With you. This blessing the Church still adopts in her service. (Worthington) --- It was customary to bless one another during harvest, Psalm cxxviii. 5, 8. (Calmet) --- Booz did, as Cato advises, Ne opera parcas visere; "See what is going forward." The master's eye makes the servants diligent. (Haydock). read more
1-3 Observe Ruth's humility. When Providence had made her poor, she cheerfully stoops to her lot. High spirits will rather starve than stoop; not so Ruth. Nay, it is her own proposal. She speaks humbly in her expectation of leave to glean. We may not demand kindness as a debt, but ask, and take it as a favour, though in a small matter. Ruth also was an example of industry. She loved not to eat the bread of idleness. This is an example to young people. Diligence promises well, both for this... read more
4-16 The pious and kind language between Boaz and his reapers shows that there were godly persons in Israel. Such language as this is seldom heard in our field; too often, on the contrary, what is immoral and corrupt. A stranger would form a very different opinion of our land, from that which Ruth would form of Israel from the converse and conduct of Boaz and his reapers. But true religion will teach a man to behave aright in all states and conditions; it will form kind masters and faithful... read more
In the Field of Boaz v. 1. And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a relative by marriage, according to Jewish tradition a nephew of Elimelech, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. His ability and influence were freely recognized in the community, both in war and peace. v. 2. And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field and glean ears of corn, of grain, after him in whose sight I shall find grace. That was a privilege granted to... read more
Ruth 2:2-17.The Reward of Faithfulness begins.2And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn1 after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. 3And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a [the] part of the field2 belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred [family] of Elimelech. 4And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord [Jehovah]... read more
Gleaning after the Reapers Ruth 2:1-13 In great desolation of soul, Naomi had returned. She was no longer the happy woman of earlier days. Ruth also must sometimes have experienced the depression of homesickness which often steals over the heart of the stranger. But the two women found solace where sad hearts will always find it, first in God and then in ministry to each other, 2 Corinthians 1:4 ; 2 Corinthians 7:6 . In fact, Ruth’s devotion to her mother became the common talk of the... read more
The women went home to poverty, where the practical problems of life faced them. These were, of course, rendered the more difficult by the fact that Ruth was a Moabitess. Yet she it was who faced the fight and went forth as a gleaner to gather what would suffice for their present sustenance. The human side of things is beautifully expressed in the words, "Her hap was to light on the portion of the field belonging unto Boaz." All the issues reveal the divine overruling. In this story of Ruth... read more
‘ And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favour.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” Israel, thanks to God’s Law, had its own social welfare system designed to ensure that no one living in the land would starve. When the fields were reaped any wisps of barley or wheat that fell to the ground were to be left there for the poor to gather, as was grain that was at the edges of the different... read more
‘ And she went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and her chance was to light on the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.’ Leaving the town to glean in the fields Ruth found a field where, having made enquiries of those working in the field, she was given permission to glean (Ruth 2:7). She therefore began to follow the reapers as they cut and gathered the barley, picking up any gleanings that were left. The reapers would be both men... read more
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George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:2
To me. It was the privilege of the poor and of strangers to glean, Deuteronomy xxiv. 19., and Leviticus xix. 9. Yet Ruth asks leave, through civility. (Calmet) --- This law is no longer in force, but it would be inhuman for the rich to deny this liberty to those who are in distress, and willing rather to work than to beg. (Tirinus) read more