Chapter 3:11
"Protection"
J. Deering, AncientPath.net

MASTER STUDY
Introduction, Visualized Text with Commentary and Q&A, Charts

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS:

Another amazing revelation about Boaz is here in this verse. Boaz considers Ruth's character – in the public's eye, as more important than his own. He feels, whether he is able to be her husband or not, the city people will not see Ruth's move as other than from a woman of excellent character. What Ruth fears, and Boaz comforts her, is that the city people will think that Boaz is an old fool falling for this young "floozy." It is Boaz that tells her that her own character will prevent anyone from even thinking it.

Reading between the lines we can see that there is much that is not in the story about Ruth. Up until this point, aside from Ruth's deep commitment to Naomi, we have not heard from Ruth. The story has not given us much of a glimpse into her life and motivations. It has all been about Naomi – until now. Ruth has been such a blessing to Naomi, Boaz, and now we find out, the whole city. This Moabite, this gentile who has come to God is known amongst the Jews as a Godly woman of excellence.

THE VISUALIZED TEXT (NASB)  (conjunctions & prepositions (and other important words) underlined, words not in original text in italics)  (alternate text in purple)

(3:11)
"And now,

          my daughter,

                    do not fear.

(for)

          I will do for you whatever you ask,

                   for all my people in the city know that

                   you are a woman of excellence.

Questions and Answers about Ruth 3:11

1. What does "And now" mean?
   (A special introduction and change of scene)

2. Here Boaz calls her "my daughter" again but says "do not fear." What does he mean?
   (There could be 2 meanings here. The first would be the normal fear of city folk finding out that Ruth has visited Boaz in the field at night. Boaz could be telling her not to worry because everyone knows that she is an excellent and Godly woman. Then it could also be that Boaz is telling her gently that there is good news and bad news in her proposal – but we'll take that up in the next verse.)

3. Why is she not to worry?
   (First, he promises her that he will do (for her) whatever she will ask of him (remembering that Naomi told Ruth that Boaz would tell her what to do), and Boaz's reason for doing whatever she requests is based upon the city people knowing her character, i.e., she would never request Boaz to do anything of a questionable nature.)

 Horizontal Chart for Ruth 3:11

Ruth 3:11

The Protection

"And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence."

Verse Percentage Chart for Ruth 3:11

The Book of Ruth, Bible Study, J. Deering, AncientPath.net, study materials are a ministry of AncientPath.net, and may be copied for use in Bible study groups, in limited numbers, providing that no charge is made for them.  No further distribution or use of these materials is allowable under U.S. or International Copyright Law without the express permission of AncientPath.net. ©2008 AncientPath.net, All rights reserved.

2012-11-20