Chapter 2

We learn about a relative of Elimelech who is wealthy, has a good reputation, and lives and farms in Bethlehem.  Somehow, Ruth decides to place herself within his circle by gleaning in his field.  Think of this.  She and Naomi are very poor, with no man to support them.  They don't work in a restaurant as waitresses, but instead are allowed by Mosaic Law to go behind the harvesters and collect what has been missed in the picking.  A pretty chancy thing to depend on for your basic needs.  They might get enough to eat most days, but are unlikely to be able to buy new clothes, shoes, or pay the rent, etc.  So instead of just trusting to chance, Ruth realizes that there is a possible connection - an upgrade - with this wealthy kinsman of Elimelech, and she puts herself in position to interact with him.  Ruth goes to glean after the reapers.  Sure enough, on apparently the first day, Boaz comes to the field and spots her.  Boaz asks about her.  That is, he notices her because she "stands out" among the poor who are gathering after the gleaners.  Not only that, but when he asks the foreman, the foreman has also noticed her and paid attention to her all day because he points out that she's taken only one short rest the whole time.  This woman mush have been quite attractive. 

Boaz tells her to stay always in his field to glean.  He takes interest in her, gives her special treatment, and instructs his workers to favor her also.  The young men were to leave her alone.  Her looks have brought her the favor of Boaz, but they also bring danger from the unscrupulous.  She isn't really "hired", because she's only picking up the leftovers, but she is given a safe location to eek out a living for herself and Naomi.  This was a big deal for them.  Boaz is a kind man.  Apparently there are also other young women, possibly with similarly trying backgrounds, and he seems to be purposely throwing some support their way.  Into this benevolent circle he invites Ruth.  Boaz tells her that his kindness is a return for the kindness and loyalty she showed to Naomi.  Their story is well known in the area, and Boaz is well aware of it, and believes Naomi is due some good fortune.

At lunch, Boaz invites Ruth to eat with him.  He shares bread, wine, and roasted grain with her.  Apparently this goes well, because afterwards, he tells his workers to let her gather in areas not yet harvested, rather than just picking up the leavings.  And he tells them to leave some harvested grain, all bundled for processing, so that she can have that also.  This is like a waitress getting a hundred dollar tip.  Even more, Ruth will continue in this capacity through barley and wheat harvests, so she and Naomi will eat well for a month or two, and possibly have enough excess to carry them through the year.

Note - I was wrong when I said Ruth purposely went into Boaz's field.  We see in vss 17-23 that Ruth did not know Boaz at all, and that her presence in his field when he arrived and noticed her was just chance - the kind of chance that God arranges.  We get some more insight into the social station of these women from this verse:

22 And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, "It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted." [Rth 2:22 ESV]  It seems likely that Ruth might have been raped in the fields and then had no real legal redress against those who did it because of her low social status.  This was not how it was supposed to be, but we have seen from the book of Judges that Israel was not a very good place in some places.  Boaz has not just offered Ruth food but also security.  She had a good day!