From bringing dinner to a friend who is ill to packing boxes for a ministry such as Feed My Starving Children, there are many ways we can serve others through the gift of food. Providing a meal for someone in need is certainly one of the most tangible ways we can demonstrate hesed to the people in our lives.

As we follow the story of Ruth and Boaz, we see this same type of generosity. When it was time for the midday meal, Boaz called to Ruth, “Come over here” (v. 14). She was likely keeping an appropriate distance until he surprisingly summoned her. The fact that Boaz ate with his workers showed his care for them. And when he invited this foreign stranger to join them, they were likely surprised. In ancient Israel, meals were about more than just filling the stomach. A shared meal was an act of hospitality.

Boaz instructed Ruth to enjoy the bread dipped in wine vinegar. He offered her nothing less than the best. After he served her the roasted grain himself. Ruth “ate all she wanted and had some left over” (v. 14). This detail demonstrates once again Boaz’s extraordinary compassion and generosity.

As Ruth returned to the fields, Boaz continued his care. Hesed upon hesed. First, he ordered his workers to care for Ruth psychologically—not to shame her in any way. Then, he instructed them to pull out extra stalks of grain and leave them for Ruth (vv. 15–16). This treatment would have been an unheard-of blessing.

This incredible scene ends with a simple summary of Ruth’s day. “So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening” (v. 17). This moment is pregnant with irony. Ruth must have been stunned by the extraordinary favor she received from Boaz. But she was still unaware of his full redemptive significance.

Donate to Today in the Word: https://give.todayintheword.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Samwise Gamgee demonstrates uncommon devotion to his friend Frodo. Sam sticks by Frodo through their arduous journey, and when his friend is too weak to finish, Samwise carries him up Mount Doom, iconically declaring: “I can’t carry it [the ring] for you, but I can carry you!”

In the book of Ruth, Boaz showed extraordinary care for the young foreign woman who providentially appeared in his fields. In verse 8, Boaz broke his conversation with the foreman and addressed Ruth for the first time—as “daughter,” which was beautifully significant. Despite her foreign status, he saw her as kin.

Some commentators believe that something happened to Ruth during her “rest in the shelter” (v. 7). The harvesters had possibly approached her in an unwelcome way, which drove her to leave. Boaz had to tell her twice not to go (v. 8). He instructed her to stay with his servant girls. The Hebrew word for “stay” is also used in Ruth 1:14 when Ruth was “clinging to” Naomi. It describes joining together in a continuing relationship.

Boaz then laid out a plan for Ruth’s ongoing care, offering her extraordinary access to the fields. She was to stick close to the other young women for camaraderie and protection. Boaz warned his workers to leave her alone and gave her special permission to drink water the men had drawn (v. 9).

Ruth was overwhelmed by his generosity. She bowed in humble gratitude and asked him why she should enjoy such favor. Boaz responded with glowing admiration. He had heard of Ruth’s sacrificial loyalty to Naomi, her act of hesed. He asked that Yahweh would repay and reward her kindness. He painted a powerful picture of the Lord’s ultimate protection over Ruth. Under God’s wing she would find refuge (vv. 11–12).

Donate to Today in the Word: https://give.todayintheword.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When an author presents a character, it can be done directly or indirectly. With direct characterization the author tells the audience what the character looks or acts like. With indirect characterization the author shows the audience what a character is like through dialogue and actions.

In chapter 2, we learn more about Boaz and Ruth. Verse 4 begins with the little transitional phrase “just then.” In the Hebrew, it carries a greater connotation than just timing. It denotes the suddenness and coordination that only the providential hand of God could orchestrate. God can work in an instant!

As soon as Boaz arrived, he greeted his workers with a blessing from God, and they called back the same to him (v. 4). This seemingly simple exchange says volumes about the sort of landowner and boss Boaz had been. He had clearly created a positive and respectful work environment, where he was in close communication with his harvesters, and God was revered. Immediately, Boaz noticed an unknown young woman in his field, and he asked his foreman to identify her. Ruth is again identified by her nationality—Moabite—and by her connection to Naomi, a widow (v. 6). These facts also qualified her to reap in the fields.

Then, the foreman described Ruth’s actions, also revealing a great deal about her character (v. 7). She had asked permission to glean behind the reapers, which was a respectful gesture, not required by the Law. Ruth had worked hard all day, “except for a short rest in the shelter.” The meaning of this final phrase is difficult to interpret. Given the entire context, some commentators believe that during this rest some other workers had accosted Ruth. We will explore this possibility in the coming days.

Donate to Today in the Word: https://give.todayintheword.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.