Ruth chapter 2

vs 1

Boaz is either a man of wealth or a man of standing. I guess we all know that one can quite easily make the other, so there it is.

vs 2
This was supposed to be the normal process in the lands of Israel - it was a method of support for the widow and other unfortunate members of society. The word 'glean' is used in the older translations.

I haven't translated this far yet... wondering if I should wait till we've finished... but I've started now. I am interested to know what the term "in whose eyes I find favour" is like.

vs 3

"As it turned out" is a code word for saying "And so God made it happen" - it's one of the themes of Ruth that God works through happenstance. I think this makes it clear that Ruth didn't go looking to glean in the fields of someone who might "favour" to marry her or anything like that - it was more a case of finding someone who would allow her to just glean in their fields.

vs 4

Either this was a typical greeting between wealthy land owner and workers, or Boaz is well liked by his workers. It seems that the picture painted of him is a kind and thoughtful man who looks after others, so I've always liked the idea of the second one. After all, if it were simply a cultural thing, then it would be less likely to be written in - people who live in a culture tend to leave out things that they think are normal in writing - ceremonial washings and the like - unless they are trying to explain them to non-locals.

vs 5

Now, it depends on how you read it - either he saw a tasty bit of crumpet in the field and was asking about it, or he just had a care for his workers which is shown by him not recognising one of them.

Of course, Ruth, as a moabite woman, would probably show out like a sore thumb too.

vs 6

Now, Boaz would have heard all about that anyway, no doubt, but since Naomi was a relative (at least of the same clan) then he probably would have taken a special interest in the knowledge.

vs 7

Who knows how long that had been. Regardless, the idea is to paint a picture of a conscientious worker who is working hard not just for herself, but to support her widowed mother-in-law who is a relative of Boaz.

vs 8

Now, what are Boaz's intentions? Is it merely that he knows Ruth will be looked after if she stays in his field? Is he being nice to her because she is family (or a sort)? Or again, is he not wanting to lose his chance with the fine moabite tail? The more I think about it, the less likely the third one is going to be recorded for posterity.

vs 9

The fact that, in another field, Ruth may have been molested by male farm workers is just further testimony against the Israelites during the time of the judges, I suppose. Or perhaps he is being less sinister in his suggestion, and merely suggesting that normally such beggars were ejected from fields if they stayed too long.

vs 10

Ruth knows her position. I guess what she doesn't know is that Boaz is related.

vs 11

News travels fast.

vs 12

That is a very nice picture. Ruth has lost something akin to what Naomi has lost - a husband and therefore a livelihood, with no children to support her. That neither her nor Orpah had kids is just further testimony to God's leading (and perhaps punishment on Elimelech for taking his family out of Israel). The idea that God offers refuge to the widow, even the widow from a foreign land, is a very comforting notion. The idea that he also rewards the faithful is strong.