Commentaries:
When we remember that Boaz is clearly a type of Christ and Ruth symbolizes the Christian who is being redeemed, Boaz' instructions take on a heightened meaning. His immediate concern is for Ruth's safety and health. Notice, too, that when he speaks to her, he does not mention her foreignness but calls her "my daughter." He was most likely older than she was, but what is striking is that his first words to her are familial, as if he had already accepted her. She was not a stranger and a foreigner to him but part of the community and maybe even part of his extended family.
His speech is essentially five consecutive commands. As a type of Christ, Boaz is lord and master of his domain, in complete control of the situation. He knows what she should do and gives her clear instructions about it. Though he has already determined to provide for her—which he does lavishly throughout the rest of the book—he gives her some ground rules to guide her gleaning.
First, he tells her to listen, to pay attention, to heed his instruction. If she wishes to place herself under his care, she must abide by his rules. He does not say this because he is a tyrant but because it is for her good to do as he says. As the master of the harvest, he knows the situation and how she could be most successful. As Jesus would say, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Matthew 11:15).
Second, he forbids her to glean anywhere else, "but stay close by my young women." This is the equivalent of Christ telling us, "Do not gather spiritual food from any other source." His field is sufficient to supply her with all she needs to be filled, and the implication is that gleaning in other fields would not be safe. In fellowship with his other servants, she would be safe and satisfied with food.
Third, he tells her to keep her eyes on his field and his servants. A person's eyes show where he is focused, and Boaz does not want her to stray off his land. He does not want her to think that the gleaning was better elsewhere because, frankly, he knows it is not. He also desires that she follow the example of his servants, as they could give her help in doing her work.
Fourth, he assures her that his young men will not touch her. Boaz' servants are under strict orders to be kind and proper toward those under his care. They are not to take advantage of her in any way or to treat her harshly. The "young men" are equivalent to the ministry of God's church, who are commanded to "tend His sheep" in love (John 21:15-17).
Finally, he instructs Ruth to drink only what the young men have drawn from the well. Boaz knows that his water is clean and safe and that going to draw water from another well could put her in a dangerous situation. Water, as we know, is a type of God's Spirit, and here, it represents teaching inspired by God's Spirit—what is offered through His true servants. Clearly, God is very concerned about what we consume spiritually, and so Jesus tells us in John 4:14, "Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him with never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."
In Boaz' instructions to Ruth, we see the concern of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, for His people. He wants us to follow these instructions because they will keep us from harm, they will keep us nourished and satisfied, and they will keep us in the right environment so that we will grow and have a successful harvest. God gives us only good and wise advice, so if he tells us to stay in His church, listen to His ministers, and fellowship among His servants so that we will endure through the harvest, we would do well to heed Him.
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Christ as Provider
