Judges 2
Ruth 2 describes how the Moabite woman Ruth settled in Bethlehem in Israel together with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and then gathered grain from the fields to make a living. This chapter can be divided into three parts. First, the background in which Ruth happens to come to the field of Boaz (Verses 1-7), second, the story of how Boaz shows consideration for Ruth and protects her (Verses 8-16), and third, the portion where Ruth tells Naomi about her experiences that day and hope begins to take root for the future of the two women (Verses 17-23).
1verseThe LORD’s angel came up from Gilgal to Bochim. He said, “I brought you out of Egypt, and have brought you to the land which I swore to give your fathers. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you.
2verseYou shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land. You shall break down their altars.’ But you have not listened to my voice. Why have you done this?
3verseTherefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.’”
4verseWhen the LORD’s angel spoke these words to all the children of Israel, the people lifted up their voice and wept.
5verseThey called the name of that place Bochim, and they sacrificed there to the LORD.
6verseNow when Joshua had sent the people away, the children of Israel each went to his inheritance to possess the land.
7verseThe people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of the LORD that he had worked for Israel.
8verseJoshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being one hundred ten years old.
9verseThey buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath Heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, on the north of the mountain of Gaash.
10verseAfter all that generation were gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who didn’t know the LORD, nor the work which he had done for Israel.
11verseThe children of Israel did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, and served the Baals.
12verseThey abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger.
13verseThey abandoned the LORD, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.
14verseThe LORD’s anger burned against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.
15verseWherever they went out, the LORD’s hand was against them for evil, as the LORD had spoken, and as the LORD had sworn to them; and they were very distressed.
16verseThe LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.
17verseYet they didn’t listen to their judges; for they prostituted themselves to other gods, and bowed themselves down to them. They quickly turned away from the way in which their fathers walked, obeying the LORD’s commandments. They didn’t do so.
18verseWhen the LORD raised up judges for them, then the LORD was with the judge, and saved them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for it grieved the LORD because of their groaning by reason of those who oppressed them and troubled them.
19verseBut when the judge was dead, they turned back, and dealt more corruptly than their fathers in following other gods to serve them and to bow down to them. They didn’t cease what they were doing, or give up their stubborn ways.
20verseThe LORD’s anger burned against Israel; and he said, “Because this nation transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not listened to my voice,
21verseI also will no longer drive out any of the nations that Joshua left when he died from before them;
22versethat by them I may test Israel, to see if they will keep the LORD’s way to walk therein, as their fathers kept it, or not.”
23verseSo the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily. He didn’t deliver them into Joshua’s hand.
Ruth’s Commitment and Boaz’s Kindness
In this chapter, Ruth’s humility and diligence are clearly shown. In an unfamiliar land, she works faithfully for herself and for her mother-in-law. The character of Boaz provides outstanding mercy and kindness to widows and to Ruth, a foreigner, and becomes an example of “kindness” in the Bible. Boaz respects Ruth, ensures her safety, and also considers it so that she can bring along an ample amount of the harvest.
God’s Providence and Grace
The event in which Ruth “happens” to gather grain in the field of Boaz (verse 3) may look like an accident on the surface, but it contains God’s providence in caring for Ruth and Naomi. As human choices and labor, together with God’s unseen guidance, intertwine, a new spark of hope rises in Ruth chapter 2.
Meditation Points
- We reflect on whether, like Ruth, we can remain faithful and humble even in unfamiliar circumstances where we find ourselves.
- Boaz’s kindness and care offer us a new perspective on how to treat our neighbors today. We think about whom we can show kindness to.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Remembering that even the small “accidents” we encounter in everyday life can be God’s guidance, we can live with gratitude and expectation in everything.
- We consider practically what ways we can help difficult neighbors or unfamiliar people with practical consideration and love.
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