This excerpt is from RUTH: Rediscovering the Kindness of God! Â Order your copy today!
A unique feature in the book of Ruth is that it contains the highest ratio of dialogue to narrative in the entire Bible; roughly two thirds of the verses involve dialogue. While Naomi and Boaz each speak more than Ruth, the ESV Study Bible remarks that, “Ruth’s words in the book . . . are surprisingly few; the story, however, hangs on them”.
Why Ruth Approached Boaz at the Threshing Floor
This observation is certainly true in the critical scene at the threshing floor where one might be inclined to focus on Boaz’s willingness to step in as a redeemer. While we should commend him for his kindness in agreeing to take that role should the other redeemer decline, an examination of the structure of the text reveals that focus is not on Boaz.
His role, at least at the beginning of the scene, is somewhat passive in comparison to that of Ruth. It is Ruth who takes risks. It is Ruth who is willing to make sacrifices. And it is Ruth who offers to serve as a surrogate to provide Naomi a son. Most notably, the text does not center on praising Boaz as a redeemer, but rather praises Ruth for her hesed kindness: her kindness to Boaz for choosing him over younger men, and her earlier kindness to Naomi in committing to live and care for her. It is Ruth’s hesed (and I’d add, courage!) that prompts Boaz to act.
How Ruth’s Hesed Prompted Boaz to Act
But perhaps the writer wants us to consider how both of these concepts work together: Boaz’s willingness to step in as a redeemer in response to Ruth’s hesed kindness. Ruth is in desperate circumstances, she boldly takes the initiative by touching Boaz’s garment (a shocking move in that culture), yet as a result, she is blessed for her courage, her faith–and also her kindness.
For an in-depth study on Ruth, download your copy of my Bible study, RUTH: Rediscovering the Kindness of God, available now!
Shadia is a passionate Bible teacher, multi-award-winning author, and speaker who has a heart for seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. She holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies from Western Seminary and is the author of several books and Bible studies, including HAGAR, TAMAR, LEGION, RAHAB, Worthy of Love and her newest study RUTH: Rediscovering the Kindness of God
I believe you can experience deep and refreshing engagement with God’s Word, even if you’ve read it many times before. 
