Behold Boaz Came Ruth 2:4 - Equipped for Battle

As Ruth ventured toward a field to reap, she had no idea what awaited her. Naomi, her mother-in-law, sent her out by faith with the hopes that she would find grace in her harvesting. Ruth happened to find the field of a kinsman of Elimelech named Boaz, and chapter two and verse four tells us more of this intriguing story. It says:

And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD [be] with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless you.

While Ruth is beginning her gleaning in the field, “behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem”. As an owner of the field Boaz did what most property owners do from time to time. He came to check on his field and discover the amount of harvesting that was occurring. Let us remember that Bethlehem means “house of bread”, and so Boaz came in effect from the place where bread was. Little did Ruth know that the provision of God for she and Naomi was riding into the very field within which she was reaping.

As Boaz arrived, he “said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you.” This statement alone gives us insight in to this man Boaz. We can say little that compares to a desire that the Lord be with someone else, and Boaz wishes this desire upon those who are working in his field. Boaz comes from a standpoint where God is central in his life, and since He is, he has a natural outflow toward others even if they are serving him by working.

The interesting part of this verse is the response of those who were reaping in Boaz' field. They answered Boaz, “The LORD bless you.” The reapers received a desire that the presence of God be with them, however, the reapers seem to assume or know that God is with Boaz. Their desire is that God who is with Boaz bless him. Between these two desires there is not much more that anyone could want for another person. That God's presence and blessing would be upon us is the greatest desires of all. With God's kingdom and righteousness placed first in our lives, we shall not lack in any area in which we live. With this being known, “The LORD be with you”, and you might respond to this writer, “The LORD bless you.”

Next time we will study Boaz as he notices Ruth for the first time, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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