Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
Ruth's response demonstrates profound humility: 'Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground'—full prostration showing deepest respect and gratitude. Her question—'Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?'—uses the key term chen (grace/favor). She recognizes Boaz's kindness as unmerited favor, not earned rights. The Hebrew nokriyah (stranger/foreigner) emphasizes her outsider status, lacking rights or claims. Ruth marvels that Boaz would 'take knowledge of' (lehakkireni)—acknowledge, recognize, or pay attention to—someone with no social standing. Her amazement at grace received foreshadows the gospel: Gentiles marveling that God would adopt them into His family despite having 'no claim' on His favor. Grace by definition is undeserved; Ruth grasps this theological reality.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern social hierarchies rigidly separated classes and ethnic groups. Foreigners, particularly Moabites (historically Israel's enemies), typically received suspicion and contempt rather than kindness. Ruth's prostration reflected standard protocol when social inferiors addressed superiors, particularly wealthy landowners. Her question about 'finding grace' uses covenant language found throughout Scripture when the vulnerable appeal to the powerful for undeserved mercy. The concept of 'taking knowledge of' someone implied elevating them to attention and concern—the opposite of ignoring or dismissing them as beneath notice. Ruth correctly identified Boaz's treatment as exceptional, not standard protocol. Her humility here contrasts with modern entitlement mentality that demands rights rather than receives grace with gratitude.
Questions for Reflection
How does Ruth's amazed gratitude for grace challenge contemporary attitudes of entitlement to God's blessings?
What does her humble recognition of being a 'stranger' teach about approaching God without claims on His favor?
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Analysis & Commentary
Ruth's response demonstrates profound humility: 'Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground'—full prostration showing deepest respect and gratitude. Her question—'Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?'—uses the key term chen (grace/favor). She recognizes Boaz's kindness as unmerited favor, not earned rights. The Hebrew nokriyah (stranger/foreigner) emphasizes her outsider status, lacking rights or claims. Ruth marvels that Boaz would 'take knowledge of' (lehakkireni)—acknowledge, recognize, or pay attention to—someone with no social standing. Her amazement at grace received foreshadows the gospel: Gentiles marveling that God would adopt them into His family despite having 'no claim' on His favor. Grace by definition is undeserved; Ruth grasps this theological reality.