Ruth 2:14

Vinegar and water was the customary drink of Roman soldiers and slaves. The harvesters in Palestine still dip their bread in vinegar and find it very refreshing. Parched corn is also a favourite article of food: the ears are gathered when not quite ripe, and are roasted on an iron plate, or are thrust in small bundles into a fire of dry grass and thorns; there is a milky and yet crusty flavour about it which makes pleasant eating. 'She did eat, and was sufficed, and left thereof' (RV).

15-18. As a special favour she is to be allowed to glean not only where the sheaves have been removed, but amongst them as they stand. Curiously enough she is represented at Ruth 2:7 as requesting this. The reapers are also to pluck out ears as they gather them up for binding and let them drop as if by accident. No wonder that when she had beaten it out with a stick (Judges 6:11; Isaiah 28:27) she had about a bushel of grain. As one has seen poor women taking home food for their children from some feast which has been given them, so the thrifty, affectionate Ruth carries to Naomi the parched corn which had remained over from her unexpected midday meal.

19-23. Ruth now learns for the first time that Boaz is related to them, a near kinsman, one of those who have the right to buy back for them the land that has been parted with. If an Israelite was compelled by poverty to dispose of his property, such a kinsman could compel the purchaser to sell it back (Leviticus 25:25; Leviticus 25:47); the object of the law being to preserve each family in possession of its land. Naomi felt that Providence was not only showing loving-kindness to her daughter-in-law and herself, but also to her husband and sons, by bringing about the prospect of the land which had once belonged to them again being called by their name. Her deepseated piety comes out too; the bitterness of Ruth 1:20 yields immediately to faith, hope, and gratitude. And her practical wisdom is seen in the injunction not to vex this kindhearted man by failing to make use of his offered kindness. Wheat-harvest is two or three weeks later than barley.