Ruth Part 2

Here we see Ruth's humility and industry, gleaning in the fields, and here we see the compassion of Boaz. We also learn something about welfare and charity: The Israelites were instructed by God to care for the poor, not primarily by giving them handouts, but by providing them with an opportunity to labor. Gleaning was hard work. As Adrian Rogers put it: "What one person receives without working for, another must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else." Naomi had a wealthy kinsman, Boaz. But she didn't return to Bethlehem thinking, "Surely Boaz will provide for us." She knew that the Lord raises up some and casts down others. She did not expect a handout, and Ruth labored hard for their bread. We see also the providence of God in their lives. The things that seemed to happen "by chance" were according to an eternal plan of God that was going to result in Ruth being numbered among the ancestors of Israel's greatest king, as well as the King of all kings.