4 Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” And they answered him, “The Lord bless you!” 5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” 6 So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. 7 And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.”
2:4
Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” And they answered him, “The Lord bless you!”
The word “behold” focuses attention on the arrival of the owner of the harvest field—Boaz. This emphasizes the arrival at the field of both Boaz from Bethlehem and Ruth at approximately the same time. This was a providential act of God. Each time the word “behold” occurs in the book of Ruth, it indicates the hand of God on the scene.
Note the relationship between Boaz and his workers—a tone of spiritual reciprocity. Their faith was active.
2:5
Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers [his foreman], “Whose young woman is this?”
Boaz recognized the presence of Ruth in his harvest fields. He asked to whom this worker belonged. The answer would either be her father/mother or her husband.
2:6
So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab.
The foreman put emphasis on Ruth’s heritage as a Moabite to highlight her Gentile background. However, he also indicated her connection to Elimelech (Naomi’s husband), which would tie her to Boaz himself. The answer to Boaz’s question was that Ruth belonged to Naomi.
2:7
And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves [bundles of grain tied together in stalks].’ So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.”
The foreman indicated that Ruth asked permission to follow the harvesters after they finished reaping. He pointed out her persistence and hard work.
PRINCIPLE:
Believing employers should establish a positive work environment for their employees.
APPLICATION:
All those who supervise others in their work should establish a positive work environment.
