Ruth 2:11-12

Ruth 2:11-12

Ruth 2:10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes that you have regard for me,

even though I am a foreigner?”

¹¹ And In Strength (Boaz) answered and said to her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully told to me,

indeed the way you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth,

and came to a people that you did not previously know.

 ¹² “May YHWH fully reward your work,

and may your wages be paid in full from the YHWH, the God of Israel,

to whom you have come in order to seek refuge under His wings.”

Introduction

Our text this morning continues our study of the book of Ruth.

Notice then the story thus far: Ruth mistakenly wanders into Boaz’s field and begins gleaning there without permission.

However, instead of running her off, Boaz does right the opposite. He tells her not to go glean in any other field. Instead, she is to stay in his field, where he will insure her safety. Not only that, he moves her from last in the gleaning line to actually standing with his own workers (something no gleaner was allowed to do). Finally, he tells her that whenever she is thirsty, his servants will actually serve her.

Ruth is overwhelmed and baffled. She can’t understand this extraordinary and unheard of kindness. Therefore, all she can manage to do is ask why? Why have you shown me this great kindness especially since I am a foreigner?

In our text this morning we hear Boaz’s answer.

Verse 11 ^FN#1

Notice at once the answer/explanation that Boaz gives to Ruth: Not only that, remember Ruth’s question asked two specific things: first, she asks why Boaz has shown her such kindness; and second she asks why he shown this kindness to a foreigner? However, notice the surprise: when Boaz turns to answer the first part of Ruth’s question, he leaves out the seemingly obvious reason for his help. He says nothing at all about his kinship to Naomi. Why? Boaz’s relation to Naomi is not the primary reason for his help (it’s a factor; it’s just not the main/deciding factor). In other words, had Ruth and Naomi been freeloaders, troublemakers, or loose women he would not have felt compelled to help them. Therefore, when Boaz answers, he focuses on the primary reasons for his actions. As such, Boaz begins with Ruth’s character. Notice then Boaz says that he knows all that Ruth has done for her mother-in-law, even though her husband has died (and thus her obligation to Naomi is concluded)^FN#2. In other words, the first part of Boaz’s answer points out that Ruth’s kindness and diligence have warranted a like kindness in return. However, notice Boaz’s emphasis here: Boaz does not merely say that he has heard about Ruth or that he has a general understanding of her situation. Instead, two times in this short phrase, Boaz underscores the thorough nature of his knowledge. Notice then Boaz says all that you have done has been fully told to me. In other words, Boaz is not simply aware of Ruth’s impoverishment, grief, and the great self-sacrifice she has made just to assist Naomi. All of that is just surface details that anyone who is in on the local gossip would know. Instead, Boaz’s answer points to somethings much deeper that sits behind all those details (Boaz not only knows the what, he also knows the why) ^FN#3. Spoiler alert: what Boaz is pointing to is God’s acceptance of Ruth as His child.

Next, notice Boaz’s answer transitions from Ruth’s character and kindness, to the second issue that Ruth raised about being a foreigner. Notice then when Ruth says I am a foreigner, Boaz responds that she has left that foreign land. That is, Boaz says that he knows the way that Ruth has left father, mother, and the land of her birth. However, notice the more to it behind Boaz’s reply: Boaz understands that this move means that Ruth has left more than just her friends and family; her financial security; as well as a chance for remarriage and thus a brighter future (c.f. 1:8-9). In addition, Boaz also understands that to leave the land of her birth means that Ruth has left behind all the customs, practices, and pagan gods of that people. Importance: Boaz’s answer is beginning to unfold exactly what that something is which is the basis for his lavish kindness to Ruth. Again what is becoming increasingly clear is that this basis is the great theme of God’s acceptance of Ruth, upon which every detail that follows in the book is founded.

Finally, notice the shift in perspective that Boaz’s answer takes: Boaz says that Ruth has come to a people she did not previously know. In other words, Boaz turns from describing what Ruth has left to discussing what she has actively embraced. Notice then Boaz understands that Ruth has come to a people whose God and customs are very different from the land of her birth. In other words, Boaz knows that Ruth’s move has been a relocation not just of the feet but more importantly of her heart. Importance: when Boaz says that he has been fully told “all that Ruth has done” a large part of what Boaz means includes Ruth’s conversion and her oath to YHWH. In other words, behind every detail of Boaz’s explanation of his kindness is his understanding that Ruth’s conversion is the key factor in her willingness to leave her own land and endure all manner of hardship. Ruth has intentionally left land, customs, and gods for YHWH, His land, and His people. Simply put, when Ruth asks why such kindness since I am a foreigner, Boaz answers “but you’re not”

Verse 12

Notice at once, verse 12 confirms our understanding this far: Ruth has turned to YHWH and therefore (in a book that is all about names) Boaz asks YHWH to bless her ^FN#4. In other words, the full report that has reached Boaz has included Ruth’s conversion and her oath to YHWH. As such, Boaz prays that the God who Ruth now follows will bless her in her endeavors to serve and please Him. Notice then what Boaz prays: first he asks that YHWH will fully reward Ruth’s work. Next, He prays that her wages will be fully paid by YHWH ^FN#5. Importance: notice at once the picture behind Boaz’s blessing: Ruth has joined herself to YHWH (a fact that the strength of the imagery that Boaz uses here indicates that he knows full well). As such, Boaz depicts YHWH (not himself) as the landowner and master under whose care Ruth has come. Not only that, notice that Boaz’s blessing is expressed in terms of things that are of first importance to any servant or worker. Think about it: a main concern of any worker is that they not be stiffed, short changed, or have their work go unnoticed/undervalued. Therefore, Boaz prays that God will take full notice of Ruth and reward/pay/recompense her in full for her faith and faithfulness. Importance: right now in the text, Ruth still sees herself as just a foreigner in God’s land. As such, she cannot begin to understand why this prominent landowner, much less God, would take any notice of her. However, Boaz’s answer to Ruth informs her that everything has changed for her in the most profound and eternal manner. God has accepted her as His own. As such, she is now God servant, working God’s land, and a part of God’s household. ^FN#6

Finally, notice, if there is any doubt that behind everything Boaz has said is his knowledge of Ruth’s conversion, he goes on to add that the God from whom he seeks this blessing is the very God to whom Ruth has come in order to seek refuge under His wings. In other words, Boaz is not just describing what Ruth has done but why she has done it. Importance: to seek refuge under YHWH’s wings means far more than just to find yourself in His land. Instead, it denotes a deliberate and intentional act (something that Ruth has sought; not just something that happened to her). Notice then what Ruth has deliberately sought: Not only that, notice the specific covenant imagery that Boaz uses to describe it. Where? Throughout Scripture the notion of being under YHWH’s wings always denotes an inclusion in YHWH’s covenant and a placement under His blessings and care (c.f. PS 63:7 ^FN#7). In other words, every detail of what Boaz has said in verses 11-12 underscores the fact that Ruth’s conversion is the primary factor behind everything she has done.

Bottom line: running through every aspect of this passage is the great theme of acceptance. In other words, what is happening here is about far more than just grain or deliverance.  In fact, before we see YHWH’s deliverance we first see His acceptance of this young woman ^FN#8. Notice the result: when Ruth asks Boaz why he has shown her this kindness, he answers her, because you are YHWH’s child and YHWH has accepted you.

Footnotes

1] Notice at once the electricity in the visual contrast with which verse 11 opens: on one hand Ruth is in a heap on the ground overcome with emotion. Everything about her visual points to a situation that is frail and tenuous at best. However, by contrast, Boaz is standing. Not only that, his actions, words, and station in life all point to stability and strength. Importance: remember we have been shown over and again that YHWH is the strength behind In Strength. YHWH has blesses and YHWH has placed Boaz in a position to help. In other words, through Boaz, we are watching YHWH’s acceptance and His heart to deliver.

2] In other words, the young field watcher was right. Thus, when he gave his report to Boaz, he knew that his master had already heard all about Ruth (“she is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi” -2:6).

3] In all likelihood, Boaz hears of Naomi’s return and because she is a kinswoman he inquires further into the matter and gets the full story.

4] Importance: in a book that is all about names Boaz uses God’s specific covenant name to bless Ruth. In other words, Boaz does not merely tell Ruth that he hopes everything goes well for her or that her Moabite gods will look favorably upon her. Instead, Boaz specifically prays that YHWH, the one true living God, will bless her. In fact, at every point in the book when YHWH’s name is invoked it signals that something of spiritual significance is taking place (be it Naomi’s witness, Ruth’s oath, or Boaz’s character). In a book that is all about names, YHWH’s name indicates YHWH is at work.

5] Notice Boaz goes on to specify that YHWH, from whom this blessing is sought, is the specific God of Israel. Importance: Boaz’s specification mirrors the specific nature of Ruth’s decision. In other words, Boaz blesses Ruth in the specific name of the God of Israel because Ruth has left the land and gods of her people and specifically/intentionally joined herself to YHWH, His people, and His land.

6] Notice again the way Boaz’s heart mirrors YHWH’s heart. First, Boaz is a genuine believer. Second, YHWH is the strength behind In Strength. Finally, YHWH will answer Boaz’s prayer/blessing through Boaz’s faithfulness, provision, and care. In other words, as YHWH’s instrument, we see YHWH’s hand/care in Boaz’s actions. In fact, this is point that holds true for us as well today. God blesses, comforts, and prepares us so that through us He may bless those around us (II Cor 1:3-4). Such then is the active nature of grace and the active part/joy that God has given us in the healing that He provides.

7] You will also find the same covenantal imagery in- Gen 1:2;  Ex 40:30;  Deut 32:9-12;  Ps 91:4; 105:39;  Acts 2:1-4;  Rev 7:15

8] The order here of acceptance then deliverance is of vital importance. Thus, before YHWH delivers Ruth and then delivers through her, He first receives her as His child (the greatest deliverance, provision and blessing of all and upon which all others rest). One final point: one might ponder the subtlety of the way the author handles Ruth’s conversion. Thus, rather than being out front about it, he is more subdued and understated. As such, the author makes us work for and be attentive to what he is telling us. As such, he draws us in to the account. Second, the subtlety of the way the author alerts us to Ruth’s conversion and deals with it through the early portion of the book mirrors the way that everyone in the book has encountered this conversion and the work that God has done thus far. In other words, to this point no one has seen the full significance of Ruth’s conversion nor the indication it represents that God’s hand/favor have been at work all along- preparing both Ruth and Boaz for what He has in store. However, it is gradually becoming clearer and clearer to all involved in the account.