Ruth is an Old Testament love story set in the turbulent era of the Judges, but it’s heartwarming and encouraging for us all, and we can clearly see God’s hand at work. Did you know that there were hidden clues from the author showing that Boaz was a righteous man long before his actions proved it? “So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.” Ruth 2:3 ESV This verse shows Ruth, who was destitute, gleaming the fields of Boaz to get grain. But a Jewish audience would have taken note of this. God included provisions for the poor each harvest and gave that law to Moses. ““When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.” Deuteronomy 24:19-21 ESV Did you catch that? A farmer was eligible for most of a crop, but was always to leave something behind for the poor. Whether olive, grape, wheat, or any fruit to vegetable, a righteous man knew to leave food behind to feed others. During the chaotic period of Judges, we are told that: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25 ESV This means that there was no one to enforce the law of Moses upon Israel. It may very well have meant that most farmers kept all the food for themselves because they did not fear God. Therefore, by showing Boaz’s obedience to God, we know that he was faithful to God even when a king wasn’t there to force him. Boaz believed in God and obeyed because he WANTED to. All of that is communicated before Boaz utters a word. Ruth, as a Moabite, may not have known about this law, but Naomi certainly did. I hope that little nugget of history adds to your enjoyment of a wonderful OT book.