Meaning of Ruth 2:10

Ruth's question, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?" expresses profound astonishment and humility upon receiving unexpected kindness and protection from Boaz. Having just been granted permission to glean in his fields, an act that would ensure her survival and that of her mother-in-law, Naomi, Ruth is overwhelmed by Boaz's generosity. Her self-identification as a foreigner underscores the rarity and significance of such treatment, as Moabites were generally viewed with suspicion and often disdain by the Israelites. This moment highlights Ruth's vulnerable status and her deep appreciation for Boaz's compassionate actions, which transcend societal prejudices.

Context and Background

The narrative unfolds in Bethlehem during the barley harvest. Ruth, a Moabite widow, had accompanied her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi, back to Judah after the death of their husbands. Naomi, facing destitution, sent Ruth to glean in the fields to provide for them. By chance, Ruth arrived at the field belonging to Boaz, a wealthy and respected kinsman of Naomi's deceased husband, Elimelech. Boaz, upon learning of Ruth's identity and her loyalty to Naomi, was deeply moved and instructed his reapers to be kind to her, even leaving extra grain for her to gather. Ruth 2:10 occurs immediately after Boaz has personally addressed Ruth, assuring her of his protection and provision.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Providence: The verse points to God's unseen hand guiding events, ensuring provision and protection for the vulnerable. Ruth's "chance" arrival in Boaz's field is a demonstration of God's orchestrating power.
• Unmerited Favor: Ruth's astonishment reveals the concept of grace – kindness shown where it is not deserved. She, a foreigner and a widow, is receiving exceptional treatment.
• Hospitality and Compassion: Boaz's actions embody the biblical virtues of hospitality and compassion, particularly towards the stranger, widow, and foreigner.
• Humility and Gratitude: Ruth's bowed posture and her question are expressions of profound humility and sincere gratitude for Boaz's unexpected kindness.
• Identity and Belonging: Ruth's self-awareness as a "foreigner" emphasizes her precarious social position and makes Boaz's acceptance all the more remarkable, hinting at a future integration into Israelite society.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse speaks to the experience of receiving God's grace. Like Ruth, believers often find themselves astonished by God's favor, which is not earned but freely given. It challenges us to recognize and appreciate the unmerited blessings in our lives and to extend similar compassion and hospitality to others, especially those who are marginalized or different from us. Ruth's humility serves as a model for approaching God and others with a teachable and grateful spirit.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Ruth 2:10 is a crucial moment in the unfolding story of redemption. It foreshadows Boaz's role as a kinsman-redeemer, a concept central to Israelite law and to the larger biblical theme of God's redemptive plan for humanity. Ruth's lineage, through Boaz, will eventually lead to the birth of Obed, the grandfather of King David. This demonstrates how God works through seemingly ordinary circumstances and individuals to fulfill His grand purposes, weaving a tapestry of salvation that ultimately points to Jesus Christ, the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer.

Analogies

Imagine a traveler, lost and weary, stumbling upon an oasis in a harsh desert. The water and shade are not something they could have earned, but a gift that sustains them. Ruth, in her vulnerability, is like that traveler, and Boaz's kindness is the life-giving oasis. Another analogy could be a small, struggling sapling in a barren land that is unexpectedly given fertile soil, sunlight, and water by a benevolent gardener, allowing it to flourish and grow strong.

Relation to Other Verses

• Leviticus 19:9-10: "When you reap the harvest of your land, do not sow all the way to the edge of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard again or pick up the fallen grapes of your vineyard. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the Lord your God." Boaz's actions are a direct embodiment of this Mosaic Law, demonstrating his adherence to God's commands concerning the marginalized.
• Deuteronomy 10:18-19: "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. You too must love the foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt." This verse underscores the importance God places on caring for foreigners, a principle Boaz lives out and Ruth recognizes.
• Matthew 25:35-40: Jesus teaches about serving the least of these. Boaz's treatment of Ruth aligns with this teaching, as he shows compassion to someone in need, an act that has eternal significance.
• Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Ruth's astonishment at receiving favor as a foreigner mirrors the believer's astonishment at receiving God's grace, which is a gift, not earned by merit.