A Virtuous Woman

March 28, 2010

Lesson: Ruth 2:1–16

Key Verse: Ruth 3:11

Introduction (Ruth 3:11)

At Bethlehem, Ruth was sent to the field to glean during the harvest. Boaz, who owned the field and was a near kinsman of Elimelech, gave Ruth permission to glean throughout the harvest season. Ruth lived with her mother-in-law and helped provide for the household. Boaz was pleased with the conduct of Ruth and let her glean from the fields with his maidens. “So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest” (Ruth 2:23). Naomi would find Ruth a husband in the person of Boaz. Boaz found Ruth to be a kind and virtuous woman (Ruth 3:10–11). A virtuous woman is one of spiritual wealth and strength. She is defined in God’s book of Proverbs (Proverbs meaning what it is like—such as what it is like to be a child of God). What is a virtuous woman? “Her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands” (Prov. 31:10–13); and in verses 25–26 it is recorded that “Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” May husbands be worthy of such a woman and love our wives as Christ loves his Church.

Ruth was this virtuous woman. She would perform the part of a kinsman to both Ruth and Naomi. Boaz would be the redeemer-kinsman who would restore a household to Naomi, to purchase back the inheritance she had lost. Boaz testifies to the people that they are witnesses that he has bought all that belonged to Elimelech: “Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance” (Ruth 4:10). Boaz married Ruth and they had a son. The women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman” (Ruth 4:14).

We have not been left without a kinsman. Our Lord is our Redeemer-Kinsman. He has purchased us from the wrath of the Father through His own precious blood. He has given us an inheritance reserved in heaven for the children of God. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were… redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot… being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (1 Peter 1:18–23).

The Kinsman: Ruth 2:1–7

Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, “a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.” Ruth came to the field of Boaz in order to find help for herself and Naomi. She found more in Boaz, for he was a kind man who gave her food and drink and the protection of his reapers throughout the day. Ruth asked for the blessing of Naomi that she might glean the field of Boaz: “Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace.” Naomi said, “Go, my daughter.” The loving relationship between Naomi and Ruth grew as they saw each other as mother and daughter.

Ruth began to glean in the field, following after the reapers. What the reapers had left behind she was allowed to take. She then happened to come to the field belonging to Boaz; a happening which belongs to the providential care of God and not to the hand of chance. Boaz comes to the field from his home in Bethlehem, saying to the reapers, “The Lord be with you.” And they answered, “The Lord bless thee.” This exchange between Boaz and his reapers can carry a sincere desire for the Lord’s benevolent presence, or it can be just a word of greeting. The intent of the heart comes from the measure of grace that one receives from Christ. May Christians, when they ask God’s blessing upon another, ask with much feeling and expectation.

Boaz approaches the reapers and asks about this girl who is following them. Boaz’ servant answers, “It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab.” Ruth then speaks: “I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.” Ruth had asked the foreman of the reapers for permission to glean throughout the day that she might support Naomi and herself. Boaz welcomed the poor to his fields that they may glean after his reapers, so he would approve of this permission. Also, his concern for Ruth reveals his kindness toward those around him. The kinsman that the Lord had for Naomi and Ruth was one who had compassion.

Discussion: How would you describe the compassion of Boaz?

Grace is Found: Ruth 2:8–16

Surely Boaz had already known about Ruth. He was a kinsman of the husband of Naomi and most likely had welcomed her back. It would seem that he had already developed a feeling toward Ruth. Boaz responds to Ruth in the field, saying, “Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens.” He calls her to glean only from his field. There he can keep watch over her. He further admonishes her to follow after his reapers, claiming that he has already charged the young men not to harm her. He further encourages her in telling her that she may freely drink of his vessels.

Ruth falls on her face, bowing herself to the ground, saying to Boaz, “Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” Ruth had received an unexpected kindness. Boaz answers, “It hath fully been shown me, all thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law since the death of thine husband and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.” Boaz and Naomi must have had quite a talk about their sojourn to Moab. Ruth’s love for Naomi was shown in her help toward her, and in the giving up of her own people to embrace the people of God. The character of Ruth as a true child of the Lord comes out in her actions, toward both her newfound mother and the people with whom she now dwells.

Therefore, the response of Boaz can be nothing less than this: “The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” Ruth was now a child of God who could claim with the Lord’s people. “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings” (Psalm 36:7). Ruth would learn more of this kindness from Boaz.

Ruth replies to Boaz “Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.” The Christian can learn from the response. First, that kindness must be shown to the new child of God, with no thought of the place where one comes from. Second, that the new Christian receives the grace of God and his people with much thanksgiving. There must be in the congregation a desire to love one another as Christ loves us.

Boaz continues to bless Ruth with kindness, asking her to come to eat with his people. She did so and was satisfied. As she was about to leave, Boaz commanded his young men to let her “glean even among the sheaves.” Boaz further instructed them to let some fall from their hands purposefully, leaving them on the ground for Ruth to glean. This reveals his kindness toward Ruth, and his kindness toward the poor of Bethlehem, or the sojourner among them. His kindness toward Ruth grew for he saw in her the love she had for Naomi and her people.

Discussion: How would you describe the character of Ruth?

Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.