Gleaners would have to work really hard for really long hours, if they wanted to be able to gather enough grain to feed themselves and their families. They lived day-by-day, and hand-to-mouth.
Quite often they would have to glean in multiple fields each day, because unscrupulous land-owners would prevent them from gathering or they would make sure they harvested every little bit of grain, so there was none left over...
Why do we read that Ruth gleaned diligently in Boaz's field from morning to evening?
What else does Ruth's diligence do?
We're told that Ruth gleans "an ephah" of barley grain.
That's about 13 kilograms!
That's at least half a month's wages worth of food!
How has Ruth, alone, collected so much?
In verse 14 we're told that Boaz invites her to eat from his table.
Why is this significant?
In the New Testament, in James 4:6, it says "Grace given is grace multiplied."
How do we see this playing out in Ruth's story?
When Ruth returns home, what does Naomi say?
What has Naomi recognised here?
In verse 23 what is Naomi's instruction to Ruth?
Why?
This means that Ruth will be spending the next three or four months, every day, in Boaz's field.
What is Naomi hoping will happen during this time?
Read Deuteronomy 15:11.
God wants us to be generous when it comes to helping the poor.
Do you consider yourself a generous person?
Why or why not?
Who are the poor people in your community?
Who is God leading you to take notice of?
How can you show kindness to them?
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