Part II
Based on: “The Book of Ruth”
Discreet and humbly she would gather, well aware not to bother
Anybody, but only took what in the Law of Moses,
God had provided for the poor and stranger,
of the fallen grain leftover.
Boaz riding, owner of the field, came greeting
There his reapers with a blessing, overlooking the progressing
Of the harvest and its yield.
Then as his eyes glanced over all his hired maidens,
He noticed a young woman, he never saw before,
And inquired of his reapers’ foreman who she were.
“This is the Moabitess damsel, coming back with Naomi,
Helping, serving her. She asked if she could glean, of the grain,
after the reapers leave, among the sheaves.”
Then Boaz nearing, saw as Ruth was bending, gathering the fallen grain.
He said to her she may not leave the field, to get her yield,
But abide there by his maidens, where she may gather,
And drink also from his servant’s drawn up water.
Then Ruth bowed to the ground, falling on her face,
Saying: “Why have I found with thee such grace,
Taking note of me, who am a stranger in this place?”
Then she arose, laying her arms upon her chest,
Shyly, slowly lifting up her head, into Boaz’s face to gaze.
A shiver went through her as their eyes did meet,
Then most discreetly lowered down her eyes,
Standing there in sheer humility,
She was the image of modesty and purity
Boaz highly did regard, it was forever imprinted in his heart.
Then he said: “It has been shown to me and I was told, how loving
You have been to your mother-in-law, after the death
Of your husband, have left your own mother and father
Even your homeland, to come with Naomi;
To a people and a place altogether new to face.
God bless you and reward you richly,
Under whose wings you have come to trust Him faithfully.”
…………………
So, Ruth sat then beside the reapers, Boaz handing her parched corn,
And she did eat. Then she went again to glean.
Boaz charged his young men not to touch, nor to rebuke her,
But to let fall some handfuls of the grain
For her there to remain.
When even came Ruth was beating out what she had gleaned,
And it was of barley about an ephah that she gained.
Happily she showed Naomi what she brought,
Then Naomi asked her where she wrought
this bounty, from which field bringing such good yield.
“Boaz was his name, from whose field I came,
He said that I may continue gleaning till the end of harvesting.”
“He is near of kin to us, one of our next kinsmen.
God bless him for his goodness, showing us such kindness.”
And Ruth kept on gleaning, gathering her portions,
In her meek and humble fashion,
Till the harvesting of barley and of wheat was ended,
Never leaving emptyhanded, but brought a good measure
Of the grain, that highly valued treasure.
………………
Naomi in her heart rejoiced, how Boaz welcomed Ruth so fair,
Granting extra fallen grain to her,
For her meekness and discreetness did impress his mind,
For he never knew a woman of this kind.
Naomi did perceive that Ruth was favoured by her kinsman,
Then with trusting faith and prayer she endeavoured,
For her beloved, adopted daughter,
That God may Ruth and Boaz bring together,
Unite them by His grace, in true love and godliness
Unto holy matrimony, and their happiness.
………………
So she said that in the coming night,
Boaz would be working in the threshing floor
To winnow barley there,
That Ruth may bathe, anoint herself and put on raiment,
But make herself not known, until Boaz will lie down,
To rest and sleep, and she shall keep
In mind the counsel Naomi here unfolds,
That she may speak and act as she is told.
And Ruth did answer her that she will do,
Accordingly to go and do.
…………………………….
That night Divinity sealed Ruth’s and Boaz’s destiny.
Being chosen as the pair, not only to produce an heir
To Elimelech’s tribe, but through this line
Kings were to come forth, and finally,
The birth of the Messiah, the long-awaited Saviour.
God had shown His favour,
To bless, adopt a former Gentile as His own,
To make to all the world it known,
That by His grace He no distinction makes,
Between any people, culture, race,
But looks upon the heart, its love, the virtues of the soul,
That who by faith believes, obeys and lives His word –
This is to God most precious – and of greatest worth. Amen.
Edda Tedford, Canada