“I Want to Be Like Ruth” Study

#4 The Midnight Meeting – Ruth 3

Ever since Boaz came into Ruth’s life, Naomi has been a different person. Her concern is no longer for herself and her grief but for Ruth and her future. It’s when we serve others that we ourselves receive the greatest joy and satisfaction. The martyred German minister Dietrich Bonhoeffer called Jesus Christ “the man for others,” and the title is appropriate. “Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing” (Phil. 2:3-4, tlb).

When the two widows came to Bethlehem, their plan was that Ruth take care of Naomi and both of them eke out an existence the best they could. But now Naomi has a new plan: Ruth is to marry Boaz, and then all of them can live happily ever after. Naomi could tell from Ruth’s report that Boaz would be in favor of the plan, so she began to set things in motion. In that day, it was the parents who arranged marriages; so Naomi was not out of place in what she did.

Keep in mind that the Book of Ruth is much more than the record of the marriage of a rejected alien to a respected Jew. It’s also the picture of Christ’s relationship to those who trust Him and belong to Him. In the steps that Ruth takes, recorded in this chapter, we see the steps God’s people must take if they want to enter into a deeper relationship with the Lord. Like Ruth, we must not be satisfied merely with living on leftovers (2:2), or even receiving gifts (2:14, 16). We must want Him alone; for when we have Him, we also have all that He owns. It’s not the gifts that we seek, but the Giver.

(3:1—4:22) DIVISION OVERVIEW: the story of Ruth is one of the most captivating, touching love stories ever recorded for human history. It is a rags-to-riches love story, the story of a young foreign girl who was poverty-stricken, living in a strange land. But before she had reached the foreign soil of Israel, she had given her life to the Lord. And because of her commitment, the Lord had begun to work all things out for her good.

In this present division of study, the Lord begins to bless Ruth ever so richly, giving her a loving husband and raising her up from a hopeless, poverty-stricken life to a life of wealth and prestige. God even chooses her to become the great-grandmother of King David, the greatest king who ever ruled over Israel. This meant a most wonderful thing for Ruth: she was chosen to become an ancestress of God's very own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (4:17, 22; Matthew 1:5-16).

But this was not all: God was using her life as a dynamic example of redemption—to be recorded forever in Holy Scripture for all succeeding generations. The beautiful love story of Ruth is a picture of the wonderful love story of redemption. Redemption means to save, deliver, rescue, set free, liberate, release, ransom—all accomplished by paying a price. The very man whom Ruth was to marry was her "kinsman-redeemer." By being a close relative, Boaz was allowed by law to purchase or repurchase any property Ruth and her mother-in-law were forced to sell. Simply stated, Boaz was their redeemer: he was allowed to redeem both their lives and their property—all they were and had. Thus, when he married Ruth, he redeemed her and Naomi, saved and rescued them from a life of poverty and hopelessness. And in his redeeming love for Ruth, he left to the world a wonderful picture of the story of redemption. Boaz is a clear type of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world. As this Division of Ruth is studied, note how clearly the picture of redemption is painted.

Ruth prepared to meet Boaz (Ruth 3:1-5)

There were other men who would gladly have married Ruth (v. 10), but they could not have redeemed her. Only a kinsman could do that, and Boaz was that kinsman. Since Naomi knew that Boaz would be using the threshing floor that night and staying there to guard his grain, she instructed Ruth to prepare herself to meet him. Ruth made a fivefold preparation before she presented herself to Boaz.

First, she washed herself (v. 3a). Every day in the United States, 450 billion gallons of water are used for homes, factories, and farms, enough water to cover Manhattan to a depth of ninety-six feet. In the East, the heat and the dust made frequent washing a necessity; but water was not always plentiful. With regard to the Jews, the Law of Moses required ceremonial washings, and taking a bath and changing clothes usually preceded a special event (Gen. 35:1-3). Actually, Naomi was telling Ruth to act like a bride preparing for her wedding (Ezek. 16:9-12).

If the Old Testament priests came into God’s presence defiled, they were in danger of death (Ex. 30:17-21). The Jewish people were conscious of the need for holiness as they came to worship God (Pss. 15; 24:1-6); yet Christians today rush into God’s presence without cleansing themselves of the sins that rob them of God’s blessing. Is it any wonder that our worship is often an empty routine and that the power of God doesn’t come to our meetings?

The next thing Ruth did to prepare was to anoint herself (Ruth 3:3b). Eastern peoples used fragrant oils to protect and heal their bodies and to make themselves pleasant to others. A bride would especially take care to wear fragrant perfume that would make her “nice to be near” (see Song 1:3, 12-14; 4:11-16).

Anointing oil speaks of the presence and the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. All believers have received the anointing of the Spirit (1 John 2:20, 27), and therefore we ought to be “a fragrance of Christ” to the Heavenly Father (2 Cor. 2:15). The more we are like Jesus Christ in character and conduct, the more we please our Father; and the more we please Him, the more He can bless and use us for His glory.

Ruth’s third act of preparation was to change clothes (Ruth 3:3c). She was to put off the garments of a sorrowing widow and dress for a wedding (see Isa. 61:1-3). Ruth probably didn’t have a large wardrobe, but she would have one special garment for festive occasions. Naomi had the faith to believe that Ruth would soon be going to a wedding!

In Scripture, clothing carries a spiritual meaning. After they had sinned against God, our first parents tried to cover themselves; but only the Lord could forgive them and clothe them acceptably, and He had to shed blood to do it (Gen. 3:1-8, 21). The Jewish priests wore special garments that nobody else was permitted to wear (Ex. 28). Salvation is pictured as a change of clothes (Luke 15:22; Isa. 61:10), and Christian living means taking off the “graveclothes” of the old life and putting on the “grace clothes” of the new life (Col. 3:1-17; see John 11:44).

Ruth prepared herself to meet Boaz by learning how to present herself to him (Ruth 3:3-4). There was nothing improper about this procedure, for it was the only way Ruth could offer herself to her kinsman redeemer. She had to put herself at the feet of the lord of the harvest, and he would do the rest.

Suppose that on her way to the threshing floor, Ruth decided to take a different approach. Why lie at the feet of the man you want to marry? Why uncover his feet and then ask him to put a corner of his mantle over you? Certainly there ought to be a better way! Had she used another approach, Boaz would have been confused; and the entire enterprise would have failed.

The Old Testament priests knew how to approach God because He gave them their instructions in the law. New Testament Christians know how to approach God because in the Word He has told us what is required. Whether in our private communion with the Lord or in public worship, we have no right to alter the principles of approach that God has laid down.

Like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24), lost sinners can come to the Lord just as they are; and He will receive them and change them. But God’s own children must “conform to the rules” if they want to fellowship with their Father (Heb. 10:19-25). When the people of God assemble for worship, we must be careful to worship Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), following the principles given in the Scriptures. When it comes to worshiping God, too often people do that which is right in their own eyes and substitute human inventions for divine instructions.

Finally, Ruth promised to obey (Ruth 3:5). “All that you say to me I will do” (nkjv). She was not only a hearer of the Word, but she was a doer. A willingness to obey the Lord is the secret of knowing what He wants us to do and being blessed when we do it. “If anyone is willing to do God’s will, he shall know concerning the teaching” (John 7:17, literal translation). The will of God is not a cafeteria where we can pick and choose what we want. God expects us to accept all that He plans for us and to obey Him completely. Coming to God with a hidden agenda and with reservations in our hearts will only lead to grieving the Spirit and missing God’s best.

(3:1-18)  Marriage is one of the most sacred institutions on earth; therefore, whom a person marries is one of the most important decisions a person can make. Marriage is critical, in fact, because it involves the establishment of a home. Not a house, but a home. A house is just a location, a place, a structure in which people live. It is only a residence, a place of dwelling, and a headquarters. But a home is far more than a residence or headquarters. A home is a place of intimate relationships between family members. A home is a resting place, a place of love and peace, provision and fulfillment, security and stability, significance and purpose, faithfulness and loyalty. All the wonderful qualities of life flow from a home, not a house. For this reason, the decision regarding marriage—regarding whom to marry—is of critical importance.

Seeking a husband is the subject of the present passage of Scripture. Naomi encouraged Ruth to seek a husband, in particular to pursue Boaz. Keep in mind that Boaz was the kinsman-redeemer of both Naomi and Ruth. If Ruth could capture or win him, he would be able to redeem them, to rescue and save them from a life of poverty and hopelessness. By law as the kinsman-redeemer, Boaz would be able to redeem any property formerly mortgaged by Naomi's husband. Moreover, he would be able to give Naomi a grandson who would keep her family from dying out at her death.

Note this fact: Ruth's seeking to marry Boaz is a picture of a person's seeking a redeemer. The very steps taken by Ruth are the steps taken by a person who seeks to be redeemed, to be rescued and saved by Christ. This is: Ruth Seeks to Marry Boaz: a Picture of Seeking a Redeemer, 3:1-18.

1.  Naomi pointed out Ruth's need for a home, a resting place, a place of provision, security, and stability: a picture of the need for a redeemer (v.1).

2.  Naomi told Ruth how to secure a new home, how to approach Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer: a picture of the need to repent, to be cleansed in approaching Christ (v.2-4).

3.  Ruth agreed and carefully obeyed the instructions: a picture of carefully approaching Christ the Redeemer (v.5-7).

4.  Ruth asked Boaz to marry her: a picture of asking Christ for redemption, salvation (v.8-9).

5.  Ruth was received and given the great promise of marriage, of being redeemed: a picture of being received by Christ the Redeemer (v.10-15).

6.  Ruth shared the promises and provision of Boaz with Naomi: a picture of the believer bearing witness to the promises and provisions of Christ, the Redeemer (v.16-17).

7.  Ruth patiently waited while Boaz worked out her marriage, redemption: a picture of the believer patiently waiting for the glorious day of redemption (v.18).

(3:1) Rest, Spiritual— Redemption, Need for— Need, For Redemption— Home, Security of— Ruth, Needs of: Naomi pointed out Ruth's need for a home. The Hebrew word used here for rest or home (manowach or manoah) actually means a resting place, a place of settled security, a permanent home, a place of stability, a place of provision and protection.

Remember that Ruth was a childless widow whose husband died soon after their marriage. Living in a male-dominated society, there were few if any well-paying jobs for women. For that reason, she was poor, utterly poverty-stricken, having to scrounge around just to survive. But she was not only a childless, impoverished widow, she was also a foreigner living in a strange land. Since the death of her husband, her future had looked dark, bleak, even hopeless. Her life had been one of instability, a life of destitution and desperation.

Ruth needed a home, a place of full provision and protection, a place of permanent stability where she could feel secure.

(3:2-4) Cleansing, Need for— Repentance, Illustrated— Redemption, How to Secure, Illustrated— Marriage, Preparation for: Naomi told Ruth how to secure a home, how to approach Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer. As covered in chapter two, Boaz was the kinsman-redeemer of both Naomi and Ruth. And Boaz had shown strong interest in Ruth. For several weeks she had been scavenging for food in the fields of Boaz, and during those weeks, Boaz had gone out of his way to help her. He had instructed his workers to deliberately leave stalks of grain for Ruth to glean. Throughout the ensuing weeks, a friendship had obviously developed between them. This fact, plus the fact of his being the kinsman-redeemer, aroused hope within Naomi. No longer was there a spirit of distress and hopelessness gripping her heart. There was now the hope of being redeemed. As the kinsman-redeemer, Boaz might agree to marry Ruth. By law, he at least had the obligation to consider marrying her. It is true that Ruth could have married other young men in the city of Nazareth, but they could not have redeemed her (3:10). Only Boaz could offer her and Naomi the benefits of redemption. He could guarantee the survival of Naomi's family, property, and other benefits spelled out by the law of the kinsman-redeemer. For this reason, Naomi encouraged Ruth to pursue marriage with Boaz. And that very night was the perfect night to begin the pursuit. Boaz was spending the night at the threshing floor, winnowing the harvest. Most likely, he would be alone, secluded, a perfect time and place to ask Boaz for marriage, redemption.

1.  Naomi suggested that Ruth wash and perfume herself (3:3). She was not simply to rush into the presence of Boaz, unprepared and perhaps smelly and unclean. She was to be cleansed, offering a sweet, appealing fragrance to Boaz. So it is to be when we approach Christ. We must be cleansed from any dirt of sin that has contaminated us. And we must offer up to God the sweet, attractive fragrance of being cleansed and washed.

 2.  Ruth needed to change clothes, to put on the very best she had. Being poor, Ruth's clothing would not have been the clothing of the wealthy or middle class, but rather the clothing of the poor. No doubt, she was dressed very plainly, but it was the best she had as she approached and offered herself to Boaz.

This is a striking picture of a person's need to change his clothes of unrighteousness for a wardrobe of righteousness. Throughout Scripture, changing clothes is a symbol of putting on righteousness and salvation, of becoming acceptable to God, of putting off the old life and putting on the new.

 3.  Ruth needed to go where Boaz was, to quietly, secretly observe him, noting where he rested and slept (3:3-4). Naomi instructed Ruth not to approach Boaz until he had eaten dinner and lain down to sleep. Why? Probably for two reasons. First, it was far wiser to approach him during a softer moment, after a meal and some rest following a hard day of work. Second, Naomi felt it wise to approach Boaz through two symbolic proposals of marriage: that of uncovering his feet and lying there at his feet in a servant's position (3:4), and that of asking him to spread his garment over her (3:9).

One fact is sure: ignoring and neglecting Boaz was not the way to win his affection. If there was any hope of marrying him, Ruth would have to approach him, making herself available for him to become interested and to accept her.

So it is for any person who longs for redemption, for the rescue and deliverance of Jesus Christ. The person must approach Christ, go to the very foot of the cross where Christ hung for the redemption of mankind.

 4.  Ruth needed to uncover the feet of Boaz and lie at his feet (3:4). This was a symbol of service and of servanthood, a symbolic request for marriage. By this symbol, Ruth was declaring that she wanted to become a part of Boaz's life.

So it is with a person who seeks redemption, the rescue and deliverance of Christ. The person must offer himself totally to the Lord, to His life and service. The person must be willing to become a part of the life and cause of Christ, to subject himself or herself as a servant of the Lord.

(3:2) Threshing Floor— Harvest, Winnowing: a threshing floor was usually a raised platform built on a hill either out of hard clay or bedrock. The grain was threshed or separated from the stalk either by beating the sheaves with a rod or by using an ox to trample the sheaves by pulling a cartwheel around the floor (Isaiah 28:27). Once the grain and husk had been separated, they were thrown up into the breeze. The breeze would blow the lighter husk away while the heavier grain fell to the floor. The grain was then gathered up for storage or market. Someone usually spent the night at the threshing floor to protect the grain from thieves.

(3:5-7) Obedience, Example of— Approach, to Christ: Ruth agreed with Naomi and carefully obeyed her instructions. How difficult was this decision for Ruth? Scripture does not say, but the risks were great. Boaz's reaction could not be predicted. He could easily have reacted, exploded over Ruth's behavior. For Boaz was a highly esteemed and respected leader in Bethlehem (2:1). If they were found sleeping together at the threshing floor in the middle of the night, Boaz's reputation and position could easily have been ruined. And Ruth would have been tagged with the reputation of a loose, immoral woman.

As stated, the risks were great. Nevertheless, Ruth willingly and carefully obeyed the instructions of Naomi. She went to the threshing floor and observed Boaz, noting where he lay down to sleep (3:6-7). After he fell asleep, she tiptoed up to him, uncovered his feet, and lay down beside his feet (3:7). Again, by this act, she was symbolizing servanthood—a humble request for marriage, that she wanted to become a part of Boaz's life.

Ruth submitted to Boaz (Ruth 3:6-9)

The harvest season was an especially joyful time for the Jews (Isa. 9:3; 16:10), which is the way God wanted it. “The Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice” (Deut. 16:15, kjv). Most people today live separated from the sources of their daily bread and don’t realize all that’s involved in producing food. Perhaps our table prayers would be more joyful and more grateful if we realized all that a farmer goes through to help keep us alive.

Harvesting and threshing were cooperative enterprises. The men of a village would take turns using the threshing floor, which was usually a raised platform outside the village and often on a hill where it could catch the evening breeze. The men would deposit the sheaves on the floor and then separate the grain from the stalks by having oxen walk on it (Deut. 25:4) or by beating the stalks (see Ruth 2:17). Once the grain was separated, the workers would throw the grain into the air; and the breeze would carry the chaff away while the grain fell to the floor. The grain would then be heaped up to be carried away for marketing or storage. The men often worked in the evening when the breeze was up, and they slept at the threshing floor to protect the harvest.

Four times in this chapter there is mention of feet (3:4, 7-8, 14). Ruth had fallen at the feet of Boaz in response to his gracious words (2:10), but now she was coming to his feet to propose marriage. She was asking him to obey the law of the kinsman redeemer and take her as his wife.

We may ask, “Why didn’t Ruth wait for Boaz to propose to her?” His statement in 3:10 suggests the first reason: He fully expected that she would marry one of the younger bachelors in Bethlehem. Boaz was an older man, and Ruth was a young woman (4:12). Evidently he concluded that he was out of the running. But the most important reason is given in verse 12: There was a nearer kinsman in town who had first option on Ruth and the property, and Boaz was waiting for him to act. Ruth had forced the issue, and now Boaz could approach this kinsman and get him to decide.

“Life is full of rude awakenings!” a famous cartoon canine likes to say, and more than one biblical character would agree. Adam went to sleep and woke up to discover he’d been through surgery and was now a married man. Jacob woke up to discover he was married to the wrong woman! Boaz woke up at midnight to find a woman lying at his feet.

When he asked who she was, Ruth replied that she was Ruth; but she did not call herself “the Moabitess.” Now she was the “handmaid” of Boaz. She was making a new beginning. You find Ruth named twelve times in this little book, and in five of these references she is identified with Moab (1:22; 2:2, 21; 4:5, 10).

To spread one’s mantle over a person meant to claim that person for yourself (Ezek. 16:8; 1 Kings 19:19), particularly in marriage. The word translated “skirt” also means “wing.” Ruth had come under the wings of Jehovah God (Ruth 2:12); and now she would be under the wings of Boaz, her beloved husband. What a beautiful picture of marriage!

(3:8-9) Marriage, Proposal, Example of— Ruth, Proposal of Marriage— Boaz, Proposal of Marriage— Seeking, of Christ— Redemption, Seeking— Salvation, Seeking— Rescue, Seeking, Example of: the moment for proposing marriage to Boaz finally arrived. Laying there at the feet of Boaz on the threshing floor—as still as a corpse—Ruth's thoughts were nervously bouncing about, wondering just how he would react to her presence and proposal. Would he be shocked and embarrassed and simply request her to leave? Or would he be angry and violent, casting her out and having nothing more to do with her? Or would he interpret her presence as a desire for sex and force himself upon her? Or would he understand and accept her proposal and his responsibility to marry her as the kinsman-redeemer? A sense of uneasiness, nervousness, and anxiety was bound to be gripping Ruth, more and more as the minutes and perhaps hours rolled by. But finally, the anticipated moment arrived. In the middle of the night, something startled or awakened Boaz. And when he turned, he discovered a woman lying at his feet. In the dark, he could not identify her; therefore, he immediately asked for her identity. Nervously, anxiously, Ruth responded, identifying herself. And without any break in her response, she weakly asked Boaz to spread his garment over her. This act was a symbol of a marriage proposal. Ruth was asking Boaz to marry her. And note why: because he was a kinsman-redeemer (3:9).

Ruth listened to Boaz (Ruth 3:10-14)

In the responses of Boaz to Ruth, we see how the Lord responds to us when we seek to have a deeper fellowship with Him. Just as Boaz spoke to Ruth, so God speaks to us from His Word.

He accepts us (Ruth 3:8-10).

Boaz might have refused to have anything to do with Ruth; but in his love for her, he accepted her. He even called her “my daughter” (see 2:8) and pronounced a blessing on her (see Eph. 1:3). Our Heavenly Father and our Redeemer are seeking for a closer relationship with us, and we should not be afraid to draw near and share Their love (John 14:21-24; James 4:7-8). If we could only realize in even a small way the great love our Kinsman Redeemer has for us, we would forsake everything else and enjoy His fellowship.

He assures us (Ruth 3:11-13).

In the midnight darkness, Ruth couldn’t see the face of Boaz, but she could hear his voice; and that voice spoke loving assurance to her: “Fear not!” Our assurance is not in our feelings or our circumstances but in His Word.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.

 “Fear not” is the word of assurance that the Lord gave to many of His servants: to Abraham (Gen. 15:1), Isaac (26:24), Jacob (46:3), Moses and the nation of Israel (Ex. 14:13), Joshua (Josh. 8:1; 10:8), King Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 20:17), the Jewish remnant returning to their land (Isa. 41:10, 13-14; 43:1, 5; 44:2), the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezek. 3:9), the Prophet Daniel (Dan. 10:12, 19), Joseph (Matt. 1:20), Zacharias (Luke 1:13), Mary (1:30), the shepherds (2:10), Paul (Acts 27:24), and the Apostle John (Rev. 1:17). You and I can say with these spiritual giants, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear” (Heb. 13:6, nkjv).

Not only did Boaz calm Ruth’s fears, but he also made a promise to her concerning the future: “I will do for you all that you request” (Ruth 3:11, nkjv). Whatever God starts, He finishes; and what He does, He does well (Phil. 1:6; Mark 7:37). It was not Ruth’s obligation to do for herself what only Boaz could do.

What seemed to Naomi to be a simple procedure has now turned out to be a bit more complicated, because there was a man in Bethlehem who was a nearer kinsman. Boaz didn’t withhold this problem from Ruth, for he didn’t want her to return home with false hopes in her heart. Joy and peace that are based on ignorance of the true facts are but delusions that lead to disappointments. The great concern of Boaz was the redemption of Ruth, even if another kinsman redeemer had to do it.

(3:10-15) Marriage, Promise of, Example— Redemption, Promise of, Example— Marriage, Proposal, Example of Acceptance— Ruth, Proposal of Marriage: graciously, Boaz accepted Ruth and gave her the great promise of marriage, of being redeemed. What happened between Ruth and Boaz is a descriptive picture of what it means to be received by Christ and given the great promise of redemption. As painted by the Scripture, this moment shared between Ruth and Boaz was an exciting, exhilarating experience. The longing of Ruth's heart for a home, a resting place, a place of provision, love, peace, and security—all that is provided by a loving husband—was soon to be experienced. Note the Scripture and outline:

1.  Boaz praised Ruth's sacrificial kindness (3:10). What did Boaz mean by this? Note that he addressed her as "my daughter," indicating that she was much younger than he. Thus, he could be commending her for offering to marry a much older man when she could have a much younger husband. But Boaz could also be commending her for marrying out of a sense of duty to Naomi, marrying in order to save Naomi's family name and estate (4:1-6). Robert L. Hubbard points out that today people marry for different reasons:

Þ  for love

Þ  for lust

Þ  for money

Þ  for status

But Ruth did none of these. She was not running after a younger man nor was she seeking to marry a rich man. Instead, she was choosing to marry because of duty. She sensed deeply the need for redemption, for her and Naomi to be rescued and delivered from the hopelessness of their lives. She wanted to marry Boaz and bear a son so that Naomi could have a child to carry on the family name and receive all the other benefits of the kinsman-redeemer (see Deeper Study #1—Ruth 2:20 for more discussion).

2.  Boaz gave assurances to Ruth (3:11). He could have rejected Ruth and had nothing to do with her, but he obviously cared for her deeply. Perhaps he even loved her. Thus, he accepted her and calmed her fears, encouraging her not to be afraid. He would do all she asked. He gave her the promise of marriage, of redemption. She and Naomi would be redeemed, rescued and saved from their hopeless, miserable life.

But this was not all that Boaz said to Ruth. Standing there in the dark, most likely grasping her hands, Boaz praised Ruth for being a woman of virtue, of noble character (3:11). Note that she had the reputation of being a virtuous woman. She was faithful, trustworthy, hardworking, giving, and committed to the Lord (Proverbs 31:10-31). Boaz was telling Ruth that she possessed all the qualities that would make an ideal wife.

3.  Boaz vowed to see that Ruth was married (redeemed) despite a complicated barrier that faced them. No doubt, what Boaz said next utterly shocked Ruth and took her by total surprise. There was a closer kinsman than Boaz. This meant that someone else had the first right to marry Ruth, someone other than Boaz.

This was devastating news to Ruth, for she obviously had her heart set upon marrying Boaz, not someone else. Nevertheless, Boaz promised to marry and redeem Ruth if the other relative refused. And note, Boaz promised to approach the closer kinsman immediately, the very next morning, and present the proposition to him. If the closer relative wished to marry and redeem Ruth, then it would have to be accepted. But if he was not willing, then Boaz himself would redeem her. Obviously longing for the right to marry Ruth himself and wanting to give her full assurance, Boaz even took an oath. He swore that he would fulfill his promise. Just as the Lord Himself lives, Boaz would redeem Ruth, rescue her by marrying her and bringing her into his home.

4.  Having done all he could to give assurance to Ruth, Boaz instructed her to guard against the appearance of unrighteousness. They must guard against rumor and gossip. He suggested that she remain at the threshing floor until early morning, right before everyone would be arising from their night's sleep. If she were spotted leaving the threshing floor during the night where he had been sleeping, gossip would begin to swirl throughout the city and rumors would spread. The consequence would be catastrophic: their reputations would be ruined and his position as a leader would be threatened.

5.  Right before daybreak, before anyone could be recognized, Boaz sent Ruth on her way. But he first gave her an abundance of provision, filling her shawl with six measures or scoops of barley (3:15). Just how much barley this was is not known, but it was no doubt a generous amount. Once he had filled her shawl with grain, Boaz set the grain either on her head or across her shoulders and sent Ruth back into town. If an early riser happened to see her, the person would think she had been in the fields gathering grain throughout the night. No suspicion would be aroused, and no gossip would be rumored. Once she had left, Boaz himself returned to town to fulfill his promise made to Ruth.

Boaz gave Ruth the great promise of marriage, of being redeemed, of being rescued and saved from a life of hopelessness. Thus it is with Christ when a person approaches Him. Christ gives the promise of redeeming, rescuing, and saving a person from the hopelessness of this life. No matter how discouraged, depressed, guilt-ridden, distressed, grief-stricken, poor, helpless, diseased, handicapped, empty, or lonely—no matter how gripped we are by the hopelessness of this life—Christ will redeem us, rescue and save us.

Ruth received gifts from Boaz (Ruth 3:15-17)

During her days as a gleaner, Ruth had received generous treatment from Boaz. His workers had allowed her to follow the harvesters; they protected her from harm; they deliberately dropped sheaves for her to pick up. Boaz had shared the noon meal with Ruth, even handing her the parched grain with his own hands (2:14). On that first day of gleaning, Ruth had gone home with a little more than half a bushel of grain; but now Boaz filled her cloak with two bushels of grain, which would be more than two weeks’ supply.

Boaz not only calmed Ruth’s fears and gave her assurance for the future, but he also met her present needs in a gracious and generous way. She had not asked him for anything, but he gave the grain to her because he loved her. He was about to marry her, and he didn’t want his prospective bride gleaning in the fields like a poor laborer.

Naomi’s question in 3:16 has puzzled translators and interpreters. Why would her own mother-in-law ask her who she was? The Living Bible paraphrases the question, “Well, what happened, dear?” and both the niv and the nasb read, “How did it go, my daughter?” But the Authorized Version translates the Hebrew text as it stands: “Who are you, my daughter?” In other words, “Are you still Ruth the Moabitess, or are you the prospective Mrs. Boaz?”

Ruth remembered Boaz’s words, as she had done before (2:19-21); and she shared with Naomi all that Boaz had promised. Then Ruth showed Naomi the generous gift Boaz had given them. A man who sends a generous gift to his prospective mother-in-law is certainly a good choice for a husband!

Naomi could no longer say that her hands were empty (1:21). Now they were full because of the grace of the kinsman redeemer. Ruth’s faith and obedience had brought about a complete transformation in their lives, and now they were living by grace.

Ruth waited for Boaz to work (Ruth 3:18)

It is “through faith and patience” that we inherit the promises (Heb. 6:12; 10:36). Since Naomi and Ruth believed that Boaz would accomplish what he said he would do, they waited patiently until they received the good news that Ruth would be a bride. “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it” (Ps. 37:5).

I confess that waiting is one of the most difficult things for me to do, whether it’s waiting for a table at a restaurant or waiting for a delayed flight to take off. I’m an activist by nature, and I like to see things happen on time. Perhaps that’s why the Lord has often arranged for me to wait. During those times, three phrases from Scripture have encouraged me: “Sit still” (Ruth 3:18, kjv), “Stand still” (Ex. 14:13, kjv), and “Be still” (Ps. 46:10, kjv).

“Sit still” was Naomi’s counsel to Ruth, and wise counsel it was. Ruth would have accomplished nothing by following Boaz around Bethlehem, trying to help him keep his promises. “Their strength is to sit still” (Isa. 30:7, kjv). Our human nature gets nervous and wants to help God out; and when we try, we only make matters worse.

“Stand still” was the command of Moses to the people of Israel when the Egyptian army was pursuing them. There was no need to panic, for God had the situation well in hand. Then the Lord commanded the people to “go forward” (Ex. 14:15), and He led them safely through the sea. There is a time to stand and a time to march, and we must be alert to know which one God wants us to do.

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10, kjv) is a wonderful antidote for a restless spirit. The Hebrew word translated “be still” means “take your hands off, relax.” It’s so easy for us to get impatient with the Lord and start meddling in matters that we ought to leave alone. He is God, and His hands can accomplish the impossible. Our hands may get in the way and make matters worse.

Boaz was busy working for Ruth, and Naomi was confident that he wouldn’t rest until he had settled the matter. “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform [complete] it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6, kjv). It encourages my heart to know that Jesus Christ is working unceasingly for His people as He intercedes in heaven (Heb. 8:3-4), and that He is working in us, seeking to conform us to His perfect will (13:20-21; Phil. 2:12-13).

(3:16-17) Promises, Duty— Provision, Duty— Witnessing, Duty— Naomi, Needs Met: when Ruth returned to Naomi, she shared the promises and provisions of Boaz with her. Picture the scene: as Ruth opened the door where she and Naomi were staying, Naomi heard the noise of someone entering. Expectantly, excitedly, she immediately called out: "Is that you, my daughter? How did it go? What happened?" Flooded with joy and excitement, Ruth shared everything that Boaz had done and promised. And then she showed Naomi the six measures of grain, saying that she was not to go back to her mother-in-law empty-handed. Robert L. Hubbard, Jr. points out that these words are significant, that they refer back to Naomi's complaint in chapter one. Naomi had complained that she had left Bethlehem full, but the Lord had brought her back empty (reqam) (1:21).

Naomi was bearing testimony to an empty, bitter, tragic life. She was left empty when her husband and two sons died, being left without an heir. Moreover, her life was empty in that she was living a poverty-stricken life, lacking food and the basic necessities of life. Therefore, when Boaz charged Ruth not to return empty-handed (reqam) to Naomi, he was assuring Naomi that she would hereafter have enough food to eat. This gift of grain was the guarantee of his promise. Moreover, the grain was a symbol that the pain and emptiness of having no children would be relieved: she would receive a child through Ruth. The people of that day and time would recognize the grain as a symbol of seed or offspring.

(3:18) Patience, Need for— Still, Being, Need for— Waiting, Need for Redemption— Redemption, Day of, Waiting for— Return, of Christ, Waiting for— Faith, Need for: Ruth patiently waited while Boaz worked out her marriage, her redemption. Ruth was undoubtedly excited, nervous, restless, and moving all around the house, wondering what was going to happen. She was so uneasy that Naomi had to advise her to sit still, be patient and calmly wait until Boaz worked out the marriage and redemption. Naomi was convinced that Boaz would not rest until he had settled the matter. In fact, he would settle it that day, she exclaimed! What made Naomi so confident? The character of Boaz: he was a man who would keep his word. He was completely faithful and trustworthy. He would not fail. He would do exactly what he had promised.

TYPES, SYMBOLS, AND PICTURES (Ruth 3:1-18)