What does Ruth 2:3 mean?
Ruth and Naomi are in Bethlehem. Without a source of income, Ruth has decided to glean barley after the harvesters (Ruth 2:2). Early in the morning, she happens upon a field owned by Boaz, a relative of her late father-in-law. The field is a section of open land not separated from other owners by a fence.This is a summary statement; it doesn't describe Ruth's actions to this point. There's no indication she visited other fields before she came to Boaz's. She came to Boaz's field without knowing who he was or that he was related to her father-in-law (Ruth 2:19–20). Nor did Naomi send her; Naomi is so deeply depressed, shaken by the trauma of losing her husband and sons, that she doesn't even seem to remember that her husband has a kinsman-redeemer who could help. God sends Ruth to Boaz's field.
Once she arrives, she asks permission of the harvest foreman to glean (Ruth 2:2, 7). She's smart to do so; women aren't safe in fields (Judges 21:17–24).
When Boaz comes to the field, he asks his servant about her and is impressed by her devotion to an Israelite widow. Ruth has revoked her heritage and her gods and declared her allegiance to Naomi's people and the God of Israel (Ruth 1:16–17). Boaz not only invites her to continue gleaning in his field, but he also protects her and makes sure she can gather enough for the women to live on (Ruth 2:4–23).
Ruth 2:1–3 serves as a summary transition to the chapter. Naomi and Ruth are settled in Bethlehem and the next task is to find food. They arrived during the barley harvest, so Ruth sets out to glean after the harvesters. As a vulnerable foreign widow, she will only work where the manager or owner gives her favor. Before long, Ruth finds herself at the field of Boaz, one of Naomi's late husband's kinsmen. When Boaz discovers who she is, he tells his harvesters to leave her in peace and to make sure she finds plenty to take home.
Ruth 2 kindles the hope that Naomi's life might not be over. Her husband and sons died in Moab. Now, Naomi has arrived back in Bethlehem with her foreign daughter-in-law, Ruth. Ruth sets out to provide for them by gleaning behind the harvesters. She happens upon Boaz, a relative of her father-in-law, who respects her love and sacrifice for Naomi and makes incredible concessions for her throughout the barley and wheat harvests. As the harvest progresses, Naomi realizes Boaz could marry Ruth.
