Some Security
Ruth 3 By the end of Chapter 2, we know that Ruth has obtained some degree of security, although clearly insufficient. She will stay on with Boaz’s crew throughout the barley harvest season. The Barley harvest is immediately followed by the wheat harvest, so there is good reason to hope she will be able to continue gleaning through that season as well. Still, it is not enough to provide any reasonable amount of security for Ruth and Naomi. At some point during this time, Naomi approaches Ruth with her plan. It is worth taking a moment to say more about the matter of security. For many of us, security might not be something we think about much. We have steady incomes, homes that provide warmth in winter, cooling in summer, shelter from the rain. We have a lengthy list of personal rights that are protected by our government. We enjoy a high level of security, male and female alike. Yet, for women in ancient times, security could only be found through a man. It is clear that the mat...