Gleaning Grace: The Handfuls of Purpose
"And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not." - Ruth 2:16
In the narrative of Ruth, a Moabite widow clings to her mother-in-law Naomi after the death of her husband. They return to Bethlehem at a time of famine, armed only with faith and hope for God's provision. Ruth 2:16 offers us a profound insight into the character of Boaz, a wealthy landowner, as well as the principles of divine providence and grace that transpire through acts of kindness and love. The verse reads, "And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not."
At first glance, this may appear to be merely a kind gesture from Boaz to an impoverished widow, but it is so much more—it's an exemplification of God’s deliberate design to provide for those who are in need. As we reflect on this verse, we discover layers of meaning that invite us deeper into understanding God's heart for the marginalized and His intent for our lives.
**The Handfuls of Purpose**
The phrase "handfuls of purpose" evokes the image of intentional acts of kindness. Boaz instructs his workers to deliberately drop extra bundles of grain for Ruth to gather. This means that; as a part of his generosity, Boaz did not leave Ruth to scrape by on only what was legally hers to glean; instead, he encouraged her to receive more than just the leftovers. Each handful dropped from the harvesters was a symbol of divine favor and care placed in her path, reminding us that God often goes beyond our expectations to provide what we truly need.
Similarly, God orchestrates our lives such that we often find ourselves in places where we can receive unexpected blessings. The phrase "handfuls of purpose" reminds us that God’s hand is at work, often behind the scenes, providing for us when we least expect it. How often do we overlook these moments? In our busy lives, it’s easy to hurry past the instances of grace and favor, dismissing them as coincidence rather than seeing them as God’s intentional design.
**God's Vision for Gleaning**
Imagine Ruth’s joy and gratitude as she discovers each handful. Gleaning, traditionally, was a practice instituted by God to ensure that the poor and needy could have sustenance. This principle of leaving behind grain for the needy (Leviticus 19:9-10) illustrates God’s desire for His people to take care of one another. In Boaz’s actions toward Ruth, we see a perfect expression of this principle, extending his resources for the benefit of someone in need. Furthermore, this showcases that the blessings we receive are never solely for our own enjoyment; they are often intended to be shared or replicated.
**The Call to Kindness**
As we contemplate our own lives, we must ask ourselves how we can actively drop handfuls of purpose for those around us—friends, family, or even strangers. This may take the form of simple acts of charity, intentionally offering encouragement, or being generous with our time. Just as Boaz extended kindness to Ruth, we, too, are called to be agents of grace, planting seeds of hope in our communities.
Furthermore, Boaz also instructs his workers not to rebuke Ruth. This emphasis on kindness encourages us to be welcoming and supportive to those in need, rather than critical or judgmental. Do we sometimes turn away those who seem undeserving of our kindness? Boaz’s attitude directs our hearts to approach others with empathy, understanding that everyone has a story and deserves compassion.
**The Influence of Faith**
Ultimately, Ruth's story is one of faith and determination, coupled with God’s providence. By choosing to glean in Boaz's field, Ruth demonstrates trust in God’s provision, a powerful act that demonstrates courage and resilience in the face of uncertainty. God faithfully rewards this faithfulness through Boaz's incredible generosity.
As you reflect on Ruth 2:16 today, consider what handfuls of purpose God has placed in your life. Recognize these gifts, and then think about how you can extend that same grace to others. In doing so, we participate in the divine narrative of redemption, revealing God's relentless love and purposeful interaction in our lives and the lives of others. Embrace the opportunities to be the hand of kindness that drops those handfuls of purpose as we walk this journey of faith.
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Ruth 2:16 - "And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not."
"And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not." - Ruth 2:16
Ruth 4:16 - "And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it."
Ruth 1:16 - "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:"
Ruth 2:22 - "And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field."
Ruth 2:2 - "And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."
Ruth 2:8 - "Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:"
Ruth 2:21 - "And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest."
Ruth 2:3 – "So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters."
Ruth 2:15 - "And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:"
"And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it." - Ruth 4:16
Ruth 2:5 - "Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?"
"And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her." - Ruth 3:16
Ruth 3:16 - "And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her."
"And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field." - Ruth 2:22
Ruth 1:16-17 - "But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.""
"And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:" - Ruth 2:15
Ruth 4:2 - "And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down."
Ruth 2:1 - "And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz."
Ruth 2:6 - "And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:"
Ruth 3:2 - "And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor."
Ruth 2:17 - "So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley."
Ruth 2:4 - "¶ And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee."
Ruth 2:23 - "So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law."
"And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:" - Ruth 1:16
Ruth 2:12 - "The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."
Ruth 2:3 - "And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech."
"And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest." - Ruth 2:21
"Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:" - Ruth 2:8
"The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust." - Ruth 2:12