Topical Bible: Poor: Kindness to To Ruth

◄ Poor: Kindness to To Ruth ►

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The account of Ruth, a Moabite woman, is a profound example of kindness extended to the poor and marginalized, as depicted in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament. Ruth's narrative unfolds during the time of the judges, a period marked by social and spiritual upheaval in Israel. Despite her foreign origin and widowhood, Ruth becomes a recipient of divine providence and human kindness, illustrating the biblical mandate to care for the poor and the stranger.

Ruth's journey begins with her decision to accompany her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to Bethlehem after the death of her husband. Naomi, also a widow, is destitute and without male protection or provision. Ruth's loyalty to Naomi is encapsulated in her famous declaration: "Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God" (Ruth 1:16). This commitment sets the stage for the unfolding of God's kindness through human agents.

Upon their arrival in Bethlehem, Ruth and Naomi face the harsh realities of poverty. Ruth takes the initiative to glean in the fields to provide for them, a practice allowed by Mosaic Law to support the poor, widows, and foreigners (Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 24:19-22). Ruth's diligence and humility in seeking sustenance highlight her virtuous character and reliance on God's provision.

Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi's deceased husband, emerges as a key figure in extending kindness to Ruth. Upon learning of Ruth's loyalty to Naomi, Boaz instructs his workers to allow her to glean among the sheaves and even leaves extra grain for her to gather. He tells Ruth, "May the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge" (Ruth 2:12). Boaz's actions reflect the biblical principle of hesed, or loving-kindness, which is central to God's covenantal relationship with His people.

Boaz's kindness culminates in his role as a kinsman-redeemer, a concept rooted in the Levitical law that provides for the redemption of land and lineage for impoverished relatives (Leviticus 25:25-28). By marrying Ruth, Boaz not only redeems Naomi's family line but also elevates Ruth from her status as a poor foreigner to a respected member of the community. This act of redemption foreshadows the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ, who, as the true Kinsman-Redeemer, extends grace and salvation to all who seek refuge under His wings.

The account of Ruth serves as a timeless reminder of God's compassion for the poor and His call for His people to act justly and love mercy (Micah 6:8). Through the kindness shown to Ruth, the narrative underscores the transformative power of love and faithfulness, both human and divine, in the lives of those who are vulnerable and in need.

Nave's Topical Index

Ruth 2:23
So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelled with her mother in law.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Boaz and Ruth.
... The poor were allowed at harvest time to follow the reapers; gleaning or gathering
up the stray ears of corn. ... [Illustration: BOAZ SHOWING KINDNESS TO RUTH.]. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/boaz and ruth.htm

The Story of Ruth, the Gleaner
... the grain not to gather all the stalks, but to leave some for the poor people, who ...
Then Ruth bowed to Boaz, and thanked him for his kindness, all the ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of ruth the.htm

Ruth the Gleaner.
... grain; for it was the rich harvest time, and she was very poor. ... with head bowed down,
as if this farmer were a king, Ruth thanked him for his kindness to a ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/ruth the gleaner.htm

Ruth.
... glean after the reapers, to get grain, for they were poor. ... of the water drawn for
them, and Ruth bowed before ... He told her that he knew all her kindness to her ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xvi ruth.htm

Bands of Love; Or, Union to Christ. "I Drew them with Cords of a ...
... we remark that Boaz, although one with Ruth by kinship ... His Father's house; but see
His kindness, He has ... lodgings with us, and tabernacles in poor humble hearts ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/bands of love or union.htm

The Mystery of Personality
... associated with him, whether rich or poor, talented or ... went away remembering only
his kindness of heart ... Their adopted daughter, Ruth, was an unending delight to ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/the mystery of personality.htm

Letter Lxxi. To Lucinius.
... Like Ruth [2222] when I try to speak I burst into tears. ... 5. As for my poor works
which from no merits of theirs but simply from your own kindness you say ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxi to lucinius.htm

Special Efforts
... make Christmas a joy-day for the lonely and poor. ... pointing souls made tender by human
loving- kindness, to the ... also reap'; in the story of Ruth recognized the ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/vi special efforts.htm

Our Deliverance from the Boxers (1900)
... faithful Chinese nurse, who had charge of Ruth, had saved ... Many times I held up the
poor, dirty clothes which ... an evidence of the Lord's loving kindness over us. ...
/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/v our deliverance from the.htm

Home-Sympathy.
... existence, and all those acts of kindness administered by ... it in the touching history
of Ruth, in the ... the paralytic, comforting and feeding the poor widow, and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter xiv home-sympathy.htm