The answer is: Wheat harvest

Ruth 2:23

In the book of Ruth, we find a powerful story woven around themes of loyalty, love, and divine provision. While Ruth gleaned in the wheat fields, however, the tale doesn't just stop there! This era of harvest reflects idiomatic richness; in the ancient Near East, harvest time wasn't solely about gathering crops but also about community, celebration, and God's abundance.

Ruth, a Moabite woman, shows incredible grit as she follows her mother-in-law Naomi back to Bethlehem. What’s fascinating here is the custom she embodies: gleaning. This was a practice that allowed the poor and marginalized to gather leftover crops after the main harvest. Such laws, spotlighted in books like Leviticus 19:9-10, reveal a society endeavoring to foster generosity and care for those in need.

Interestingly, Ruth’s gleaning of wheat sets the stage for her meeting with Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, crucial to the unfolding story. As you consider the seasonal blessings of grain, it is worth noting that wheat holds great significance in many biblical accounts; it often symbolizes sustenance and is even a metaphor for spiritual nourishment (think of the "bread of life" themes in the New Testament!).

In pursuing this rich narrative, the significance transcends mere crop collections—it exemplifies an awakening to unexpected blessings through relationships, stories, and community. The wheat harvest that began Ruth's journey unfolds into a lineage culminating in the great King David, reminding us how starts can yield monumental impacts. Happy gleaning in the text!