Ruth 3:8 – 9 “In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet. “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.”
Have you ever seen a mother hen with her chicks? It is a touching sight, really. She spreads her wings to provide protection for them at night. She also uses her wings to provide warmth and shelter for them during the day. To those baby birds, their mother is a source of protection, shelter and comfort. As long as they are under her wings, they are safe.
In the ancient Hebrew language, the corners of a garment were called the wings. So Ruth literally said to Boaz, “Spread your wings over me, for you are my hero, my rescuer.” She was humbly asking him to take care of her. Like the baby birds, she needed him to provide protection, shelter and comfort.
But what would happen to one of those chicks if it decided it didn’t need to stay under its mother’s wings? What if one of those chicks said, “No way, Mom! It’s hot and stuffy under there. I feel crowded. I’d rather be out on my own!” Yep. We all know the likely ending to that story. The chick would either be ravaged by some wild animal, or freeze to death, or, if he came to his senses, he would run back home to Mama as quick as he could!
Friends, there is One who wants to protect us. He wants to be our source of comfort, and He wants to shelter us from the storms of this life. If we stay close to Him, the storms will still come. But He will spread His wings, and keep us safe. He will comfort us, and keep us warm in His powerful love.
And yes, He will heroically protect us, and rescue us from the predator, from the evil one who wants to destroy us. He loves us, and He wants us to stay close to Him. For it is only in the shadow of His wings that we will experience the solace, the shelter and the sanctuary that He longs to give us.
Psalm 91:4 “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
Dear Father, Please cover me with Your wings, for You are my Rescuer. Help me to stay close to You.
Amen
this is so reassuring, renae! how comforting to think of God spreading His wings over us.
Thanks, Eileen! 🙂
Thank you for this beautiful description of God’s love and protection.
It especially touches me as it confirms a prophetic dream I had about my beloved daughter, Rebecca, who married yesterday in Iceland.
The dream came to me in the wee hours of the new year.
In it, God revealed that Rebecca would seek the protective wings of her saviour and lover.
We are so blessed to be sheltered by Him from harm’s way.
Love,
Jlo