What can we observe and learn about Boaz from this chapter? What kind of man was he? What do you think that the people around him might have thought of him? Why?
What can we observe and learn about Ruth from this chapter? What kinds of things do we see her say, and do? What does that tell us about Ruth’s character?
Jewish law required landowners (like Boaz) to provide for poor people (like Ruth) by allowing them to gather some of their harvest that had been dropped or left behind. (Leviticus 19:9-10, Leviticus 23:22, Deuteronomy 24:19) How does Boaz respond to this law? How does he go above and beyond what the law requires of him? How does he obey the spirit of the law (instead of merely the letter of the law)?
How can we see the abundant kindness and generosity of Boaz on display in this chapter?
What do you think the reason might have been why Boaz was drawn to take notice of Ruth? (2:5-12)
How does Naomi respond when she sees the harvest that Ruth brings home? (2:17-22) Compare and contrast her posture here with what we saw from her in chapter 1. (1:8-9, 1:11-13, 1:20-21)
Naomi says that Boaz is one of their redeemers (1:20), meaning that he is one of their close relatives who, according to Jewish law, had the opportunity to purchase their land back on their behalf (Leviticus 25:23–25), or even purchase them back out of slavery so they could be free (Leviticus 25:47–49). How do you think that Boaz might potentially respond to these kinds of opportunities? Why?
How do we see the God’s sovereignty and providence on display in this chapter? What does this chapter teach us about how God often chooses to work in the lives of his people?
What can we learn from this chapter about how we are to live while we are waiting for God to sovereignly provide for us? What would it look like for us to apply those truths in our lives?