If you are like me, you may have read the story of Ruth before and thought Ruth pursued Boaz (see chapter 3). However, as I re-read chapter 2 today, I am increasingly convinced that Boaz pursued Ruth. I don't think Ruth ever would have approached Boaz in chapter 3 if he had not torn down the barriers between them in these first game changing encounters in chapter 2.
Almost immediately from their first encounter, Boaz put himself in the role of protector over Ruth. He ensured her safety while working in the fields, provided for her thirst, and connected her with his servant girls. He went far beyond what the law required in terms of providing for the poor and acknowledged Ruth's extraordinary kindness to Naomi. If the story ended there, it would a very noble platonic act of kindness that spoke well of Boaz' character. Here, he is definitely a good guy.
But here, (Ruth 2: 10-13) he is still far removed from Ruth, socially and polically. There are still numerous boundaries set up between them that would make it impossible for either of them to even consider dating or marriage. (I'm guessing dating wasn't that popular - probably more straight marriage talk.) Ruth even responds to his kindness by admitting she doesn't even have the status of one of his servant girls. This relationship is doomed before it ever starts. He is way out of her league. A proposal is preposterous at this point.
But, game changer, the story doesn't end there. For whatever reason, Boaz reaches out to Ruth again, this time not to protect her, this time he invites her to his table (v 14-15) This time, he removes the social and political barriers, the cultural norms that would normally keep them at a safe distance from each other. He removes and ignores those norms and invites her to eat at his table, with his harvesters. He is in essence saying, you are much more than a servant girl. I want to continue the conversation,to get to know you. I want to invite you into my world.
I wonder if Ruth was flustered. I'm sure she didn't have time to primp and dress up. And after all, she had been working in the field all day - hot and sweaty, probably feeling not so attractive. Of all times to be invited to dinner with this wealthy, influential, probably attractive man and his harvesters. Not that this was a fancy occasion - they had been in the fields all day too - but it was special, because invitations like this didn't come for girls like Ruth. Girls like Ruth weren't invited to dinner, weren't invited anywhere. I wonder if Ruth felt out of place, worried about what to talk about, or how much to eat. She was probably starving, but we all know you don't want people to see you eat too much. I wonder if she was excited, if she started thinking about telling Naomi about her experiences, about this nice guy and his kindness to her. Even if nothing else came from this evening, it would likely be a day she would never forget.
I could fill in some date stories here, but I kind of like keeping the focus on Ruth. Isn't it a beautiful romance in the making? Separated by so many differences, and yet, in one simple act, Boaz removes those barriers and invites her into his world. And I believe it is this act that sets the stage for Chapter 3. This act is far beyond an act of kindness to a stranger; this act turns a stranger and a foreigner into a friend. As any respectable man, he even give her flowers - okay bundles of barley - but he doesn't send her home empty-handed.
Maybe I am romanticizing this encounter a little much. There is nothing overtly romantic in this encounter, but I do think it was a game changer. Without Boaz reaching out to Ruth, inviting her into his world, they would be forever divided by the cultural norms of the day. They would have been in separate worlds divided by ethnicity and socio-economic status. She never would have been able to approach him to ask him to be a kinsman-redeemer. That conversation could never have taken place. This game changer so important for another reason as well. This game changer is a precursor to the biggest game changer of them all - Jesus Christ. We, who were separated from God by our status as sinners, can have a relationship with Him BECAUSE He tore down the barriers. He came into our world, died and rose again to make it possible for us to be reconciled to God, for us in our unrighteousness and unworthiness to approach God in His righteousness and His Holiness. In Him, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female," (Galatians 3:28). All those barriers are now gone. They no longer hold us back from God or from each other. And even better, He invites us to His table (Revelation 19:6-10) to dine with Him. He wants to fellowship with us and get to know us and continue the conversation.
Hmmm... I love that picture. I am so glad that He notices me, that He cares, and that He pursues a relationship with me - even when I've been working in the fields and not feeling very attractive or loveable.
~Erin
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