The conversation Boaz and Ruth have during their encounter continues. We have already seen that the dialogue contains references to prophecies about Israel’s restoration, and this is also the case in the following verses.
Ruth 2
12 The LORD will repay your deeds, and your reward will be full from the LORD, God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.
His Wings
In the Tanakh, we find the image of God carrying Israel out of Egypt as on eagles’ wings and bringing them into the promised land (Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 32:11). Under His wings is protection (Psalm 17:8; 36:7), where one can take refuge (Psalm 61:4; 91:4).
When Jesus came in His first coming, Israel refused to be gathered under His wings (Matt. 23:37). The Jewish people were to be judged and expelled from the land (Matt. 23:38), but in the future, God will bring them into the land where they will dwell safely, and in the day of the LORD, Israel will find healing under His wings (Mal. 4:2).
Mercy Seat
It is noteworthy to note in this context that cherubim stood on the ark of the covenant, spreading their wings over the (propitiatory) shelter, usually translated as mercy seat. This cover of the ark of the covenant represents the throne of God, the place where He dwells (Ps. 80:1; Isa. 37:16). This is also the place where the Son now sits, at God’s right hand.
Just as the high priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year to provide cover for the sins of the people, so Christ entered heaven once and for all to cover the sins of the people. When He comes out of the true sanctuary, heaven (Heb. 9:24), He will act as Israel’s Redeemer, and the Jewish people will meet their Messiah.