In Ruth 2:4-7 we are given a picture of Ruth, of who she is when others are watching. Later in the chapter, Boaz will comment on what he has heard and knows of her. I wonder do we think about what others see in us as we work and go about our daily lives, just as Ruth is gleaning in the fields.
In verse 4, Boaz comes to the field, we see that he is a godly man by the way that he address his workers with a salutation of blessing from the Lord. The workers reply with a blessing too, this tells us that Boaz was a good man to work for and respected by his workers. In verse 5, Boaz, notices Ruth, the bible doesn't tell why he notices her or by what means she stands out to him. Boaz asks his servant, "Whose damsel is this? Not who is she, but whose. This tells us he is looking to she to whom she belongs. In Bible times women were in the care of their fathers and husbands. He is wanting to know who she is but, does she belong to someone. The servant replies that, "It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab." Wow, could he have made it any plainer she is not one of them, a jew, she is Naomi's daughter in law. He goes on to talk about her. This may be his way of justifying way she is gleaning in the fields. Here is where we get a picture of Ruth.
The servant tells Boaz, that she asked permission to glean in the field. This shows that Ruth was respecting authority, yes, she had the Law in Leviticus 19:9-10: 23:22, given by God so that she had the right to glean. She was showing that she respected the land owners right to let her glean. I wonder how often we take advantage at work. Do we just expect things because we work there, not asking for permission when we need something or do we say it will be ok, no need to ask. We too, need to respect the authority that God has placed over us. I hope that when people ask about us, they can say that we are respectful to those God has placed over us.
Ruth was not only said to be respectful, but a hard worker. The servant tells Boaz that she has worked all day only stopping for a moment. We see that the servant is praising Ruth for being a hard worker. She is not complaining of the hard work, or gossiping with the others near by, or taking a coffee break every few minutes. Ruth is working hard gleaning barley by hand. It is back breaking job, up down, twisting what is not cut down. We see that Ruth knew she had a job to do, and she did it. What job do we have to do? Do we do it all for the glory of God?
I think Ruth was thankful, she knew God had given her a field to glean in. A field that she would be safe in and could work in peace. What job has God given you? Are you thankful for the job? Are you working hard at the job you have been given? If someone asked about you, would you be given a report like Ruth's a hard worker?
Galatians 6:9, "and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Ruth will reap may blessings for her hard work. She praised for being a hard worker in these verses. We know that later God will let her reap many other blessings. I hope that we to, are hard workers for the Lord in all we do, that we too, can reap the blessings of the Lord.
I hope that like Ruth God can say about us, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works", Titus 2:7.
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