Ruth 2:10
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?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Ruth's question is more than just surprise; it's a deep recognition of her outsider status, a reminder of the historical exclusion of foreigners like Moabites from Israel. She's not just a stranger; she's from a people specifically forbidden from entering the Lord's assembly, making Boaz's kindness incredibly profound and unexpected.
Boaz, a wealthy landowner, has just encountered Ruth gleaning in his fields and, impressed by her kindness and loyalty to Naomi, has instructed his reapers to treat her favorably and even to leave extra grain for her. Ruth, overwhelmed by this unexpected and extraordinary kindness, expresses her profound gratitude and astonishment, questioning why someone like Boaz would even notice her, a foreign Moabite woman with no standing in Israel.
Ruth's reaction isn't just a polite nod; it's a physical expression of awe. Why does she prostrate herself?
When Ruth falls on her face and bows to the ground, she's demonstrating extreme humility and respect. This posture was common in the ancient Near East when approaching someone of high rank or when showing deep reverence to God.
Ruth is overwhelmed not just by the kindness, but by who is showing it and to whom. What makes her identity so significant?
Ruth's central question, 'Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, seeing I am a stranger?' gets to the heart of her astonishment. As a foreigner, and specifically a Moabite woman, she was outside the typical social and religious circles of Israel.
Understand the original words
chen · Hebrew Noun
A term of protection, kinship, or benevolent care; it refers to the unmerited kindness or grace shown by a superior to an inferior, often involving provision and protection.
nokriyah · Hebrew Noun
One who belongs to another nation or people; in Israelite law, while foreigners were to be treated with justice, they remained outside the direct covenant blessings until they proselytized or, as in Ruth's case, demonstrated profound faith.
Ruth's humble awe at Boaz's kindness highlights the stark social and religious divide between Israelites and foreigners like Moabites. Boaz's protection transcends this, foreshadowing a deeper inclusion that would later come through kinship and divine providence.
c. 1100 BC
Period of the Judges
This era in Israel's history was marked by a cyclical pattern of disobedience, oppression, deliverance, and peace, often occurring in the absence of strong central leadership.
c. 1100 BC - 1000 BC
Israelites Migrate to Moab
During a famine in Israel, Elimelech and his family migrated to the land of Moab, where they settled and his sons married Moabite women, including Ruth.
c. 1050 BC
Death of Elimelech and Sons
After settling in Moab, Elimelech died, followed by his sons Mahlon and Chilion, leaving Naomi widowed and her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, also widowed.
c. 1045 BC
Naomi Returns to Bethlehem
Grieved and without male heirs, Naomi decided to return to her hometown of Bethlehem, urging her daughters-in-law to return to their own families. Ruth famously pledged her loyalty to Naomi.
This passage shows a Gentile woman's humility and persistence in seeking Jesus' favor, mirroring Ruth's astonishment and humble plea when a foreigner receiving kindness.
Luke 17:11-19The story of the ten lepers, one of whom was a Samaritan (a foreigner), returning to give thanks highlights the theme of foreigners finding favor and expressing profound gratitude for God's unexpected grace.
Ephesians 2:11-13Paul speaks about Gentiles being formerly alienated from God's covenants, but now brought near through Christ, echoing Ruth's foreign status and her unexpected inclusion and favor within Israel's community.
Psalm 142:4The Psalmist cries out that 'no one cares for me,' revealing a deep sense of being overlooked and without refuge, which resonates with Ruth's feeling of vulnerability and surprise at Boaz's kind attention as a stranger.
henryRuth 2:4-16: "And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee."
2:4-16 The pious and kind language between Boaz and his reapers shows that there were godly persons in Israel. Such language as this is seldom heard in our field; too often, on the contrary, what is immoral and corrupt. A stranger would form a very different opinion of our land, from that which Ruth would form of Israel from the converse and conduct…
clarkeRuth 2:10: "Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?"
Then she fell on her face - Prostrated herself, as was the custom in the East when inferiors approached those of superior rank. The Targum adds to the conversation between Ruth and Boaz: "How, says she, have I obtained grace in thy sight, that thou shouldest acknowledge me who am a stranger and one of…
Ruth's question is more than just surprise; it's a deep recognition of her outsider status, a reminder of the historical exclusion of foreigners like Moabites from Israel. She's not just a stranger; she's from a people specifically forbidden from entering the Lord's assembly, making Boaz's kindness incredibly profound and unexpected.
Boaz, a wealthy landowner, has just encountered Ruth gleaning in his fields and, impressed by her kindness and loyalty to Naomi, has instructed his reapers to treat her favorably and even to leave extra grain for her. Ruth, overwhelmed by this unexpected and extraordinary kindness, expresses her profound gratitude and astonishment, questioning why someone like Boaz would even notice her, a foreign Moabite woman with no standing in Israel.
Boaz, a wealthy landowner, has just encountered Ruth gleaning in his fields and, impressed by her kindness and loyalty to Naomi, has instructed his reapers to treat her favorably and even to leave extra grain for her. Ruth, overwhelmed by this unexpected and extraordinary kindness, expresses her profound gratitude and astonishment, questioning why someone like Boaz would even notice her, a foreign Moabite woman with no standing in Israel.
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Ruth's personal experience of unexpected kindness points to a much grander reality. What theological truth is woven into this moment?
Boaz's gracious treatment of Ruth, and Ruth's astonished reception of it, foreshadow a divine plan. This interaction isn't just about Boaz being a good man; it's about God's redemptive work unfolding.
c. 1045 BC— this verse
Ruth Gleans in Boaz's Field
Arriving in Bethlehem during the barley harvest, Ruth went to glean in the fields to support herself and Naomi, eventually finding herself in the field belonging to Boaz, a relative of Naomi's late husband.
c. 1045 BC
Boaz Shows Kindness to Ruth
Boaz, upon learning of Ruth's identity and loyalty, instructs his workers to allow her to glean freely, protect her, and even share food with her, showing remarkable favor to a foreign woman.
"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's question is more than just surprise; it's a deep recognition of her outsider status, a reminder of the historical exclusion of foreigners like Moabites from Israel. She's not just a stranger;…
