And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.” So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.
(Ruth 2:15-17, NKJV)
We’ve focused mostly on Naomi and Ruth, but today, let’s take a closer look at Boaz. As we’ve learned, he was a wealthy landowner and a relative of Naomi’s late husband. Those are facts. But as we read of his care for Ruth, we learn even more.
Boaz was a man of compassion. Yes, he was kin to Naomi, but only through marriage. And if you think about it, Ruth wasn’t really much of a relative at all—only by a technicality. But he saw this young woman in his fields doing her best to provide food for herself and Naomi. He appreciated her commitment to Naomi, and so he chose to help her.
He told his workers to treat her with respect (“do not reproach her” and “do not rebuke her”) and to intentionally drop pieces of choice grain for her to glean. In this way, he was able to protect her from ill treatment and provide better quality food.
I’d like to be more like Boaz. I’d like to think if I saw a need, I’d immediately work to provide for it. But I’m not nearly as observant as he was.
Lord, help me to see people in need. Help me to do something, give something to help provide for their needs. Let me have the compassion of Boaz. Amen.
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