I’m going to continue with thoughts from the study of Ruth, as I started in my last post. These past two weeks, I’ve been leading the study on Ruth 2. In this chapter, we are introduced to Boaz’s character, and we see him as being a worthy man, inquires about Ruth, meets her, and generously allows her to glean in his field. Throughout this story, we see God’s hesed – covenantal loving-kindness and faithfulness – even if it is not explicitly mentioned. The provision of gleaning in the law as found in Deut. 24: 17-22, shows how God has compassion for the poor, widow, and foreigner:
You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow’s garment in pledge, but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this. When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.
God makes practical provisions for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow – making sure that the people leave leftovers for them, instead of harvesting every single sheaf. He tells them to remember how they were once slaves in Egypt, as their compassion stems from remembering their own situation of being poor foreigners and being able to extend that compassion towards others in the same situation. These provisions show God’s great love and compassion for those who are poor, destitute, and outsiders.
While Israel often disobeyed this command to care for the poor, widow, and fatherless, Boaz shows how he follows God’s command, and gives even more than what is required to Ruth. In this way, Boaz demonstrate his abundant generosity to Ruth, as he even allows her to stay gleaning in his fields, and welcomes her to the table with his servants. Boaz is a vessel of God’s love and care for the outsider, as he welcomes Ruth, who is a foreigner, into his community and provides food and protection for her.
Boaz’ example challenges me to evaluate the ways I treat the poor, the helpless, and the outsiders. It challenges me to not be greedy, to not worry about every last penny, and to show compassion and give generously to those who are struggling and are in helpless situations. Living in a country where I experience so much abundance, there is a temptation to become comfortable in my abundance and safety, instead of thinking about the poor and suffering. Being a child of immigrant parents, who worked hard to rise out of poverty to give me a better life, I also want to remember their stories of hard work, struggle, and courage as they were foreigners in this country. As I remember their stories, and where they have come from, I am grateful for the amazing ways God has provided for me and my family, and want to be an avenue of blessing to others.
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