It was Naomi’s prayer that God would provide Ruth a place of
rest and security ('Menocha' in Hebrew) - that place of rest would be found in the
house of her husband (Ruth 1:9); indeed she wished this for both her daughters
in law after the death of their husbands. She loved them and gave them all she
had available in her power, a prayer that the Lord God would give them a place
they can call home. Naomi’s words were: “May
the Lord show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. May
the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”
(Ruth 1:8b, 9).
We know that the blessing which Naomi spoke over Ruth was
fulfilled. But though whom did the blessing come to Ruth? The story is familiar
to us, she is redeemed by Boaz, an Israelite from the house of Judah – but there
is more to the redemption extended to Ruth – who is the redeemer? A closer look at the Hebrew text
reveals a richness which is missed in English translations.
Ruth meets Boaz on his field when she goes out to glean for
herself and her mother in law – he meets her with kindness and shows her instantaneous
favour. When she enquires of him: “Why
have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” (Ruth
2:10) he answers her: “May the Lord repay
you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel
The word for ‘his wings’ is ‘knaphaeo’ – We encounter the
same Hebrew root elsewhere in Ruth – Ruth speaks a similar utterance to Boaz ‘kenapheka’
(here rendered as ‘your garment’); “I am Ruth
your maidservant,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since
you are a kinsman-redeemer.” (Ruth 3:9) The same hebrew root is behind the words rendered here 'wings' and 'garment'.
In these simple mirroring words, we see the heart and
character of God revealed. He is the source of refuge to those who seek him.
YHVH spreads his wings over the foreigners who return to him, redeeming them to
himself. As a worshiper of YHVH, Boaz is a reflection of this character, one
who spreads his garment over those who seek his compassion and provision. As in
the words of the Apostle Paul to gentile believers in Ephesus, “Consequently,
you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people
and members of God’s household” (Eph 2:19)
Ruth learns to seek refuge under God’s wings, the very God
who blesses her and meets her every need, and the God who is faithful. She is blessed
by Boaz but first and foremost her greatest gift is in her God and Redeemer.
