Under the shadow of his wings

Ruth lost her husband. Now she has given up her life, her prospects and has moved to a strange land to support Naomi, her mother-in-law. She has been able to get work gleaning in a nearby field, owned by a man called Boaz. Despite being a foreigner she is protected, provided for and given refreshment. Ruth cannot understand why she should be treated so well by Boaz and questions him. This is his response:

'The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.' Ruth 2 verse 12

Ruth has made a huge sacrifice and shown great love in all that she has done. So is Boaz saying that it is a repayment then for what she has done?

No, the response is different. Yes, Ruth has acted well, but there is something more important than this. Ruth has come to find safety under the wings of God. Small, vulnerable and threatened coming to God for refuge and counting his protection better than all other things she could rest in. God's chief aim is to bring glory to himself, and in pleading for God's gracious refuge He is glorified. God honours this request and so provides perfect protection. Therefore the point is that she will be rewarded not for the work she has put in, but because of taking refuge under God's wings.

This blog is by a wanderer who, by grace, has come to find mercy, redemption, hope, joy, and rest under the shadow of God's wings.