Ruth 2:12
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!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Boaz sees Ruth's devotion not just to Naomi, but as a deep commitment to the God of Israel. He's essentially praying that the God she's fled to for refuge will provide her ultimate security and blessing.
Boaz, noticing Ruth working in his fields, inquires about her and is impressed by her devotion to Naomi. After learning she's a foreigner who has chosen to trust in the God of Israel, he blesses her, promising her divine protection and a full reward. This occurs as Ruth is receiving exceptional kindness and provision from Boaz, setting the stage for their future connection.
Boaz’s blessing on Ruth isn't just a polite phrase; it's a profound acknowledgment of her incredible loyalty. What does this verse reveal about the value God places on our love and commitment?
Boaz sees Ruth’s dedication to Naomi – leaving her homeland and caring for her mother-in-law – as an act worthy of divine recognition. He prays that the LORD will fully repay her actions.
The Value of Kindness
God notices and values acts of selfless love, especially when they go against our own comfort or self-interest. Ruth’s commitment wasn’t a duty she had to do; it was a choice born out of deep affection. Boaz’s words highlight that such devotion is not overlooked by heaven.
A Glimpse of God's Heart
This isn't about earning favor through works, but about God’s gracious response to genuine love and faithfulness. He honors the heart that sacrificially loves others, mirroring His own steadfast love.
Ruth has come to 'take refuge under the wings' of the God of Israel. What does this powerful image tell us about trust, belonging, and divine protection?
The phrase 'under whose wings you have come to take refuge' is a beautiful metaphor, drawing from imagery of birds protecting their young.
A Hen and Her Chicks
Just as a mother hen spreads her wings to shield her chicks from danger and the elements, God offers His protective care and warmth to those who seek Him. Ruth, a foreigner in a strange land, found her ultimate security not in Boaz, but in the God of Israel.
Embracing a New Family
For Ruth, this act signified more than just physical safety; it was a declaration of her commitment to the God of Israel and His people. She was choosing to trust in His provision and protection, becoming part of His covenant family. This wasn't just seeking shelter; it was seeking a home.
Understand the original words
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, revealing His faithfulness, holiness, and redemptive relationship with His people.
kanaph · Hebrew Noun
A metaphor for God's protective care, shelter, and intimate presence, often associated with the cherubim over the mercy seat in the tabernacle.
chasah · Hebrew Verb
Seeking safety or protection in God, demonstrating trust in His sovereignty rather than human strength.
Boaz's blessing on Ruth reflects a deeply religious society where expressions of faith and reliance on God were commonplace, even in agricultural settings. His words echo the ancient promises of protection found in the Law, particularly to the marginalized, and highlight Ruth's courageous choice to embrace the God of Israel.
c. 1100 BC
Period of the Judges
Israel experienced cycles of sin, oppression, and deliverance, leading to a period of moral and spiritual decline. This era lacked central leadership, resulting in widespread chaos and injustice.
c. 1100-1050 BC
Solomon's Temple Construction
The magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, a symbol of God's presence and a center for worship, was built. This period represented a religious and national high point for Israel.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Monarchy Established
King David established a strong, unified kingdom, with Jerusalem as its capital. This brought a semblance of order and stability to the land.
c. 970 BC
Solomon's Reign and Wisdom
King Solomon, known for his wisdom, oversaw a period of prosperity and peace. His reign marked a golden age for Israel, though later influenced by foreign wives and idolatry.
This Psalm beautifully echoes the imagery of God's protective wings, stating 'He will cover you with his feathers; under his wings you will find refuge.' It reinforces the idea that seeking shelter under God's care is a source of safety and a profound act of trust.
Matthew 23:37Jesus uses the same tender imagery when lamenting over Jerusalem, saying, 'how often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings.' This shows that God's desire to protect and nurture His people, much like a mother hen, is a consistent theme throughout Scripture.
Deuteronomy 32:11This passage describes God's care for Israel using the metaphor of an eagle carrying its young on its wings. It highlights God's active, powerful, and intimate protection, paralleling Ruth's act of coming under God's wings for refuge.
Psalm 36:7This verse speaks of the preciousness of God's steadfast love and how humans take refuge in the 'shelter of your wings.' It connects the act of seeking refuge with experiencing God's loving-kindness, much like Ruth did with Boaz and ultimately with God.
Genesis 15:1Boaz's words to Ruth have echoes of God's message to Abraham, 'Do not be afraid, I am your shield, your very great reward.' This parallel suggests that finding refuge under God's wings is intimately linked to receiving His protection and abundant blessing.
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 2:12: "The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."
The Lord recompense thy work - The dutiful respect which thou hast paid to thy husband, and thy tender and affectionate attachment to thy aged mother-in-law. And a full reward be given thee - This is spoken with great modesty and piety: The kindness I show thee is little in comparison of thy desert; God alone can give thee a full reward for thy kindness…
Boaz sees Ruth's devotion not just to Naomi, but as a deep commitment to the God of Israel. He's essentially praying that the God she's fled to for refuge will provide her ultimate security and blessing.
Boaz, noticing Ruth working in his fields, inquires about her and is impressed by her devotion to Naomi. After learning she's a foreigner who has chosen to trust in the God of Israel, he blesses her, promising her divine protection and a full reward. This occurs as Ruth is receiving exceptional kindness and provision from Boaz, setting the stage for their future connection.
Boaz, noticing Ruth working in his fields, inquires about her and is impressed by her devotion to Naomi. After learning she's a foreigner who has chosen to trust in the God of Israel, he blesses her, promising her divine protection and a full reward. This occurs as Ruth is receiving exceptional kindness and provision from Boaz, setting the stage for their future connection.
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c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom split into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This division weakened the nation both politically and spiritually.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria to Assyria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrian Empire. Its people were deported and scattered, marking the end of the northern state.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Exile
The Southern Kingdom of Judah fell to the Babylonian Empire. Jerusalem and its Temple were destroyed, and many of its people were exiled to Babylon. This event profoundly impacted Jewish identity and theology.
"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!”" — Boaz sees Ruth's devotion not just to Naomi, but as a deep commitment to the God of Israel. He's essentially praying that the God she's fled to for refuge will provide her ultimate security and bless…
