Divine Kindness in Ordinary Life (Ruth 2:1-23)
Ruth Chapter 2 is a beautiful story about how God works behind the scenes in our everyday lives. After the sadness and loss we saw in Chapter 1, this chapter brings a glimpse of hope. Ruth, a foreign woman in a new land, takes a brave step—and what happens next is nothing short of amazing.
Let’s walk through the chapter together and see how kindness, faith, and God’s plan all come together.
Ruth Takes a Step and Meets Boaz
As the story begins, we’re introduced to Boaz. He’s a wealthy and respected man in Bethlehem, and he’s related to Naomi’s late husband. This is important later on, but for now, we just know that he’s a good man.
Ruth decides to go out and gather leftover grain in the fields. This was something poor people were allowed to do at the time. She didn’t sit around waiting for help—she took action.
And here’s where things get interesting: Ruth just happens to end up in Boaz’s field. It looks like a coincidence, but the Bible is showing us that God is guiding her steps.
Boaz Shows Kindness to Ruth
Boaz comes to the field and greets his workers kindly. Right away, we see that he’s a man of good character.
When he sees Ruth, he asks who she is. The field manager tells him how hard she’s been working and how she came with Naomi from Moab. Boaz is impressed.
He walks over to Ruth and speaks kindly to her. He tells her to stay in his field, promises to protect her, and even makes sure she has water to drink. Ruth is amazed by his kindness, especially since she’s a foreigner. But Boaz says he’s heard all about how she cared for Naomi—and he blesses her for it.
Generosity and a Good Meal
Later, Boaz invites Ruth to eat with him and the others. This is a big deal. He’s not just being nice—he’s treating her with respect and welcome.
Then, he goes even further. He tells his workers to leave extra grain behind for Ruth to pick up. She works hard and ends up gathering a large amount—enough for many days of food.
Naomi’s Joy and a Glimmer of Hope
Ruth returns home and shows Naomi how much food she gathered. Naomi is amazed. When Ruth tells her the man’s name is Boaz, Naomi gets excited.
She blesses Boaz and explains to Ruth that he is a close relative—a “kinsman-redeemer.” That means he might be able to help their family in a big way.
Ruth keeps working in Boaz’s field through the harvest season. She stays committed, loyal, and hardworking.
What Can We Learn from Ruth 2?
This chapter is full of lessons that still speak to us today:
- God is always working, even when we don’t see it. Ruth just “happened” to be in Boaz’s field, but we know God was guiding her.
- Small steps of faith can lead to big blessings. Ruth didn’t know what would happen when she went to glean. She just did the next right thing.
- Kindness matters. Boaz didn’t have to go out of his way, but he chose to be generous and compassionate.
- Hope can be restored. Naomi, who was bitter and broken in Chapter 1, begins to hope again.
Closing Thoughts
Ruth Chapter 2 reminds us that God often uses simple, everyday moments to move His plans forward. Whether we’re like Ruth—stepping out in faith—or like Boaz—blessing others with kindness—we all have a part to play.
And for Naomi, this chapter is the start of a new season. God hasn’t forgotten her story—and He hasn’t forgotten yours, either.
Ruth 2:1-23 (WEB)
2:1 Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz. 2 Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I find favor.”She said to her, “Go, my daughter.” 3 She went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.4 Behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “May the LORD be with you.”They answered him, “May the LORD bless you.”5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, “Whose young lady is this?”6 The servant who was set over the reapers answered, “It is the Moabite lady who came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab. 7 She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came, and has continued even from the morning until now, except that she rested a little in the house.”8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Don’t go to glean in another field, and don’t go from here, but stay here close to my maidens. 9 Let your eyes be on the field that they reap, and go after them. Haven’t I commanded the young men not to touch you? When you are thirsty, go to the vessels, and drink from that which the young men have drawn.”10 Then she fell on her face and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take knowledge of me, since I am a foreigner?”11 Boaz answered her, “I have been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father, your mother, and the land of your birth, and have come to a people that you didn’t know before. 12 May the LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given to you from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”13 Then she said, “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, because you have comforted me, and because you have spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not as one of your servants.”14 At meal time Boaz said to her, “Come here, and eat some bread, and dip your morsel in the vinegar.”She sat beside the reapers, and they passed her parched grain. She ate, was satisfied, and left some of it. 15 When she had risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and don’t reproach her. 16 Also pull out some for her from the bundles, and leave it. Let her glean, and don’t rebuke her.”17 So she gleaned in the field until evening; and she beat out that which she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. 18 She took it up, and went into the city. Then her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned; and she brought out and gave to her that which she had left after she had enough.19 Her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? Where have you worked? Blessed be he who noticed you.”She told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.” 20 Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not abandoned his kindness to the living and to the dead.” Naomi said to her, “The man is a close relative to us, one of our near kinsmen.”21 Ruth the Moabitess said, “Yes, he said to me, ‘You shall stay close to my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’ ”22 Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his maidens, and that they not meet you in any other field.” 23 So she stayed close to the maidens of Boaz, to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and she lived with her mother-in-law.