Message Notes

(I) The special practice of gleaning

1. An Old Testament provision directed by God (Lev 23:32)

“Therefore I command you to do this thing.” Deut 24:22

2. A special provision of leaving some of the harvest behind for the destitute to glean

“It shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow,” Deut 24:19, 20, 21

3. Different ways in which gleaning was practised

“When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it;” Deut 24:19

“When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again;” Deut 24:20

“When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward;” Deut 24:21

4. A special time to remember our own poverty previously

“And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt;” Deut 24:22

(II) Significant blessings for those who will provide for the poor

1. According to the Lord’s Word

“That the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.” Deut 24:19

2. According to Biblical example (Boaz)

a. A man greatly blessed

i. Great wealth

“A man of great wealth” Ruth 2:1

ii. Fields of barley and wheat

“Barley harvest and wheat harvest” Ruth 2:23

iii. Many workers

“Reapers” Ruth 2:5

b. Blessed for fully carrying out the law of gleaning

i. Consideration given to a stranger and a widow

“So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” Ruth 2:10

“All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband,” Ruth 2:11

ii. Gleaning instructions given on purpose

“And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.” Ruth 2:15-16

c. Recognized by others as blessed

i. Blessed for showing concern

“And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? And where did you work? Blessed be the one who took notice of you.” Ruth 2:19

ii. Blessed as one of the Lord and who has showed His kindness

“Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “Blessed be he of the LORD, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!” And Naomi said to her, “This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives.”  Ruth 2:20

(III) Specific steps to take

1. Understand that God’s provision for the poor is done through us

2. Allocate something of ours for them

3. Anticipate great blessings from the Lord