Ruth 2:18-23 – Redeemed to serve

In these verses, we are introduced to the Old Testament social structure of a kinsman redeemer. He was usually the closest relative to the family. Boaz was such a man since he hailed from the same tribe as Elimelech. In the Old Testament laws, we see the responsibilities of a kinsman-redeemer being defined. Firstly, in Leviticus 25:25, it is stipulated that he had the right to recover the forfeited property of a relative. Secondly, in Leviticus 25:47-49, we are told that when a relative had become a slave, it is the duty of the kinsman-redeemer to ensure his liberty. Thirdly, in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, when a brother died without leaving a male heir, a kinsman-redeemer was to marry his widow and help the dead relative to raise children in his name. In Numbers 35:29, the kinsman-redeemer was also responsible to avenge the murder of a dead family member of a relative.

Having been richly blessed, Ruth returned to the city with all the yield that she had reaped from the field of Boaz. Generously, she shared whatever she had brought back with Naomi, her mother-in-law. Amazed by the plentiful harvest she brought back, Naomi pronounced a blessing over her. This is probably in recognition of her hard and diligent work. She, at the same time, inquired about the owner of the field that Ruth had harvested from. When told that it was Boaz, Naomi responded by pronouncing a blessing over Boaz. For he was a close relative of her husband Elimelech, and hence, was a kinsman-redeemer.  

Ruth then excitedly narrated to her mother-in-law how kindly Boaz had treated her. He even invited her to stay close to his servants till the end of the harvest. Of course, Naomi was thrilled by the news. She was confident that Boaz, who was a righteous man would protect Ruth and not allow her to be harmed or bullied so long as she remained to work in his field. So Ruth was protected by Boaz and she stayed close to all his maids who were working in the field. She even worked through the barley harvest and when the wheat harvest came along, she continued to work in Boaz’s field. Verse 23 is telling. We are told that all the while she stayed committed to Naomi, her mother-in-law.  

What can we take away from these six verses? Just as Boaz invited Ruth to stay and worked in his field, so also has the Lord Jesus our kinsman-redeemer invited us to work in His field. Hear what He says to us in John 4:35, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.^” Then in the first part of verse 38, He commissioned us saying, “I sent you to reap….” Beloved, we are called to go and glean in the Lord’s vineyard. There are so many people ready for the Gospel but the laborers are few. Let’s hear God’s plea for workers. And as we obey His call to serve, let us adopt the work attitude that Ruth had. She stayed in the field continually and worked till the task was completed. Yes, we must emulate her attitude.