Title: The Second Conversation Between Boaz and Ruth
Ruth 2:11-13
Boaz answered her and said, "I have heard clearly all that you have done to your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and that you have left your father and mother and your homeland to a people whom you have never known before. May the LORD God grant you a full reward for coming to seek protection under her wings. Ruth said to her, "My lord, I wish to find favor with you. I am not like one of your maidservants, but you comfort her and make her heart happy." you have spoken
This is the second conversation between Boaz and Ruth. In verse 11, there are three words of Boaz praising Ruth, in verse 12 Boaz blessing Ruth, and in verse 13 Ruth again gives thanks for it.
2:10, "I am a foreign woman, so why do you show me great favor and look after me?"
Ruth was truly humble. In gratitude for the kindness that Boaz had bestowed upon him, he fell on his face and bowed. In this way, Ruth is also an example of humility for us Christians. In Luke 18:11-14, a Pharisee and a tax collector are praying in the temple. In contrast to the prayers of the Pharisees, the tax collector did not raise his head when he prayed, but beat his chest and repented of his sins. Seeing this, Jesus exalted the publicans to come.
Luke 18:14, "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified than the other. Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
When we humble ourselves, God exalts us.
Job 22:29, "If you are humbled, say that you will be exalted; for God saves the humble."
Proverbs 3:34, "Surely he laughs at the scornful, and shows kindness to the humble."
When Ruth shows such humility, Boaz exalts her. give praise.
First, let's look at what Boaz praises. He praised Ruth for three things.
2:11, "I have heard clearly all that you have done to your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you left your father and mother and your country to a people whom you had never known before."
First, I commend Ruth for her filial deeds toward her mother-in-law, Naomi. "Since your husband died." Who was Ruth's husband? Ruth's husband was Marlon (4:10). "Everything you did to your mother-in-law." Who is your mother-in-law? This is Naomi. What was everything Ruth had done to Naomi?
Ruth 1:8, "Naomi said to her two wives, "Go, each of you, to your mother's house, as you have done good to the dead and to me."
Ruth was good to Naomi. This filial piety was known by Boaz when he heard it.
Second, he said, "Leave your parents and your homeland." They praised Ruth for leaving her parents and her country. Naomi urged Ruth to return to her homeland, Moab, with her parents, but instead of leaving her poor mother-in-law, she left her parents and her homeland. Ruth sacrificed herself. He praised the sacrifice of leaving his beloved hometown for the sake of his poor mother-in-law, Naomi.
Third, he praised the "come to a people they had never known before." What kind of people were the people from whom you did not know before? The people of Judah. He did not know where he was going, but God commanded Abraham, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land I have shown you." Although he did not know where he was going, Abraham obeyed God's word and went. But to Abraham, God had a promise. “I will give you this land, and I will make your descendants prosperous, and I will make you a blessing.” But Ruth has no such promise. Nevertheless, Ruth followed her mother-in-law to a people she knew nothing about. Great faith, great adventure.
Boaz praised Ruth in three ways. The first praised Ruth's filial deeds, the second was Ruth's sacrifice, and the third was Ruth's faith or adventure.
2:11 In the last part, it is said, "I have heard of Ruth's deeds." Boaz had already heard about Ruth. And because Boaz praised Ruth, it can be seen that Boaz heard a good side about Ruth. Then how should the rumors about us spread? Can we be praised by our neighbors? We must show them a beautiful image so that people can praise them.
Boaz, who praised Ruth, blesses Ruth this time.
2:12, "May the LORD repay you for what you have done, and may the LORD, the God of Israel, give you a full reward under his wings for your protection."
First, he prayed that Jehovah would repay Ruth for what she had done. We find here that God is a rewarding God.
2 Samuel 22:21, "The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; he has rewarded me according to the cleanliness of my hands."
Psalm 18:20, "The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; he has rewarded me according to the cleanliness of my hands."
Proverbs 11:18, "The wages of the wicked are in vain, but the reward of those who sow righteousness is certain."
1 Corinthians 9:24, "Do you not know that in the field all runners run away, but only one wins the prize? Run in the same way that you may win."
Hebrews 11:6, "Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Hebrews 11:26, "The reproach received for the sake of Christ was regarded as greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt, for they looked to the reward."
Boaz is saying that the kindness he had bestowed was not even one tenth of what Ruth had done. Therefore, it is emphasizing that there is only Jehovah God who can repay Ruth for all that she has done. It is said that only God can bless Ruth for what she has done.
He continued to pray that God would protect him as well as reward him. It shows us that God is a God of reward and a God of refuge and protection. What does Boaz compare Ruth to? The word "under the wing" comes from. From these words, we can see that Ruth is being compared to a frail young bird who desperately needs help and needs protection. He said, "I want to give you a full reward, who came to seek protection under his wings." May God reward and protect Ruth for everything she has done.
God is the God who protects and protects us. In many places in the Bible, we can find God who embraces us and protects us. With these words, we can receive great comfort, gain courage, and live.
Psalm 36:7, "How precious is Your mercy, O God! Life takes refuge under the shadow of Your wings."
Psalm 91:4, "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will take refuge; his truth is a shield and a shield for his hands."
I hope that God will fully reward all of you who came out this morning without forgetting this time to meet God in order to wake up and pray to God. It is very difficult to get up early in the morning to pray. However, it is difficult, but after praying to God, God will take care of us completely, take care of our health, and give us peace of mind. It is sometimes difficult to pray, but you must know that through my prayers my family is at peace. It is difficult to pray, but we must remember that because I pray, our territory is comfortable, our church is comfortable, and our country is safe. With this mission, I hope that you and I will always remember this time and work hard to get up early in the morning and pray to God.
In verse 13, Ruth responds to Boaz's words of praise and blessing. Thank you.
"Ruth said, "My lord, I want to find favor with you."
Ruth starts talking to Boaz by saying, "My lord." Some people do a little good and are treated well, and there are those who climb up in our commonly used words. But Ruth kept her position. "My lord." The relationship between you and me is that you are the master and I am the servant. "I want to find favor with you." How dare you refuse the grace that has been bestowed upon you. Rather, it means to be grateful.
In the Bible, we often see the expression of receiving grace.
Gen 33:15, "And Esau said, "I will abide with you my servants." Jacob said, "Why? May I find favor in my lord."
2 Samuel 16:4, "The king said to Sheba, "Mephibosheth has it, and it is yours." Sheba said, "I bow down. My lord, king, grant me favor in the presence of the king."
Even if someone offers to help, they say "Am I the beggar?" and refuse. Some say they will neither give nor receive. This is all unbiblical. You can give when you know how to be loved. Those who realize that God has greatly forgiven them can forgive. A person who knows that he has been greatly loved by God can love others. In some cases, receiving love from others and knowing how to give generously when needed, and helping each other live, that is the Bible. It is unbiblical to claim that I need no help, no help, and only live on my own.
How aggressive are these words, "Ruth said, My lord, I wish to find favor with you"? He said, "I will receive the grace you have given me with gratitude without giving up."
Then Ruth explained two reasons for being grateful.
“I am not like one of your maids, but you comforted her and spoke words that made her heart happy.”
First, he thanked Boaz for his comfort. “I am not like one of your maids, but you comfort her.” I am worse than your maidservant, but thank you for comforting me. When Ruth came to a land she did not know at all and went out to the field early in the morning to glean barley, there must have been many worries in her mind. Wouldn't customs come from other places to be reviled or despised?