Hope: Faithful

Ruth 2:1-3

The journey to Bethlehem was long, hard and frustrating.  Naomi's ability to see the dark side of everything was truly impressive.  Ruth had hoped her decision to go with her would be a source of healing for Naomi, but it seemed to only stir up more fear and concern.  Apparently the race card which Ruth had ignored in her home town would now be a real issue in Israel.  Naomi worried about covering her arms, so as not to draw attention to Ruth's dark complexion.  She didn't want her to stand out.  Israel was not friendly, by any means, with the Moabites and bringing a woman from an enemy country into their hometown was not going to be easily accepted.

But Ruth chose not to set her mind on that.  She had too much to do.  They would initially stay in the family homestead, but Naomi would have to contact the nearest relative to offer the land purchase first to him.  It was important to keep the land within the family tree and Naomi said there were several options.  Since all the men had died in her family, the land would need to be worked, especially now that the famine was over.  

Ruth was in charge of food.  If they were going to survive, she would join the poor in the community, gleaning in the fields that had previously been harvested.  The jewish law made provisions for the poor, leaving corners unharvested so that they could feed the needy.  They weren't given handouts - they would have to work for the grain, but the generosity of the community was great provision for those who needed the help.  So when they got settled in, Ruth would roll up her sleeves and join the harvesters.

She could feel the stares and hear the whispers as she entered town.  But she chose to shut her ears and keep her focus on the task at hand.  These people didn't know her.  They didn't know she feared the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and that she was committed to serving her mother-in-law until death parted them.  As time passed, Ruth was confident they would learn to trust her.  She may be a Moabite, but Ruth had placed trust and hope in God, and would prove to be faithful to her husband's faith and family.

The family home was just as Naomi had left it, with the addition of a few cobwebs.  A neighbor had kept an eye on it and upon hearing that she had returned, quickly spruced it up for them.  The news of Naomi's husband and sons deaths spread quickly through town and soon the old friends were stopping by with food and gifts for the grieving widow.  When they met Ruth, they were surprised that she would choose to stay with Naomi and leave her people, but they respected her choices. After all, she was in mourning, as well.

Though the generosity of the community had given them provision for many months, Ruth knew the harvest was at hand and she couldn't sit and wait until their supply was gone.  So she headed out to the fields to begin the task of harvesting.  

Naomi had told her of a wealthy cousin of her late husband, who owned a great estate.  "He is an older man with no wife or children, but his servants have been known to call him, 'Father.'  He is a kind man.  He will let you glean his fields."  As Ruth turned to head out, Naomi added, "And if he gives you a hard time, send him to me."  A twinge of fear squeezed Ruth's heart, but she pushed it away, knowing this was her life now.  Whispering a prayer, she made her way to the fields.

Gleaning was hard work.  There wasn't much time for talking, but the women in the field were curious about the years the family had been in Moab, so they were full of questions for Ruth.  Ruth was respectful and kind, speaking highly of her husband and mother-in-law, but her heart was set on finding out more about the God of Israel.  He was why she was here and she didn't want her education of Him to wane.  So the women told many stories, some her husband had shared but the details the women gave were much more colorful and dramatic.  Despite her color, Ruth was being accepted.

Then one day, things changed.  The owner of the land, Boaz, had come out to inspect the harvest and he noticed the dark skinned woman in the fields.  He was man of few words, but when he saw Ruth, his eyes narrowed and before she knew what hit her, Ruth's position in his field was quickly changed...