Ruth 2: 8-13… Boaz speaks encouragingly.

Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.” Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favour in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” 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. 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!” Then she said, “I have found favour in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.”

Comment: She has ‘caught Boaz’s eye’ and he does everything to make her welcome, far more than the law demands of him! She acknowledges his goodness to her and that she is a foreigner. Was it with this admission that Boaz recognized who she was? With her admission he showed that he obviously knew a lot about her. Foreigners weren’t all that welcome in Israel. His knowledge is not surprising as the town wasn’t huge and he and Naomi were of the same family group. Boaz pronounces a Godly blessing on her. The wording of the blessing is beautiful. ‘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!’ She, humbly, thanks him for his generosity. She knows he doesn’t owe her anything but is thankful for his generosity.

Prayer: Help me to see good in people, if it is there!