Gleaning In The Book Of Ruth

The book of Ruth takes place in the period of the judges, a very inharmonious time in the Old Testament. People were very immoral and worshiped many pagan gods. Judges 12:25 says, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Bethlehem- the town the story takes place in- was in harvest season, which took place in July or August. Naomi and her family start the book of Ruth moving from Bethlehem to Moab because of a severe famine. Naomi’s two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, marry Moabite women. Later, Naomi’s sons and husband die and she decides to move back to her homeland, Bethlehem. (Geography and the Bible) The author of Ruth is unknown. Rabbinic tradition implies Samuel wrote the book, but he was most

likely dead when the Ruth was written. The book of Ruth is classified as a narrative. The Webster Dictionary defines narrative as, “A story that is told or written.” (Webster Dictionary).
Many people are confused with the culture within the book of Ruth.

One of the main questions people have is, “What is gleaning?” Gleaning is when reapers of the fields allowed the poor to take up the wheat that the harvesters dropped. Letting the poor collect the dropped wheat was a law. If the overseer of the field found favor in you, he would tell the harvesters to purposely drop extra wheat. Another question often asked is, “What is a kinsman redeemer?” A kinsman redeemer was the closest male relative that was appointed to take care of a relative in trouble. The Hebrew term for kinsman redeemer, “Goel” literally means redeem or avenger. (Easton’s Bible Dictionary) The last question, and probably the most frequently asked question is, “What is a threshing floor and why did Ruth go there?” The threshing floor is where the grain was separated to get the inner kernel. Boaz slept there to protect the grain from thieves and to wait for his turn to thresh the grain. Ruth is not being immodest when she goes to lie at his feet; she is claiming Boaz as her kinsman redeemer by Jewish custom. Ruth 3:9 says, “He said, ‘Who are you?’ and she answered, ‘I am Ruth your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” Ruth is asking him to be her kinsman redeemer and if she can be his

wife.
The whole book of Ruth is filled with wisdom, but there are three key verses that stand out.

Ruth 3:16 says, “But Ruth said, ‘do not urge me to leave you or return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God.” This passage is the most quoted verse from the book of Ruth. Ruth says this to Naomi when Naomi urges her to leave and continue her life in Moab. This verse is important because Ruth shows selflessness and kindness to Naomi. Another key verse is Ruth 4:14, “Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer and may his name be renowned in Israel!’” These uplifting words are said to Naomi at the end of the book of Ruth by the women in Bethlehem. The women are telling Naomi that God has blessed her with a godly kinsman redeemer. Lastly, Ruth 2:12 says, “The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, The God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” Boaz says this to Ruth when he finds out the sacrifice Ruth made to support Naomi. If Ruth had decided to go back to Moab, she would have almost guaranteed financial and marital success. Instead, she decided to support Naomi a difficult time. Boaz is encouraging Ruth and telling her God will bless her for this selfless

act.