Meat for the Hungry

Sarahbmartin.wordpress.com Ruth 2:4-16 The sun was almost straight overhead when Boaz rode in from Bethlehem to oversee his harvest. He had carefully selected his reapers, knowing each worker by name. As a leader in Bethlehem, Boaz also knew the gleaners. However today, from atop his steed, he spied someone new. “The Lord be with you,” Boaz greeted his workers. “The Lord bless you,” they responded. Making his way to his servant in charge, he dismounted and asked, “Who’s the new gleaner?”

“So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor…” (Ruth 2:2) What little resources Naomi and Ruth may have brought from Moab had now dwindled to the point of desperation. Since a Moabite and an elderly woman have very little options to earn a living, Ruth decided it was time to try gleaning. Although Naomi wanted to protect her young daughter-in-law from the harsh realities of life, she knew she could not. There were dangers for women gleaners. Working in the extremely hot sun could cause sunstroke, dehydration and exhaustion. Many times, gleaners faced ridicule. However, in Ruth’s case, being a Moabite could also spawn mistreatment and abuse. 

“And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.” (Ruth 2:1 KJV) Boaz, whose name means in him is strength, was a kinsman or relative of Elimelech, connected by blood, marriage, or origin. However, in describing Boaz, God uses the Hebrew word chayil, pronounced khah’yil and translated wealth. Strong’s gives the probable definition of chayil as a force, whether of men, means, or other resources and the King James Version portrays Boaz as a mighty man of wealth. This indicates Boaz had not only money, but power and great respect in Bethlehem.

In relationships, when there is a rift and reconciliation has occurred, isn’t there a lifting of your spirit, joy in your heart, and an overall good feeling? This was the resident attitude of Bethlehem in Ruth 1:19-22. Because they repented, Bethlehemites were now harvesting barley. Jehovah-jireh, the Lord our Provider, had forgiven their transgressions, sent rain and caused their crops to grow. It was a joyous time of hard work; work Bethlehem had not had in much too long. Into this place and mindset, Naomi and Ruth stepped.