Ruth 1: 16-17
And Ruth said, "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
"Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."
This is Ruth's statement of commitment to her mother-in-law, which is used in many marriage ceremonies. Ruth is irrevocably leaving her family, her people, and her religion; everything she knew in Moab.
She had recognized the higher quality of life under Yahweh, the God of Israel, over Chemosh, the cold, cruel god of Moab. She is ready to give up all she knew for a whole new environment, a whole new attitude of life. This is immense!
2: 12
"May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under Whose wings you have come to seek refuge."
This is the first mention in Scripture of God's "wings" (also in Psalms and in Matthew 23:37). God's protection extends over us as a mother bird extends her wings over her brood to protect them.
Boaz has recognized that this foreign woman has more faith in God than many of the local girls, and he admires her for that. This is the start of a great romance!
God also protects me. I need to notice and avail myself of this "umbrella" of protection whenever I'm tempted to give in to some circumstance in life.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
