10Then she (A)fell on her face, bowing to the ground and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?"
11Boaz replied to her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know.
12"(B)May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, (C)under whose wings you have come to seek refuge."
Ruth 2:10-12
Ruth was an amazing woman of faith even though she was a foreigner, a Moabite. She was loyal to Naomi and was determine to go wherever she went. I don't know if it was a loyalty to Naomi the person or if she fell in love with God in her. In verse 16 it shows that she was willing to do whatever her mother in law did. Ruth loved Naomi for everything that she was. She wanted to be what Naomi was and it shows.
There's another side to this, the man Boaz. He heard what Ruth had done and undoubtedly had compassion for her. I bet he risked a lot by ordering protection and provisions for her. He also knew that this woman was a Moabite and there was a risk of jeopordizing his inheritance (4:6). But he did what was right, influenced by his Godly values rather than worldly. He showed he followed the laws by offering the inheritance to the closer relative and sealing the deal with the sandal. Both Boaz and Ruth showed an amazing union that produced king David, through Obed & Jesse, his fathers.
God takes us through many journeys for a reason. So many opportunities along both these lives to choose the lesser good but they risked everything, both of them risking all without even knowing that the end result would be Christ Jesus' birth. I need to remind myself that God's best isn't about what's best right now but what's best for eternity.
Father God, thank You for being an amazing Light. You never fail to provide guidance in this fallen world and I pray that the lamp guiding my feet is clear. You give enough for the next step of obedience but invite us to trust Him with the destination. Love You! Amen!
