2:1-2 Naomi's plan is to find acceptance from her remaining family, a relative of her late husband. The relative's name is Boaz and he is a wealthy man. Ruth asks Naomi if she can go to Boaz's land; her intention is collect grain for Naomi and herself with his permission. Naomi allows Ruth to go.
2:3 In order not to steal, Ruth collects the grain left behind by Boaz's field men. We cannot skip over this evidence of Ruth's continued respectful character. Remember that she and Naomi are essentially homeless and certainly impoverished. Yet she only takes the scraps, the leftovers of what is left behind.
In Matthew 15:21-28 we read of a woman who, like Ruth, is not of the children of Israel. The people around Jesus mistakenly believe, and Jesus highlights this on purpose, that anyone outside of the children of Israel cannot be accepted into the family. Yet in the scripture, the gentile woman shows her genuine love and faith in God and is thus accepted by God as a legitimate daughter. Like the woman in Matthew 15, Ruth is not an offspring of Israel. But because of her faith, she is allowed the scraps - at first - because even those she cherishes, and is then welcomed to the full feast.
2:4 While she is there, Boaz himself comes out to the field and greets his workers. Our first words from Boaz are: The Lord be with you. Boaz's greeting is indicative of his faith. Even before his body enters, Boaz's words of faith greet the men. We learn that not only is Boaz wealthy, he is also (and more importantly) kind and faithful. He is respected by his workers, they greet him with returned blessing.
2:5-7 Boaz notices Ruth and asks one of his servants about her. The servant explains that the young woman came back with Naomi from Moab. He tells Boaz that Ruth asks if she could gather the scraps left behind by the harvesters. He also explains that Ruth is a hard worker. Except for a small moment of rest, she busily collected grain for her mother in law.
God loves a hard and generous worker! It is no coincidence that God placed Ruth in Boaz's sight and he in hers. It is a blessing for both Boaz and Ruth to be placed into the other's life.
2:8-9 Boaz and Ruth's love story begins: Boaz offers his field as well as his protection to Ruth. He offers her a place of rest and provision.
2:10 Ruth bows in gratitude to Boaz's generosity. In fact, Ruth is surprised by Boaz's kindness. A humble woman, Ruth does not understand what has qualified her for such an offer.
2:11 Boaz explains to Ruth that her reputation precedes her. She is known by many as a kind and loyal, selfless and humble soul. Everyone knows that Ruth had no legal obligation to stay with Naomi, who is in such desperate circumstances... yet she remained, and has earned deep respect for it.
Ruth and Boaz's budding love is genuine in that they come to love each other because of their character. Instead of physical attributes, their kindred souls connect them. Psalms 42:7 deep calls out to deep, the compassion in each of them creates a bond of familiarity, love and trust.
2:12 God's own generosity is evidenced in his delegation: God allows each of us to be agents of God of his generous will. Boaz has the means to provide for Ruth, and because Boaz loves God and attributes his success to Him, he offers himself as an instrument through which God can repay Ruth for her selfless kindness.
Reflect on Boaz's verbatim response: The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge. Boaz loves and understands God so much that he knows Ruth has identified herself as a child of God by her actions. And a child of God has full access to the refuge of His wings. Boaz is thrilled the be the one in a position to help Ruth, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.
2:13 Steadfastly humble, Ruth thanks Boaz for his comfort and seeks favor in the sight of God. It is a refreshing return to the embodiment of righteousness. The previous book of Judges was largely absent of such pure and innocent faith. Humility was nearly entirely absent. God has vast plans for Ruth and Boaz; their faith and righteousness propel them.
2:14-16 Boaz invites Ruth to a meal. As she eats, Ruth sets food aside to bring back to Naomi. During the meal, Boaz commands his workers to allow Ruth to gather whatever she needs from the fields and to leave her alone. Boaz offers protection to a woman in a society where/when women truly needed protection.
2:17-19 Ruth returns to Naomi with surplus: food from the meal as well as much grain. Naomi is immediately grateful and expresses a blessing for the one who so generously provided. Ruth explains that the generous man is Boaz.
2:20 Most importantly, Naomi's faith begins to awaken again. She remembers God who is faithful to His children who are alive and dead. Dead as in slumbering. For Naomi's faith was dormant, suppressed by her depression. She begins to remember the ability and love of God.
2:20-22 Naomi agrees that Ruth should remain under the protection of Boaz, a union orchestrated by God.
