How does Ruth 2:8 connect to God's provision in Psalm 23? Setting the Scene: Two Pictures of Care “Then Boaz said to Ruth, ‘Listen, my daughter. Do not go and glean in another field or leave this one, but stay close to my servant girls.’” “The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.” Boaz’s Invitation—Safety, Sustenance, Stability • “Do not go…or leave this one” – Boaz provides a fixed place where Ruth’s needs will be met. • “Stay close” – proximity ensures protection from danger (cf. Ruth 2:9). • “My servant girls” – community and belonging accompany the provision. • Result: Ruth gathers grain without fear and with abundance (Ruth 2:17). The Shepherd’s Provision—Rest, Refreshment, Reassurance • “I shall not want” – every true need supplied. • “Green pastures” – food for the soul and body. • “Quiet waters” – refreshment that restores (Psalm 23:3). • Result: Life lived under God’s watchful eye, lacking nothing good (Psalm 34:10). Parallel Themes of God’s Provision 1. Place of Provision • Boaz’s field ↔ the Shepherd’s pasture. • Both emphasize a divinely appointed location where needs are met (Philippians 4:19). 2. Person of Provision • Boaz acts as kinsman-redeemer; God is covenant Shepherd. • Each points to Christ, the “good Shepherd” who lays down His life (John 10:11). 3. Protection in Provision • Ruth kept safe from harassers (Ruth 2:15). • Psalm 23:4 promises protection “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” 4. Plenty in Provision • Ruth gathers an ephah of barley—far more than scraps. • Psalm 23:5 speaks of an overflowing cup. Why the Connection Matters Today • God’s care is not abstract; He shows it through tangible means—fields, grain, friendships, jobs, daily bread (Matthew 6:26–33). • Staying “in His field” (abiding in Christ, John 15:4) positions us to experience the Shepherd’s ongoing provision. • As Boaz welcomed Ruth, so the Lord invites us to remain close, confident that His supply is steady, sufficient, and driven by covenant love. |
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