Ruth 2:10

_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?_ No JFB commentary on these verses....

4-16 The pious and kind language between Boaz and his reapers shows that there were godly persons in Israel. Such language as this is seldom heard in our field; too often, on the contrary, what is immoral and corrupt. A stranger would form a very different opinion of our land, from that which Ruth would form of Israel from the converse and conduct of Boaz and his reapers. But true religion will teach a man to behave aright in all states and conditions; it will form kind masters and faithful servants, and cause harmony in families. True religion will cause mutual love and kindness among persons of different ranks. It had these effects on Boaz and his men. When he came to them he prayed for them. They did not, as soon as he was out of hearing curse him, as some ill-natured servants that hate their master's eye, but they returned his courtesy. Things are likely to go on well where there is...

Verse Ruth 2:10. _THEN SHE FELL ON HER FACE_] Prostrated herself, as was the custom in the East when inferiors approached those of superior rank. The _Targum_ adds to the conversation between Ruth and Boaz: "How, says she, have I obtained grace in thy sight, that thou shouldest acknowledge me who am a stranger and one of the daughters of Moab, of whom it is said, The unclean shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord? And Boaz, answered, It has been certainly told me by the word of the wise, that what the Lord hath decreed, he hath not decreed concerning the _women_ but the _men_. And it hath been surely said to me by prophecy, that kings and prophets shall proceed from thee because of the good which thou hast done," c....

SHE FELL ON HER FACE - With Oriental reverence (compare Genesis 33:3, and the marginal reference)....

EXPOSITION RUTH 2:10 RUTH did not seize the opportunity for bewailing the hardship of the lot to which she had been reduced, and which now constrained her to undertake a species of work which at one time she little anticipated. With beautiful humility and modesty, and in the profoundest gratitude, she accepted wonderingly the kindness of Boaz. AND SHE FELL ON HER FACE. A rather remarkable expression, physiologically viewed. Her face was part of herself. How then could she fall on it? It was part of that which fell, and yet she is said to fall _upon _(עַל) it, as if it had been underneath the self-hood that fell. It was what was undermost as she bowed herself, so that the pressure of the sum-total of the body fell on it as she gracefully stooped. AND PROSTRATED HERSELF TO THE GROUND. Thus completing, and

THEN SHE FELL ON HER FACE, AND BOWED HERSELF TO THE GROUND,.... In great humility, and under a deep sense of the favour done her, and as showing the greatest respect, in a civil manner, she was capable of: AND SAID UNTO HIM, WHY HAVE I FOUND GRACE IN THINE EYES: how is it that one so mean and unworthy should have such favour shown? THAT THOU SHOULDEST TAKE KNOWLEDGE OF ME; take such notice of her, show such affection to her, and bestow such kindness on her: SEEING I AM A STRANGER? not a citizen of Bethlehem, nor indeed one of the commonwealth of Israel; but, as the Targum, "of a strange people, of the daughters of Moab, and of a people who were not fit and worthy to enter into the congregation of the Lord.''...

CHAPTER 2 GLEANING IN THE FIELD _ 1. Ruth gleaning in the field of Boaz (Ruth 2:1)_ 2. Grace shown to Ruth by Boaz (Ruth 2:4) 3. Ruth hears concerning Boaz (Ruth 2:18) Boaz comes now upon the scene. His name means “in Him is strength.” He is called “a mighty man of wealth.” As the kinsman-redeemer he is a beautiful type of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one in whom there is strength, the rich one. Ruth knows at first little of him and the coming relationship with the wealthy one. Boaz is related to Elimelech, whose name “my God is king” is typical of Israel's faith. Through Elimelech only Naomi (the nation Israel) has a claim on Boaz. And she can only lay claim through Ruth. Even so Israel has a claim on the ble

THE MEETING OF BOAZ AND RUTH. Naomi's kinsman quite a different word from the near kinsman (goë l) of Ruth 2:20 is introduced in Heb. words which sometimes denoted a wealthy man, and sometimes a valiant man, so that a peaceful farmer like Boaz is characterised in the same terms as warriors like Gideon and Jephthah (Judges 6:12; Judges 11:1). The name Boaz may mean in Him is strength. Ruth 2:2. It was a custom, and it became a law, in Israel that the poor, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow should be permitted to glean in the harvest fields (Deuteronomy 24:19

TAKE KNOWLEDGE. Figure of speech _Metonymy_ (of Cause), put for "caring for". App-6. STRANGER. foreigner....

_take knowledge of me_ with kindly purpose, Ruth 2:19; Psalms 142:4. A stranger had no right or claims on protection in a foreign land. The Hebr. has a subtle play on the two words _take knowledge of me_and _stranger_; the roots are distinct, but they sound alike....