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Outlines on the Book of Ruth
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson

Introduction: Ruth had come to Boaz' field, and what a superb place that was for a gleaner! There was no other place on earth where Ruth could receive the blessings that she received in the field of this rich redeemer. And, from this picture comes the message of God ringing down the ages that the best of all places for God's children is the center of God's will. Walking and laboring in the truth, which is set forth in his word, brings a full measure of joy and blessings.

3. With all our needs supplied in the right field, why should Ruth, or we, go to glean in another field?

B. Thus, Boaz impresses upon Ruth the importance of staying in his field by saying, "Neither go from hence:"

1. Boaz determined to supply all Ruth needed as long as she stayed in his field; but he guaranteed her nothing, if she wandered from it. So, for her own well-being he tells her not to leave his field.

2. We are gleaning in God's field of blessings for us when we walk in, "the faith once delivered to the saints" [Jude 5] submitted to his will for our lives, I John 2:17. It is when we depart from this blessed field that we rob ourselves of the blessings and protection found therein. Like the Galatians of Galatains 5:7, who once obeyed the truth, but then departed into disobedience, our spiritual lives fall into famine when we depart from the truth and his will for our lives. Therefore, let us do as Paul said, "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus, II Tim. 1:13.

C. With the last statement of verse 8, Boaz tells Ruth another truth that is essential to her well-being. He says to her, "abide here fast by my maidens:"

1. Ruth needed the fellowship of the right kind of friends, and Boaz knew that. Thus, he wanted her to spend her time in the fellowship of his people.

2. Our redeemer, Christ, wants the same from us, who are his today. No child of God can associate and fraternize with the world and its people, who are enemies of God (Eph. 2:16), and at the same time stay close to God and please him. The Bible says it: "...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God," James 4:4. A man whose thinking is right with God had best seek the fellowship of people with like mind, lest he find his right thinking supplanted by "the counsel of the ungodly," Psalm 1:1. David said, "/ am a companion of all them that fear thee, and keep thy precepts," Psalm 119:63. Ruth had said, "Where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people," Ruth 1:16. Thus Boaz, who represents Christ says to Ruth, "Abide here fast by my maidens."

 II. THE PROVISIONS FOR RUTH IN BOAZ' FIELD: RUTH 2:9

A. Boaz begins verse 9 by saying to Ruth, "Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them:"

1. The pronoun "them" is feminine and refers to the maidens mentioned in verse 8. While Ruth observes the boundries of Boaz' field, she can follow his maidens as they harvest it. As a newcomer in the field, Ruth could learn a great deal from the experienced maidens, as we can from older, more mature believers.

2. This statement embraces a poignant truth for each of us:

a. Ruth is first told to look, which involves her eyes. After looking, she is told to go, which is a command received through here ears.

b. The eyes and ears are the chief means of comprehension. Through them material for thought enters the heart, where it is considered. Upon consideration of what is seen and heard, intelligent decisions can be made and right action can be taken. Boaz first told Ruth to look, then upon consideration of what she saw, she was told to go.

c. This is the order of action that each child of God should follow. We should follow God and his people, just as Ruth followed the maidens; but we are not asked to do so blindly. We are only obligated to act after we have seen the truth in God's word. We are told in Ephesians 5:1, "Be ye followers of God as dear children"; but in order to do that, we must, by faith in God's word (Rom. 10:17), see the path; and only God's word can show us the path, for it is "a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path," Psalm 119:105. We can be "followers of that which is good" I Peter 3:13, only after we "prove all things" I Thes. 5:21), thus determining what the "good" is. Walking by faith necessitates first seeing the truth, Romans 10: 17. Thus, comes the beautiful statement of Boaz to Ruth, "Let thine eyes be on the field," then "go."

B. If Ruth will go after the maidens in Boaz' field, he guarantees to protect her: "Have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee?"

1. It is not difficult to see that the need and enthusiasm of the gleaners might cause them to come too close to the reapers, unless they were checked and restrained. Accordingly, the reapers kept a wary eye on the gleaners, and it was not uncommon for reapers to treat gleaners rudely, roughly, and unkindly, even bringing physical injury on them. Without this statement from Boaz, Ruth would doubtless have kept her distance from the reapers; but thanks unto this benevolent redeemer, Ruth could work close to the reapers in a position especially favorable for gleaning. And she didn't have to fear one rude jest nor the slightest mishandling from the workmen. What Boaz had done insured Ruth a good reward for her labors.

2. What a testimony of the grace that God bestows on his dear children! There is safety as well as satisfaction in the center of God's will. God promised Israel, "Wherefore ye shall do my statutes,, and keep my judgements, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety," Lev.25:18; and he promises us "there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus," Romans 8:1. A beautiful old hymn says, "I've anchored my soul in the haven of rest, I'll sail the wild seas no more; the tempest may sweep oer the wild stormy deep, In Jesus I'm safe evermore.". Folks, in Christ we are safe and secure and in his field no enemy can harm us, Romans 8:35-39, I Cor. 10: 13.

C. Boaz also promises Ruth water to satisfy her thirst: "When thou art a thirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn:"

1. Water for Ruth was a tremendous provision. Gleaning in the heat of Harvest time was a hot and thirsty work, and water in this era had to be drawn from wells, which were often some distance away. Ruth would need water throughout the day, and without this provision by Boaz, she would have had to stop and go for it, thus losing valuable gleaning time. Since the water had to be drawn from wells and carried to the job site, it was carefully guarded by those who drew it; and this poor stranger from Moab would have no right to it.

2. But, Boaz gave word to let her drink of the water that other laborers had drawn. Ruth was having her soul refreshed by the efforts of other laborers. In the work of God, it sometimes works this way. Jesus said in John 4:37-38, "one soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. " Many a discouraged laborer has been refreshed as he drank at the fountains of the victories of his co-laborers in the work of the Lord. Paul said, "We are labourers together with God," I Cor. 3:9. One may plant the good seed, another may cultivate it, and still another may reap it. The reaper partakes of the planter's and cultivator's labors; but they also share the credit for his reaping. When we are laboring to the glory of God (I Cor. 10:31), it matters not who gets the credit for labors in the Lord. When the interest is in the glory of God, selfish, personal interests fade away. Not one of us should fail to rejoice in and have our souls refreshed by the victories of our fellow laborers, and the nuggets of truth, which they have dug forth from the inexhaustible word of God.

 III. NOW, CONSIDER THE GRATITUDE OF RUTH FOR THE KINDNESS BOAZ EXTENDED TO HER: RUTH2:10

A. "Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground:"

1. Instead of making her proud, covetous, and greedy; the kindness of Boaz made Ruth humbly grateful. She exemplified the principle of grace that love stimulates the response of love. John said it this way: "We love him because he first loved us," I John 4:19.

2. Ironically, the love and gracious benefits of God to his people are sometimes met with pride and ingratitude. Like the ten lepers, who were healed in Luke 17:12-17, only one returns to say, "thank you." And, because of God's blessings, some behave as though they made themselves what they are, in spite of God's word which asks, "What hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" I Cor. 4:7.

3. But, God is honored when our response to his graciousness and generosity is like that of Ruth to Boaz. She "bowed", a sign of submission; and "fell on her face" before him, a sign of humility. "God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." I Peter 5:6-7. And, he that "exalteth himself shall be abased," but "he that humbleth himself shall be exalted," Luke 14:11; and that is demonstrated in Ruth, who humbled herself before Boaz. But, in the end, he lifted her up, and brought her to his house and made her his bride.

B. After she bowed herself to the ground, she asked, "Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?"

1. It is a moving question that Ruth asks, and it testifies of a heart of genuine, sincere love and appreciation. This girl was a "stranger", "a Moabitess" (Ruth 2:6), but kindness was extended to her (Ruth 2:7). This one, who had no rights, was accepted and blessed (Ruth 2:8-9). Can't you imagine what wonder and amazement at these wonderful events must have been in the heart of Ruth? She was humbly grateful, and rightfully so.

2. And, she is an excellent foretype of we who are saved. We were dead in sins and trespasses and "afar off" from God (Eph. 2:1, 12, 13); but God extended kindness to us, Titus 2:11. He made us accepted and blessed in Christ (Eph. 1:6); and our response should be sincere and humble gratitude, II Cor. 9:15. King David considered the greatness of God, who made the heavens and the earth, then he asked, "What is man that thou art mindful of him?" Psalm 8:4. He is the one creature upon whom God has placed his affections. Why? The only answer is the marvellous loving grace of God.

3. Boaz could explain why Ruth had found grace in his eyes; but why God loves us is beyond the answers of man. Like Ruth, we may not know why God loves us so much; but we can be eternally grateful that he does.