Kindness and Care

Ruth 2

Most of the time, the phrase “you reap what you sow” is used in a negative way. It’s a warning not to be too mean, judgmental, stingy, or treat others badly in any way because you just might receive what you give to others. But here we see the positive side. When Ruth asked Boaz why he was being so kind to her, he said he was only returning the kindness she had shown to her mother-in-law. Sometimes it’s hard to treat others well, especially if we are going through something difficult ourselves. But knowing that we will eventually reap what we sow, should encourage us to be kind, caring, giving, or forgiving even when it’s hard.

Ruth and Boaz - Ruth 2

When God gave His people their own nation, He also told them how to set it up. One of the instructions He gave to landowners was for them not to pick up every crop from their fields. They were supposed to leave some for the poor and needy to gather. God knew there would always be widows, orphans, and those who were in need. So, He set up a way from the very beginning for them to have food. This gave them a hand without giving them a handout. Anyone willing to go out and gather would not be without (Leviticus 23:22).

Because the women had no men to provide for them, Ruth asked if she could go glean in the fields of whoever would have her. When Naomi agreed, Ruth happened to go directly to the field that belonged to Elimelech’s family member. Boaz was a man of great character, wealthy and prominent. She was unaware of the kinship, but God was not. It was by divine providence that Ruth asked to pick up scraps of grain in Boaz’s field out of all those around. Also, by no coincidence, Boaz came out into the fields on the outskirts of Bethlehem on that day, to check on his workers and his harvest.

Boaz immediately noticed Ruth and asked about her. Naomi must have spoken highly of her because the man in charge of the fields explained that she was the woman who had come back with Naomi after their husbands passed away in the land of Moab. Then, he praised her too saying that she had been working all day, except for a brief rest in the shade.

After seeing Ruth’s desire to care for her mother-in-law, Boaz approached her to say that he wanted her to continue gathering in his field exclusively. He invited her to drink of their water when she got thirsty and said she’d be safe there because he’d warned the men not to bother her. His kindness towards her was overwhelming and she bowed to him asking why he was treating her so well, especially since she was a foreigner. He explained that he knew what she’d done for her mother-in-law after her husband’s death. He was touched by her kindness and wanted to repay her. She had left her own family to care for Naomi and he wanted to help. He also realized that by leaving her nation, she had left her gods. By choosing to live in Israel, she was seeking shelter from the Lord. So, Boaz prayed that He would also repay her kindness to Naomi and reward her for placing her faith in Him. It was a great comfort to Ruth to know that she and Naomi were provided for and that she was protected.