Ruth: Lesson 4 – Ruth Gleans

Ruth: Lesson 4 – Ruth Gleans

God Leads Us All, But Do We Always Follow Him?

Scripture Focus: Ruth 2:1-13 (NASB)

In this encouraging and faith-building lesson, Chris Pope examines the next chapter of Ruth's story. Ruth, a Moabite widow, asks Naomi for permission to go into the fields and glean grain behind anyone in whose sight she might find favor. This was God's provision for the poor in Israel, allowing them to gather leftover crops from the edges of the fields.

Ruth providentially comes to the field of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi's late husband. Boaz notices her, protects her, and shows her extraordinary kindness. He tells his servants to let her glean among the sheaves and even to deliberately leave extra grain for her. When Ruth asks why she has found such favor, Boaz tells her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know."

Chris asks a pointed question: God leads us all, but do we always follow Him? Do we trust Him? Ruth did not know what lay ahead when she left Moab. She did not know she would end up in the field of a kind relative. But she trusted God and followed Him one step at a time. And God was faithful to guide her to exactly where she needed to be.

This lesson challenges us to trust God's leading even when we cannot see the full picture. He is always working behind the scenes, directing our steps and providing for our needs.

Connect with Chris: Email: cpope@mydrsm.com Website: mydrsm.com

Scripture Focus:

Ruth 2:1-13 (NASB) – "Now Naomi had a relative of her husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, 'Please let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after one in whose sight I may find favor.' And she said to her, 'Go, my daughter.' So she went and came and gleaned in the field behind the reapers. And she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, 'May the Lord be with you.' And they said to him, 'May the Lord bless you.' Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, 'Whose young woman is this?' And the servant in charge of the reapers answered and said, 'She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab. And she said, "Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves." So she came and has remained from the morning until now; she has been sitting in the house for a little while.' Then Boaz said to Ruth, 'Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field; furthermore, do not go on from this one, but stay here with my maids. Keep your eyes on the field which they reap, and go after them. Indeed, I have commanded the servants not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the servants draw.' Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, 'Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?' But Boaz answered and said to her, 'All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know. May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.' Then she said, 'I have found favor in your sight, my lord, for you have comforted me and indeed have spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not like one of your servants.'"