Ruth at the Threshing Floor - Continue

  Boaz spoke, and no doubt his gentle, soothing tone comforted Ruth.   He said: "Blessed may you be of Jehovah, my daughter.   You have expressed your loving-kindness better in the last instance than in the first instance, in not going after the young fellows whether lowly or rich." (Ruth 3:10) "The first instance" referred to Ruth's loyal love in accompanying Naomi back to Israel and caring for her. "The last instance" Was the present one. Boaz noted that a young woman like Ruth might easily have sought a husband among much younger men, whether rich or poor. Rather, she wanted to do good not only to Naomi but also to Naomi's deceased husband, to carry on the dead man's name in his homeland, it is not hard to see why Boaz was moved by this young woman's unselfishness. 

Boaz continued: "And now, my daughter, do not be afraid. All that you shall I shall do for you, for everyone in the gate of my people is aware that you are an excellent woman." (Ruth 3:11) He was pleased at the prospect of marrying Ruth; perhaps he was not completely surprised to be asked to be her repurchaser. However, Boaz was a righteous man, and he was not about to act merely on his own preferences. He told Ruth that there was another repurchaser, one more closely related to the family of Naomi's dead husband. Boaz would approach that man first and give him the opportunity to become Ruth's husband. 

Next time: Ruth at the Threshing Floor - Conclusion

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