Handfuls of Purpose

I. THE PROSPERITY OF BOAZ (Ruth 2:1, 3)

A. His Might (Ruth 2:1)

1. Boaz was not necessarily mighty in the sense of military strength.
2. Instead, he was mighty in that he was a man of influence and opportunity.

B. His Wealth (Ruth 2:1, 3)

1. Boaz was a man wealth (Ruth 2:1).
2. He was the owner of at least a portion of a larger field (Ruth 2:3).

II. THE NEED OF RUTH (Ruth 1:21; Ruth 2:2-3)

A. Her Emptiness (Ruth 1:21)

1. It is not known what kind of family or privilege from which Ruth came.
2. All that is known is that when Naomi returned to Bethlehem, she said, “the LORD hath brought me home again empty” (Ruth 1:21).

B. Her Work (Ruth 2:2)

1. Naomi was likely unable to work to provide for her and Ruth.
2. Ruth sought the opportunity to glean from a local field (Ruth 2:2).

III. THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD (Ruth 2:3-16)

A. The Hap of Ruth (Ruth 2:3)

1. She came upon a part of the field belonging unto Boaz.
2. He was of the kindred of Elimelech.

B. The Attention of Boaz (Ruth 2:4-7)

1. Boaz came to check on the reapers (Ruth 2:4).
2. Boaz took note of Ruth (Ruth 2:5-7).

C. The Grace of Boaz (Ruth 2:8-9)

1. Boaz charged Ruth to glean only in his field (Ruth 2:8).
2. Boaz charged the young men to leave her alone (Ruth 2:9).

D. The Gratefulness of Ruth (Ruth 2:10-14)

1. Her humility (Ruth 2:10, 13)
2. Her reward (Ruth 2:11-12)
3. Her satisfaction (Ruth 2:14)

E. The Favour of Boaz (Ruth 2:15-16)

1. His request to let Ruth glean among the sheaves (Ruth 2:15)
2. His command to let fall some handfuls of purpose for her (Ruth 2:16); Note: This was above and beyond the law of harvesting (Leviticus 19:9-10).

IV. THE WITNESS OF NAOMI AND RUTH (Ruth 2:17-20)

A. The Gleanings of Ruth (Ruth 2:17-18)

B. The Testimony of Naomi (Ruth 2:19-20)

1. Her surprise with the gleanings (Ruth 2:19)
2. Her understanding of the favour received (Ruth 2:19)
3. Her understanding of God’s involvement (Ruth 2:20)