Whose Damsel is This? Ruth 2:5 - Equipped for Battle

We left our story with Ruth gleaning in the field that just happened to be Boaz' who was a kinsman of Elimelech Ruth's deceased father-in-law. She was there with hope to find someone who owned a field that would be gracious to her and allow her favor to gather barley. While she worked, Boaz came to his field and greeted his workers there with beautiful words, “The LORD be with you” to which they responded, “The LORD bless you.” Today we continue our story with Boaz noticing Ruth for the first time. In chapter two and verse five we read:

Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel [is] this?

Let's take a stroll through our imaginations and get the picture here. Boaz has greeted his workers, and they have greeted him. As he is looking over his field he notices across the way a young lady whom he has never seen before. She is striking, and if there could be such a thing as “love at first site”, Boaz was consumed with intrigue. As he gains his thoughts, “Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers.” In other words, he asked his supervisor over the field about the one in the site of his eyes. We might imagine that Boaz drags and slurs his words as he desires to know who this beautiful person is. Isn't it amazing how the whole idea of this seems so natural and yet at the same time we cannot help but believe that God has His hand in this whole scenario?

Boaz asks, “Whose damsel is this?” Notice that he uses the word “damsel” which means “girl, female servant, little girl”. To Boaz Ruth is young, and she has caught his attention. He desires to know to whom she belongs, and with a possible hope and passionate interest in his voice, he wants clarity in his possibilities. Could she be available? Might she be someone that he could have? Would there be any interest in him if he should show interest in her? Can we see the beginning of the romance? Hopefully so.

Boaz becomes a beautiful type of Jesus Christ in this story. As Jesus looks upon those who glean in the field of the world, he has interest in them. He notices them, and he desires to have a relationship with them. The ones who glean in the world are us, and the owner of the field is very interested. Ruth becomes a type of the bride of Christ, Jesus' church. As we continue the story, we must keep in account the fact that God Almighty has been at work behind the scenes, and although these may seem like very natural circumstances of life, God is orchestrating the entire engagement. He does the same with us, and though we cannot see all of His plan, He as a kinsman redeemer notices us in His field, and the question asked by Boaz is as relevant for us as it was with Ruth: “Whose damsel is she?” To whom do we belong, and is there a possibility of having fellowship with us? Only we can answer His question, and as we continue to study this wonderful book, perhaps more and more insight will be gained about the one who came to redeem us from the world.

Next time we will see the answer of the supervisor to Boaz, and we will learn more of what a wonderful plan God is revealing here, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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