Nothing in our text describes Ruth’s physical appearance, but draws our attention to her inner character and godly virtues (1 Pet 3:1-6). Boaz’s promise to shepherd Ruth, a young, widowed, impoverished foreigner and previous idolator, was an extension of his love for her by grace. With nothing else to give, she offered her humble, thankful, worship in submission.

I. An Unashamed Goel (Ruth 2:11). Ruth’s godliness toward Naomi was the talk of Bethlehem. Her faith and hope were in God, having turned from idolatry to serve the living God (1 Thess 1:9), and like Abraham, she abandoned her family, country, and gods (Gen 12:1-3; Josh 24:2). Ruth’s present and future were anchored in Israel’s God, yet Boaz knew the potential for evil gossip.
As her kinsman (goel), Boaz wasn’t ashamed to talk to Ruth or be seen with her (Mt 10:32; Rom 1:16). What we value, we protect. Boaz would do everything necessary to protect Ruth.

II. A Protective Hen (Ruth 2:12). Adam was created in the image and likeness, the moral character of God (Gen 1:26-27). This sets humanity apart from every other creature God has made.
The triune Godhead – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – were spirit beings (John 4:24) until Jesus took upon Himself human flesh in the incarnation so we could better understand the heart and pleasure of the Father.
Boaz prayed that the Lord Jehovah, repay Ruth for her devotion to Naomi and the Lord Himself. He referenced her being under the wings of the Lord, her refuge.
God doesn’t have wings. This is a figure of speech, an illustration of a truth called an anthropomorphism. That’s a big word that simply means giving God human qualities or characteristics so people like you and me can understand Him better. The Bible, for example, says that God is a rock (Ps 18:2), has feathers (Ps 91:4), arms and hands (Is 52:6-7), eyes (Prov 15:3), fingers (Ps 8:3), rides upon angels and has a chariot (2 Sam 22:11; Ps 104:3), and breathes fire from His nose (Ps 18:8). These are all illustrations or pictures to help us understand His character and acts.
The word wings describes the edge of something (1 Sam 15:27) and the feathered appendages of birds. In most Biblical uses, the word wing is an illustration of God’s care and protection (Deut 32:11-12; Ps 17:9; 36:7; 57:1; 63:7; 91:1; Mal 4:2; Mt 23:37).

III. A Sure Rewarder (Ruth 2:12). Boaz prayed that the God of covenant would repay (to make complete again) and reward (to pay wages) to Ruth for all she’d done for Naomi. Ruth’s kindness was an expression of God’s grace toward her (Ruth 1:16-17). Boaz prayed that God would reward Ruth, and God would use Boaz in answer to his own prayer!
The Bible warns that God judges our thoughts (Mt 5:27-28; Heb 4:11), words (Mt 12:36-37), intentions (Gen 6:5; 1 Cor 4:5), and motives (Prov 16:2; 1 Cor 3:10), not just our actions (Rev 20:12). This is one reason sin can be so tricky. We assume sin is just our deeds, but Jesus said sin begins in our hearts, in our innermost being, so we must recognize that all of our faculties are depraved by sin (Mt 15:18-20). Our motives will affect how God rewards us now and in eternity (Gen 15:1; Mt 6:1; 2 Tim 4:8; Heb 11:6).
The greatest reward of God’s amazing grace is ultimately God Himself (Gen 15:1; Num 18:20; Jn 14:3; 1 Cor 3:9-15; 2 Cor 5:9-10; 1 Thess 4:17-18; Heb 11:6; Rev 22:12)!