Ruth 3

Ruth 3:1

IV. RUTH’S REDEEMING RELATIVE (Chap. 3)3:1-5 Naomi was anxious that Ruth should find securitythat is, a husband and a home. She therefore relinquished her own prior claim to marriage and property, and instead advised Ruth to go down to the threshing floor one night when Boaz was winnowing barley. Ruth, being a stranger to Israelite customs, had to be told in detail how she was to make the customary appeal to her kinsman for protection and levirate marriage (Daily Notes of the Scripture Union). 3:6, 7 So after Boaz had finished his work, eaten his meal, and retired, Ruth lay . . . at his feet under a corner of his blanket. This may seem very irregular to us in our culture, but actually it was the accepted practice in that day (see Eze_16:8), and there was nothing evil or suggestive about it. 3:8-11 Awakened at midnight, Boaz found Ruth at his feet. Far from rebuking her, he blessed her after she had asked him to act as her redeeming relative. The word wings in Rth_2:12 is the plural of the same word here translated “wing.” Boaz had commended Ruth for seeking refuge in Jehovah; how could he refuse her the refuge she sought from him according to Jehovah’s laws? Besides, she was a virtuous woman, one of those whose worth is far above jewels (Pro_31:10). He commended her for her loyalty, saying that her latter kindness (her personal devotion to him) was better than her first (her leaving home and family to be with Naomi). The Law of Moses required that when a man died childless, a close relative should marry the widow (Deu_25:5-10), thus perpetuating the family name and keeping the land in the family. It was especially important that when a man died without a son, someone should marry his widow so that a son would be born and the name carried on. Now Ruth, of course, had been left childless. Since Boaz was a relative of Elimelech, he was eligible to serve as redeeming relative by marrying her. And not only was he eligible; he was willing. 3:12, 13 But there was a legal complication: There was a relative closer than he, and this man had prior claim. If this closer relative did not wish to serve as redeeming relative, then Boaz would. The matter would be settled in the morning. 3:14-18 Ruth stayed at his feet till just before dawn. Boaz filled her shawl with six ephahs of barley. This assured Ruth of his deep love and gave evidence to Naomi that he would follow through on the matter without delay. Ruth was a noble woman, intrinsically worthy of Boaz’s kindnesses. But we were unworthy sinners. Yet the Lord spread His covering over us and took us as we were. He has loaded us with gifts and encouraged us with His promised return to consummate the marriage. Our salvation is settled, a finished work. But entrance into the full bliss of our union awaits the Bridegroom’s return. When Naomi heard all that had taken place, she told Ruth to sit still and wait for the outcome of this complex sequence of events. This is often the most difficult part of faithwhen no more action can be taken and nothing remains but to wait patiently for God to work out His will. It is at this moment that doubts arise and anxiety creeps in (Daily Notes of the Scripture Union).