...of Ruth III

Ruth 2:13-23 NIV



Ruth has found favor in the eyes of Boaz, and she humbly thanks him by referring to herself as his servants but acknowledges that she does not have the same credibility of his servant girls. Boaz expresses more favor for Ruth by inviting her to dinner.

Ruth's portion was plentiful, so plentiful that she ate until she was satisfied and had some left-over. When Ruth went back to gleaning, Boaz instructed his men not to embarrass Ruth if she gathered from the sheaves. He told them to leave some stalks from the bundles for her to pick up instead.

When Ruth was done gleaning, she returned home to her mother-in-law, showing her what she'd gathered and then gave Naomi what was left from her dinner. Naomi then inquired about Ruth's location of gleaning. When she heard that it was Boaz, Naomi rejoiced because he was one of their kinsman-redeemers.

Kinsman-redeemer is the next eldest single brother or relative of the deceased husband who is to marry the widow.

Naomi then gave Ruth advice to continue to glean in Boaz's field. Ruth obeyed the advice and continued to live with her mother-in-law.

WOW! Ruth was awesome. Taking this book a few verses at a time is really convicting. Ruth's positive attitude toward her mother-in-law was beautiful in God's eyes. So He had Boaz invite her to dinner where she had "more than enough" to eat; Ruth did not "glean to the edges," therefore she had some to give her mother-in-law!

There was a time I was very upset with Anton sending his mother money. So on the next payday, I totally disregarded our budget and foolishly wasted our money. I validated my actions by saying that she was going to get it and do what she pleased so I will just spend it all before she gets to it. Ugh, so nasty and unChrist-like, I know.

God further rewarded Ruth when Boaz told his harvesters to leave some stalks from their bundles for her. Ruth continues to put me to shame when she obeys the advice given by Naomi to finish gleaning in Boaz's field! I have blatantly done the opposite of anything my mother-in-law advised, even if I had to go out of my way. Sad ain't it?

Finally, my big Sister Ruth makes me wonder if I really want to "be like her" because the chapter closes by saying, "...And she lived with her mother-in-law." Ruth 2:23 NIV Yeah but, did they get along? :)

Application #1: I will not glean to the edges of my field again so that I may share with my mother-in-law. No, better yet, so that I can GIVE to my mother-in-law. I choose to do this because I want to please God. Ephesians 4:28 1 Timothy 6:18 Hebrews 13:16 Galatians 6:7-10 Leviticus 23:22

Application #2: I will live in peace with my mother-in-law. Proverbs 14:30 James 3:18 Hebrews 12:14 Romans 12:18

Application #3: I will, with guidance from the Lord, seek and practice advice from my mother-in-law. 1 Kings 22:5 Proverbs 2:6 2 Chronicles 26:5