The answer is: Wheat harvest

Ruth 2:23

Ruth's story is one rich in grace, loyalty, and divine providence. When we talk about her gleaning the wheat harvest, we move beyond just a simple agricultural practice. Gleaning was a big deal in biblical times; it was a way to care for the poor and needy. Landowners, like Boaz whom Ruth caught the eye of, would leave the edges of their fields unharvested for the less fortunate, embodying compassionate generosity.

Now, interestingly to note, Ruth didn't just work her hands through cluster after cluster of wheat without reason. Her gleaning occurs during the barley harvest in the first chapter and later moves to wheat, describing a transitional period—one of bounty, connected to the broader harvest season for the Israelites. This not only reflects the cyclical nature of agricultural life but also mirrors the cycles we encounter emotionally and spiritually; there’s a time to grow, a time to harvest.

Moreover, we can’t overlook Ruth's cultural background. As a Moabite, she enters Israel’s society where God had revealed His character as inclusive. Her story heralds God's kindness underlying the Law, inviting outsiders into the fold. So, while she gleaned in fields of harvest, the deeper harvest gleaned in her story is viewed within the lens of love, acceptance, and selfless commitment—elements universal across cultures and ages. Ruth's actions are not merely about survival but are a profound glimpse into the foundations of community and familial bonds, showcasing the timeless and inclusive spirit loved by communities everywhere.