The story of ruth harvesting in boaz field – बोअज़ के खेत में रूत की फ़सल काटने की कहानी

The story of Ruth harvesting in Boaz’s field is a beautiful tale of loyalty, kindness, and providence found in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament.

Naomi, an Israelite woman, had moved to Moab with her husband and two sons during a famine in Israel. Sadly, Naomi’s husband and both sons died, leaving Naomi with her two Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Naomi decided to return to her homeland in Bethlehem, urging Orpah and Ruth to stay in Moab. Orpah returned, but Ruth refused, famously saying, Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. (Ruth 1:16). So Ruth and Naomi returned to Bethlehem together.

Upon returning to Bethlehem, Naomi and Ruth were poor and needed food. Ruth offered to go to the fields to glean (pick up leftover grain) behind the harvesters. According to Israelite law, landowners were to leave the corners of their fields unharvested for the poor and foreigners to gather food. Ruth ended up gleaning in the fields belonging to a man named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s deceased husband, Elimelech.

When Boaz arrived at his fields, he noticed Ruth and asked his workers about her. They told him she was the Moabite woman who had come back with Naomi. Boaz was impressed by Ruth’s loyalty and kindness to Naomi. He approached Ruth, encouraged her to stay in his fields for safety, and even instructed his workers to let extra grain fall on purpose so she would have more to glean. Boaz also invited Ruth to drink from the water jars his workers had filled, a gesture of kindness and inclusion.

At mealtime, Boaz invited Ruth to join his workers, giving her bread and roasted grain until she was full. When Ruth returned to Naomi that evening with an abundance of grain, Naomi realized that Boaz had shown special kindness to Ruth. Naomi then revealed to Ruth that Boaz was a close relative, a kinsman-redeemer.

A kinsman-redeemer was a relative who could redeem (buy back) land or marry a widow to carry on the family line. At Naomi’s advice, Ruth later went to Boaz at the threshing floor, where he was winnowing barley. In a symbolic gesture, she uncovered his feet and lay down, a respectful way to request his protection and redemption. Boaz understood Ruth’s intentions, praised her for her loyalty to Naomi, and agreed to help. However, Boaz mentioned that there was a closer relative who had the first right of redemption.

Boaz approached the nearer kinsman the next day, who declined to redeem the land and marry Ruth. Boaz then gladly accepted the role, marrying Ruth and redeeming Naomi’s family line. Through their union, Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed, who would become the grandfather of King David, placing Ruth in the lineage of Jesus Christ.

Ruth’s dedication to Naomi and Boaz’s kindness to Ruth are central to the story. The story highlights God’s providence, as Ruth, a Moabite, finds a place in Israel’s lineage and a new family. Ruth, though a foreigner, is accepted into the community, reflecting God’s inclusive love.

The story of Ruth and Boaz shows how God can turn hardship into blessings through love, loyalty, and faith.

The story of ruth harvesting in boaz field – बोअज़ के खेत में रूत की फ़सल काटने की कहानी