11 But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. 12 The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” – Ruth 2:11-12
Ruth’s Dilemma
Ruth was in a difficult position. She was a young widow living in a foreign land. She was more than just an outsider, she was an “enemy”. Naomi’s son Mahlon may have gone against his religion and his culture when he married Ruth in Moab, but the likelihood of finding a man in Israel to marry her would have been marginal at best. Naomi implied as much when she told Orpah and Ruth to stay in Moab and not accompany her to Bethlehem. She referred to her age and her inability to have any more sons. And besides, even if she could, her widowed daughters-in-law would not want to wait around for them to reach “marrying” age. In other words, my sons are dead and I won’t be having any more and no one else in Bethlehem will stoop to marrying you. So stay in Moab with your own people. But, as we have already seen, Ruth was committed to Naomi, and Naomi’s people were now her people as well.
Ruth’s Encounter
As previously mentioned, among the people of Naomi, Ruth encounters Boaz. Aware of the sacrifices Ruth has made for Naomi, Boaz asks that Yahweh, under whose wings Ruth has come to take refuge, will bless her for her kindness towards Naomi. When he does so, Boaz explicitly states what the text has so far only implied, Ruth is a woman of great faith. Faith not placed in the idols of Moab, but rather Yahweh, the living God. The great I Am. The only source of true refuge. When he spoke these kind words to Ruth, could Boaz have had any inclination the extent to which Yahweh was going to provide and protect Naomi and Ruth through him? Regardless, the illustration of the wings of God wasn’t lost on Ruth.
Ruth’s Boldness
Later in the text, we find Ruth at the feet of Boaz. Per Naomi’s request Ruth has broken all protocol and gone to the threshing floor by herself in the dark of night to seek the aid of Boaz. At midnight Boaz is alarmed to find a woman at his feet and asks her to identify herself, to which Ruth responds, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer” (Ruth 3:9b).
Look closely again at the way Ruth answers Boaz. Startled, Boaz simply asked, “Who are you?”. In her brief answer, Ruth succinctly summarizes the position of humanity. I am Ruth. I am your servant. I am desperate. I humbly come to your feet because you are a redeemer. Therefore, “spread your wings over your servant.”
Ruth’s Redeemer
Ruth not only identified herself, she also identified Boaz. As impressive a person as Ruth was, there was only so much she could do for Naomi and herself. While she was hardworking and resourceful, she had her limitations and she recognized such. She needed a redeemer and Naomi pointed her to him. Being the wise person that she was, Ruth wasted no time in seeking him out. When she came to him, she asked him to answer his own prayer.
Out of love for Naomi and Ruth, Boaz spread his wings over his servant. As the next day dawned, Boaz promptly went to the city gate, and surrounded by witnesses, redeemed Naomi and Ruth. Before he did however, he had to give first option to a redeemer that was nearer (i.e. a closer relative). The exchange between Boaz and this other relative is interesting to follow. The relative is interested in playing the role of the redeemer until Boaz mentions that Ruth, the Moabite, is part of the deal. If you want to redeem the land of Elimilech, you also agree to redeem this widowed Moabite, “in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance” (Ruth 4:5b).
The text is silent as to why Ruth is a deal breaker for the closer relative, but it is interesting in light of Naomi’s earlier concerns of finding a man in Bethlehem to marry Ruth, that Boaz emphasizes her Moabite heritage. While the closer relative walks away, Boaz is able to finally fulfill the role of kinsman redeemer. His love is not blind. Like Ruth, he practices hesed. Like God, he spread out his wings over Ruth because his love was greater than any prejudice.
The Wings of God
Once, when Jesus looked over the city of Jerusalem He lamented their stubbornness and rebellion and with a broken heart testified that He wanted to gather her children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wing. Sadly, instead of taking refuge in Christ, the people of Jerusalem killed Him just as they did the prophets.
In many ways, Boaz represents Christ. Christ was sent to be our redeemer.
Like Ruth, we are desperate. We are living in a foreign land. Despite our talents and work ethic we are limited. More than we want to admit. We can never redeem ourselves. Like Ruth, we need to come to the feet of our Redeemer. We need to admit that we are “in bondage” and only Christ can redeem us. We know He is willing. We know He is capable. We know His love does not discriminate. Regardless of our heritage, He is willing to make us His bride. In fact, He died so He could. Our only refuge is “under His wings”.
It may be humbling, but there is no better place to be.
10 Then she fell on her face, bowing 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