“‘The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.’” (Ruth 2:12)

• The gleaning.

It was not Naomi, but it was Ruth, the Moabitess, who said to Naomi, “‘Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.’ And she said, ‘Go, my daughter’” (v. 2). Ruth went, and we read, “And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech” (v. 3).

Ruth and Naomi may have thought it was happenstance, that it was good luck, but we are sure that if Ruth had remained in Moab she never would have happened to any such a blessing as was about to be hers.

• Boaz on the scene.

Verse 4 tells us “Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, “‘Whose young woman is this?’” When he found out he said to Ruth, “‘You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women’” (v. 8 ). To the young men Boaz gave orders that she be permitted to glean among the sheaves. So far as Boaz was concerned it is evident that it was love at first sight. Let us, however, view this from a different perspective.

• Ruth’s confession.

Ruth, when Boaz addressed her, fell on her face and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, “‘Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?’” (v. 10).

Here is the attitude that every sinner should take as he comes to God. Ruth confessed herself a stranger and an alien. She made but one plea and that was a plea for grace. She knew that she had nothing by which to buy the favors of Boaz.

As we approach our Lord Jesus, let us say,

“Nothing in my hand I bring;

Simply to Thy Cross I cling.”

Guard your heart. Teach your children. Watch and pray.