Ruth 3:10 - He said, “You are blessed by Yahweh, my daughter. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, because you didn’t follow young men, whether poor or rich.
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What does "Ruth 3:10" mean?
This verse from Ruth 3:10 is part of Boaz's response to Ruth's bold request that he, as a close relative, redeem her and marry her. Let's break down what it means:
"He said, 'You are blessed by Yahweh, my daughter.'" Boaz recognizes God's hand in Ruth's actions. He sees her as acting in accordance with God's will and expresses a blessing upon her. "My daughter" is a term of endearment and respect, given the age difference.
"You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning." This is the key to understanding the verse. Boaz is comparing Ruth's present actions to her earlier actions:
"At the beginning" refers to Ruth's initial act of loyalty in remaining with her mother-in-law Naomi after the death of their husbands. This was already a significant act of kindness, as Ruth could have returned to her own family and culture.
"In the latter end" refers to Ruth's current act of seeking redemption from Boaz. Boaz sees this as an even greater act of kindness than staying with Naomi. Why?
"because you didn't follow young men, whether poor or rich." This explains why Boaz considers Ruth's present kindness greater. Instead of seeking a young, attractive husband (which would have been a perfectly natural and understandable thing to do), Ruth sought to marry Boaz, who was older, in order to continue the line of her deceased husband and provide for Naomi.
In essence, Boaz is praising Ruth for her selfless and virtuous character. She is prioritizing family loyalty and the welfare of Naomi over her own potential happiness and security. Instead of chasing a potentially more exciting or advantageous future with a younger man, she is acting with integrity and compassion, adhering to the laws of Levirate marriage and demonstrating remarkable loyalty. This is seen as a testament to her noble character and piety.
Key takeaways:
Selflessness: Ruth's actions demonstrate remarkable selflessness in prioritizing Naomi's well-being and her late husband's lineage.
Virtue: Boaz recognizes and praises Ruth's virtuous character and adherence to cultural and religious norms.
Loyalty: The verse highlights Ruth's unwavering loyalty, first to Naomi and now to the memory of her husband.
Divine blessing: Boaz believes that God is blessing Ruth for her good deeds.
More than expected: Ruth did more than she had to in following her husband's mother and seeking to continue his family line.
This verse is a powerful testament to Ruth's character and sets the stage for the events that follow, leading to her marriage to Boaz and her eventual place in the lineage of Jesus Christ. It highlights the importance of kindness, loyalty, and faithfulness, and recognizes God's hand in blessing those who act in accordance with these virtues.
Ruth 3:10 - He said, “You are blessed by Yahweh, my daughter. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, because you didn’t follow young men, whether poor or rich.
What does "Ruth 3:10" mean?
This verse from Ruth 3:10 is part of Boaz's response to Ruth's bold request that he, as a close relative, redeem her and marry her. Let's break down what it means:
"He said, 'You are blessed by Yahweh, my daughter.'" Boaz recognizes God's hand in Ruth's actions. He sees her as acting in accordance with God's will and expresses a blessing upon her. "My daughter" is a term of endearment and respect, given the age difference.
"You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning." This is the key to understanding the verse. Boaz is comparing Ruth's present actions to her earlier actions:
"At the beginning" refers to Ruth's initial act of loyalty in remaining with her mother-in-law Naomi after the death of their husbands. This was already a significant act of kindness, as Ruth could have returned to her own family and culture.
"In the latter end" refers to Ruth's current act of seeking redemption from Boaz. Boaz sees this as an even greater act of kindness than staying with Naomi. Why?
"because you didn't follow young men, whether poor or rich." This explains why Boaz considers Ruth's present kindness greater. Instead of seeking a young, attractive husband (which would have been a perfectly natural and understandable thing to do), Ruth sought to marry Boaz, who was older, in order to continue the line of her deceased husband and provide for Naomi.
In essence, Boaz is praising Ruth for her selfless and virtuous character. She is prioritizing family loyalty and the welfare of Naomi over her own potential happiness and security. Instead of chasing a potentially more exciting or advantageous future with a younger man, she is acting with integrity and compassion, adhering to the laws of Levirate marriage and demonstrating remarkable loyalty. This is seen as a testament to her noble character and piety.
Key takeaways:
Selflessness: Ruth's actions demonstrate remarkable selflessness in prioritizing Naomi's well-being and her late husband's lineage.
Virtue: Boaz recognizes and praises Ruth's virtuous character and adherence to cultural and religious norms.
Loyalty: The verse highlights Ruth's unwavering loyalty, first to Naomi and now to the memory of her husband.
Divine blessing: Boaz believes that God is blessing Ruth for her good deeds.
More than expected: Ruth did more than she had to in following her husband's mother and seeking to continue his family line.
This verse is a powerful testament to Ruth's character and sets the stage for the events that follow, leading to her marriage to Boaz and her eventual place in the lineage of Jesus Christ. It highlights the importance of kindness, loyalty, and faithfulness, and recognizes God's hand in blessing those who act in accordance with these virtues.