Read Ruth 3:10–11
A GREATER KINDNESS?
We left yesterday on a cliffhanger. How will Boaz respond to Ruth’s bold
wedding proposal (v. 9)?
At first glance, Boaz’s reply seems strange. Rather than commenting on
Ruth’s boldness, he focuses on her kindness (v. 10). Why? After all, surely he
is the one we hope will show kindness – by marrying Ruth?
And yet Boaz sees astounding kindness in Ruth’s actions: ‘This kindness is
greater than that which you showed earlier: you have not run after the
younger men, whether rich or poor’ (v. 10). So what exactly is this ‘greater’
kindness that Ruth has shown?
KIND TO WHOM?
We might assume Boaz means Ruth’s kindness to him. After all, she’s
indicated a willingness to marry him – rather than any younger potential
suitors.
But is that what Boaz means? Does that count as even ‘greater’ than the
covenant love Ruth had previously shown to Naomi (1:16–17)?
Consider again Ruth’s actions. She has followed Naomi’s audacious plan to
approach Boaz in the middle of the night (3:5). She has been willing to offer
herself to Boaz in marriage, in order that Naomi’s family is redeemed (3:9).
To whom has Ruth now shown a ‘greater’ kindness? To Naomi. This
incident has powerfully demonstrated that Ruth is willing to use her life to
provide an heir to Naomi and Elimelek, Naomi’s dead husband.
Therefore, Boaz’s comment about Ruth not running after ‘younger men’ (v.
10) is not so much about Ruth choosing Boaz over a ‘younger model’, but
about Ruth choosing Naomi’s future over her own preferences.
THE REAL LOVE STORY
We often think of this book as a love story between Boaz and Ruth. Actually,
the book’s real focus is on the deep covenant love Ruth shows to Naomi.
Wonderfully, Boaz then confirms he is willing to redeem them: ‘I will do
for you all you ask’ (v. 11). But the clear emphasis here is on Ruth’s actions
moving Boaz’s heart. He even says that the whole of Bethlehem has
recognised her as ‘a woman of noble character’ (v. 11).
This is a very particular phrase. Firstly, it matches the earlier description of
Boaz as ‘a man of standing’ (2:1), showing they’re a perfect fit! But secondly,
it’s the same phrase famously used in Proverbs 31:10. And staggeringly, Ruth
is the only woman in the whole Bible described as fitting the bill!
IF THE CAP FITS
Fascinatingly, the book of Proverbs (rather than the book of Judges)
originally came immediately before Ruth. So Israelite readers would have
read Proverbs’ incredible description of the woman of ‘noble character’ and
then seen her fleshed out in Ruth chapter 3. Yet this woman is a foreign,
childless widow scavenging for scraps. That’s hardly what we might imagine
when reading Proverbs 31!
In fact, Proverbs 31 resonates with what we’ve seen of Ruth. She was a
woman who ‘laughs at the time to come’ and who has ‘kindness … on her
tongue’ (Proverbs 31:25–26, esv). Against all preconceptions, it is this
Moabite who embodies the dazzling beauty of kindness and a steady trust in
God’s providence.
REFLECTION
As we journey through Ruth, we become captivated by the kindness of the
characters in the story. And perhaps our thoughts go to another young woman
who was willing to submit her life to God: Mary, the mother of Jesus. These
women ‘enflesh’ the steadfast kindness of God for us, and in doing so, they give
us a glimpse of Christ. Pray we’d do likewise!
Listen to ‘Mary’s Song’ by Robbie Seay Band
Discipleship
Discipleship