Xanthe Hancox

Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, ‘Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favour.’ Naomi said to her, ‘Go ahead, my daughter.’ So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek. Ruth 2:2-3

Gleaning was an ancient tradition that ensured none of the harvest went to waste, as well as providing a way for poor people to find food. It was so important that God gave a clear instruction to the Israelites about gleaning: “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner.” (Leviticus 19:9-10).

Much like today however, just because the law was in place did not mean everyone obeyed it. Lots of owners prohibited gleaning, and often gleaners were ridiculed, taunted, and even verbally and physically assaulted.

Ruth would have known all this. She was a young widow in a foreign country, and she knew she was putting herself at tremendous risk venturing out to glean in the fields.

But Boaz turns out to be righteous: he respects his workers and ­acknowledges Ruth’s kindness in staying with Naomi and gleaning grain for her. Further, Boaz tells his workers to go beyond the letter of the law as stated in God’s Word; he gives willingly from his abundance to help Ruth and Naomi.

Ruth’s search for food points out two important principles. Firstly, God wants us to be compassionate. The needs of Ruth and Naomi were met because landowners followed God’s instructions to leave excess grain in the fields. Secondly, the Lord rewards those who work. In this case, Ruth received a special blessing from the Lord for her kindness, initiative, worth ethic, and humility. No matter what our situation is, and whether we do paid or unpaid work, we need to follow godly principles.

Prayer: Wherever our feet take us, Lord, and whatever work we do, let us be compassionate. Amen.