Ruth 3:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is noteworthy that during the harvest season, while she was in the fields collecting the grain, she dedicated her gathering to her mother-in-law rather than pursuing the younger men. Instead, she sought the perfect spouse. For this, she received the commendation: You are a woman of noble character, and also: Your latest act of kindness is superior to your previous ones. The final acts of the Church, when united, surpass the earlier ones. We mention this briefly here, having explored it thoroughly in our writings on Faith.

Boaz praised her actions, affirming her virtue while allowing the law to facilitate their union. He acknowledged, "Blessed are You, O Lord God of Hosts, for You have bestowed upon her a grace greater than the first, for she has chosen not the company of youthful men, whether they be affluent or impoverished. Through your actions, you have demonstrated that you were not driven by lust; otherwise, you would have sought the company of men in their prime, motivated solely by desire rather than considering wealth or poverty. Instead, you have approached a man of maturity, one who could be your father." This signifies the essence of the term dshchi, which Boaz referred to when he addressed her.

If Ruth had not been inspired by the Spirit of God, her words and actions would have been different. What stands out most in her character? Is it her love for the people of Israel, her obedience, or her faith? She longed for children from the lineage of Israel and embraced her identity as one of them. Her humility is admirable, for she chose to lie at the feet of Boaz without fear of rejection, as a righteous man would turn away from an immoral woman. She had no concern that he would deceive her, nor that he would betray her after misleading her—an unfortunate fate for many. In following her mother-in-law's guidance, she trusted sincerely that God would oversee her situation, driven not by desire, but by the grace of piety.