Putting your prayer into Practice

Boaz is one example of a Biblical character who unknowingly answered his own petition. After Ruth and Naomi returned to Bethlehem from Moab, they were in a desperate situation being poor widows. Ruth proved her devotion and love for Naomi by taking on the responsibility of gleaning in Israelite fields for grain. The author of Ruth applies a tongue-in-cheek commentary on Ruth’s territorial selection: “It just so happened that she came to the field of Boaz” (2.3), who is a relative of Elimelech (2.1). Boaz asked one of his foremen about Ruth (2.5). The foreman knows her background; she is from Moab. He knows her situation; she has returned with Naomi (2.6). He knows what she wants; she has asked to glean. He knows her dedication; she has only rested for a short while (2.7).

Boaz not only grants Ruth permission, he demands that she only glean in his fields. Ruth is overwhelmed by Boaz’s generosity and asks, why are you paying attention to me, a foreigner? He acknowledges what she has done for Naomi and offers a blessing in the form of a petition (Hebrew jussive) to the Lord: “May Adonai reward you for what you've done; may you be rewarded in full by Adonai, the God of Israel, under whose wings (kanaph) you have come for refuge." Boaz portrays the Lord as a mother hen caring and securing her young.

Naomi devises a plan by which Ruth will persuade Boaz to take on the role of kinsman redeemer and marry her. Ruth is to go to the threshing floor as Boaz is sleeping and uncover his feet. Ruth is to lay by them waiting for Boaz’s reaction. Boaz woke up and asked, “Who are you?”

Ruth insists that Boaz “Spread your cover (kanaph) over your handmaid (which also symbolized taking a wife), because you are a redeeming kinsman." This is the very same word from 2.12 where Boaz says, May Adonai reward you…under whose wings (kanaph) you have come for refuge." Ruth asks Boaz to answer his own prayer and be a wing of refuge. Boaz accepts and the rest of narrative reveals that Boaz became Ruth and Naomi’s kinsman redeemer. Boaz was a man of means. It just so happened that Ruth chose his fields to glean in. Boaz prays that Ruth will find refuge under the wings of God, but little did he know that he was the one who would spread open those wings of refuge for Ruth. Boaz is the very one who will provide care and security by marrying Ruth. Lesson: When you pray, don’t be surprised if God uses you to answer your own prayer!