night.

Once tonight’s grain is heaped the men sit down to a well-earned rest and meal. They are all tired from their work but in good spirits. Laughter and wine flow around the circle as they relax and enjoy one another’s company. After their meal is finished the two workers take their leave and go home. Boaz and his manager will be staying with the grain tonight to guard it, least thieves break in and steal it.

Ruth has been watching the whole time from her hiding place. She smiles at the way Boaz laughs. He has a big hearty laugh that lights up his whole face. He treats his servants well. It is easy to see that they love their master and would do anything for him. “He is a good man; a worthy man” thinks Ruth. “I will be very careful and not dishonor him.”

Boaz and his manager both gather their blankets and choose a spot on the threshing floor to sleep. It is a large floor and they each choose an end. Ruth watches carefully to ensure she approaches the right man. After the light has been extinguished Ruth still waits. She remains hidden until she hears sounds of sleep coming from both ends of the threshing floor.

Holding the hem of her skirts, Ruth silently makes her way around the edge of the threshing floor to the place where Boaz sleeps. Once she reaches the place where Boaz sleeps, she settles herself at his feet. Very gently she lifts is blanket from off of his feet and then silently lies down to wait. She doesn’t know how long she will have to wait but she is determined to wait in silence. She isn’t worried about falling asleep herself because she is too nervous. Her heart is beating so loudly she fears it may wake Boaz on its own.

After about two hours Boaz suddenly sits up. It is close to midnight. He was awoken by something but he isn’t sure what it was. As he starts to settle himself back down, he notices someone at his feet! “Who are you?” (Ruth 3:9a) he whisper/shouts.

“I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer” (Ruth 3:9b) she replies in a hushed voice.

Tears well up in Boaz’s eyes. He is overwhelmed by Ruth’s request. He has wrestled with his feelings for her since the day he first saw her in his field. She is a beautiful woman who could easily have any man she set her sights on. He knows that he is not a young man any longer and not the most handsome either, yet she is choosing to follow, and call upon, the traditions of the redeemer instead, and choosing him as her redeemer. She is a woman of integrity and love. His heart swells with love for her and pride that she has made this request of him. “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman” (Ruth 3:10-12a).

Ruth breaths out a sigh of relief and happiness. It seems she hasn’t breathed since speaking her name to him.

Boaz next words stop her breath again. “And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it” (Ruth 3:12b-13a).

“Who could he be speaking of” she wonders. “Oh, please don’t reject me. My heart has already opened to you while in the fields but I dared not speak of it. I want no other” she pleads silently.

“But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning” (Ruth 3:13b).

Boaz’s last words loosen the hand of fear that had taken hold of Ruth’s heart. She is able to breathe again; but just barely. She knows hers and Naomi’s future will be secure, but what of her heart? Will the man she has grown to love be the one who will take her as his own, or will it be a stranger? She will do whatever the Lord wills but she prays her heart will not be broken in the obeying.

Ruth sleeps in snatches. Excitement and fear wrestle one another in her heart and mind until morning. She forced herself to lie still so as not to disturb Boaz. Little does she know he did the same from his position. These same two emotions are running through him as well.

Boaz prays that the closer redeemer will choose not to act on his right. He has come to love Ruth. He had never acted himself because he was certain she would have preferred another. “Oh Lord, please give me the opportunity to love this woman as my own. She has seen so much sorrow in her life, yet it has not dampened her soul. Her presence lifts my soul whenever she is near. Would that I could bask in her presence daily and share with her how she touches me.”

As the day is first beginning to lighten, Ruth rises from the floor. She wants to be gone before anyone can recognize her. Boaz hears her stir and rises with her. They both know it could raise a scandal if she is seen leaving the threshing floor. Boaz is determined to protect her reputation. He sees the eyes of his manager watching them. He looks him directly in the eye as he speaks. “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor” (Ruth 3:14b).

His manager nods in agreement and willingness to follow his command. The two of them will talk once Ruth has safely left.

Boaz turns back to Ruth with a smile. “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out” (Ruth 3:15a). As she holds her cloak out, he scoops out barley from the heap into her cloak. He puts as much in his two cupped hands as he can, SIX times before he stops. Any more and the cloak may be too heavy to carry or spill over. Ruth watches in amazement as her cloak is filled. Boaz finally dusts his hands off and ties the corners of her cloak together. “You can’t go home to your mother-in-law empty handed” he says with a smile and hands her the wrapped bundle.

Ruth quietly leaves the threshing floor and heads home to Naomi, making sure she is not observed as she leaves. She wraps her bundle in both arms as its weight is more than she is used to carrying for long distances. She can’t wait to show Naomi the gift Boaz has given her, and to tell her EVERYTHING about her night!

As soon as Ruth is gone Boaz and his manager gather to talk. The manager has long suspected that his master’s heart favored Ruth. “She has asked me to exercise the right of redemption. I am most eager to fulfill her request but I must ascertain first if that right is mine or another’s. Tell no one she was here tonight. I want her name to remain pure for she has done nothing to dishonor it.”

“Never will it be heard from me my lord. I would be honored to call her my lady. I look forward to hearing the answer too.”

Naomi is already up when Ruth returns home. She slept little last night too. She is anxiously awaiting news. As soon as Ruth walks through the door Naomi knows it is good news. “Tell me what happened” Naomi urges as she ushers Ruth into the room.

Ruth goes straight for the table and puts her burden down. “I was so nervous I thought I might not be able to move when I first arrived. I did exactly as you instructed me. I waited until I knew everyone was asleep before even attempting to move from my hiding spot. Boaz discovered me at his feet in the middle of the night and I asked him for his covering as my redeemer.” She stops here to fuss with the knots in her cloak.

“Go on daughter! What did he say?”

“He said that there is another who is closer and that he who would have first right of redemption.”

“OH!” Naomi gasps. “I’m sorry. I should have realized.” Naomi is crestfallen. She has put Ruth through a very humbling ordeal, simply to be told she has asked of the wrong person.

Ruth smiles and then continues her tale. “He said that he was going to find out this other’s intentions and if he didn’t claim the right, that he, Boaz, would claim it ‘as surely as the Lord lives’ he said!”

Naomi is overjoyed at this news. Even if the other does claim the right of redemption, Ruth’s future is assured. She will no longer be a widow. They will once again have the covering of a husband as the Lord had intended.

Ruth finishes untying the knots in her cape and opens it. “Boaz insisted that I not return to you empty handed. He sent me away with this gift” she says pointing to the mound of barley heaped in her cloak.

“OH MY! He IS serious about you!” Naomi is even more excited for Ruth now that she has tangible proof of Boaz’s heart towards Ruth. “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter TODAY” (Ruth 3:18; emphasis added).

Ruth and Naomi embrace. Ruth will wait with Naomi at home today. They will wait patiently, but excitedly for word to come from Boaz. They will also both rest this morning for a little while as neither were successful in sleeping last night. They are secure in the knowledge that the Lord has seen their struggle and is working on their behalf.

(to be continued)

Ruth’s faithfulness did not go unnoticed. Word had spread, as it always does in a small town, about what had happened. I don’t know if Naomi shared their full story, but what she did share was enough to get people to recognize Ruth; a jewel of a woman. Her beauty shown through in everything she did.

Father God, I pray that I can be Your ‘jewel’ too. Right now, I’m in a polishing phase. Rough edges are being ground away through the trials I’m ‘bumping into’. Please give me Your strength so I won’t crack, but shine Your light even more.

I know that YOU brought that analogy to my mind right now Lord. I’m trusting You to work it in my life. I want to be YOUR jewel in the setting YOU designed for me.