Ruth 2:8-13
Why Have You Noticed Me
Read the passage
8Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Do not go and glean in another field, and do not go away from this place, but stay here close to my servant girls.
9Let your eyes be on the field they are harvesting, and follow along after these girls. Indeed, I have ordered the young men not to touch you. And when you are thirsty, go and drink from the jars the young men have filled.”
10At this, she fell on her face, bowing low to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you should take notice of me, even though I am a foreigner?”
11Boaz replied, “I have been made fully aware of all you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth, and how you came to a people you did not know before.
12May the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge.”
13“My lord,” she said, “may I continue to find favor in your eyes, for you have comforted and spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your servant girls.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Boaz calls Ruth “my daughter” and invites her to remain in his field, close to his servant girls. He has told the young men not to touch her, and she may drink from the water they have drawn. His welcome has practical terms she can understand.
Ruth bows low and asks why he has noticed her with such favor when she is a foreigner. Boaz answers with what he has heard: her care for Naomi since her husband's death, her departure from her parents and homeland, and her coming to a people she did not previously know.
Then he asks the LORD to reward her. His image is of refuge beneath the wings of Israel's God. Ruth's move to Israel is more than a change of address; she has sought shelter with the LORD. Boaz's own treatment of her gives that welcome practical expression in the field.
Ruth says his kind words have comforted her, though she is not one of his servant girls. She has been heard, provided for, and given a place to work. Boaz has answered her question about being a foreigner with recognition of her faithfulness and a blessing in the name of the God she has come to trust.
Questions
1 What practical help does Boaz give Ruth?
AnswerHe invites her to remain near his servant girls, orders the young men not to touch her, and gives her access to their drinking water.
2 What has Boaz heard about her?
AnswerHe knows of her care for Naomi and her leaving her parents and homeland to join a people she did not know.
3 Whose protection does he picture as sheltering wings?
AnswerThe LORD’s. He says Ruth has taken refuge under the wings of the God of Israel and asks Him to reward her.
4 How could we make a welcome clearer to a newcomer?
AnswerWe could explain where they can join in, what help is available, and whom to ask if there is a problem. Kindness becomes more useful when people know what it means for them.
What This Means for Us
A warm word and a practical action belong together. When welcoming someone, make the arrangements clear and follow through on them. Boaz prays for Ruth and uses his authority to protect and provide for her. We can also ask for God's care while accepting responsibility for the care within our reach.
Prayer
Lord, help us welcome people with both kindness and useful action. Make us dependable in the responsibilities You give us, and teach us to find our own refuge in You. Amen.