Ruth 2 and the Proverbs 31 Woman
This summer, I have been studying the book of Ruth with my local Bible Bee group. Our study this summer has placed an emphasis on comparing Ruth with the Proverbs 31 woman. There are many good comparisons between the two passages, but one that has stood out to me recently is Ruth’s diligence.
In Ruth 2, Ruth decided to go out and glean in the fields in order to take care of herself and Naomi (Ruth 2:1-3). One of God’s laws for the Israelites was to leave the corners of their fields for the needy to glean from (Lev. 19:9-10). So, in accordance with the provision God had for them, Ruth went out and gleaned barley among the fields and happened to come into Boaz’s field. (I love how the Bible says she “happened” to come to Boaz’s field. The story of Ruth really shows how even in what seems like a coincidence, God is at work!)
4 Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, “May the Lord be with you.” And they said to him, “May the Lord bless you.” 5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” 6 The servant in charge of the reapers replied, “She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab. 7 And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ Thus she came and has remained from the morning until now; she has been sitting in the house for a little while.” Ruth 2:4-7 (NASB)
After this, Boaz tells Ruth to stay in his fields to reap, where she will be safe and provided for. Ruth asks him why he’s showing her kindness.
11 Boaz replied to her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know. 12 May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” Ruth 2:11-12
Ruth’s reputation and care for Naomi has preceded her, and that reputation will be proven true as she continues to glean in Boaz’s field until evening, beat out her grain, and return to Naomi with an ephah of barley (Ruth 2:17). An ephah of barley weighed about forty pounds—that’s a lot of hard work (Redeemed: Primary answer anchor, 2022, p. 34). Ruth was diligent.
The Proverbs 31 woman is also a diligent woman.
She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. 14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. 15 She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. 18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Proverbs 31:13-22
I love that description of working “with her hands in delight.” The Proverbs 31 woman is diligent to take care of her household, to make wise business decisions, and to care for others. But she works diligently, not because she has to, but with delight. Ruth was this kind of woman. She provided for herself and Naomi, she was wise, and she took care of Naomi. She did this with love in her heart for her mother-in-law.
As daughters of God, we have the opportunity to work with our hands in delight, to be diligent in whatever we do.
23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:23-24
31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
We work diligently to bring glory to God. We can have delight in our work, whether that’s chores and homework or a job or taking care of our own home, because we delight in serving the Lord. Diligence in our work, but also our attitude while working, matters to God.
So, as you take a look at your to-do list for this week, I encourage you to find delight in serving the Lord. And as we serve the Lord through our work, we also get to be a blessing to others and shine the light of Jesus through our diligence and delight. Press on, friends!
With love,
Kelsey
Source: National Bible Bee. Redeemed: Primary answer anchor. 2022. Retrieved from cdn.biblebee.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/23182115/DJ22_Primary_Teacher.pdf
