Ruth 3

Chap. III. Ver. 1—18. Naomi directs Ruth how to attract the attention of Boaz, with a view to marriage.—This narrative has provoked the censures of the enemies of revelation, as disclosing a scheme to entrap Boaz, and at the same time exposing the virtue of Ruth to great danger. No doubt but the manners and customs of the East, as respects the conduct of the sexes to each other, are very different from ours; exchange among them appear to us disgusting, while they revolt at other things in our manners as no less offensive to them. We here see Boaz, though master of the estate, after winnowing his corn, goes to lie down by the heap which he had winnowed. But it must be remembered, that in eastern countries they know nothing of the luxury of a feather bed; neither do they undress, as we do; but merely inwrap themselves in their loose garments, and lay themselves down on a pallet or mattress, or sometimes the bare ground—and so sleep.

Boaz did so, as Naomi had anticipated; but Ruth, as directed, gently raises the bottom of his robe from off his feet, and to engage it over herself, as claiming his protection. Waking in the night, and finding a woman at his feet, he feels alarmed, and inquires her name, to which she omits not to add that he was a near kinsman, and begs him to spread again his skirt, or rather wing, (as the Hebrew expression is,) over her, as his duty was; for neither she nor her mother seem to have been aware that there was a kinsman nearer. In estimating the propriety of conduct, the characters of the parties must here also be taken into consideration. Boaz was an aged, rich, and powerful man; a prince, or as the Rabbins suppose, a judge in Israel.

Ruth was a widow, young in comparison with Boaz, and bore the character of a virtuous woman with all that knew her. Boaz also commends her for not following “young men, whether rich or poor;” which seems to intimate that her character and personal charms had engaged a young husband, but that she preferred building up the house of her former spouse by means of the next of kin, according to the Mosaic law. Boaz was not only rich, but generous; and therefore would not suffer Ruth to return to her mother without a present, and a substantial one; and therefore, probably, loaded her with as much corn as she could well carry, which fully satisfied her mother that their kinsman was in earnest, and would not rest till he had honourably fulfilled his promise.

On this part of his conduct, Bishop Hall remarks with his usual point, ‘Instead of touching her as a wanton, he blesses her as a father, encourages her as a friend, promises her as a kinsman, rewards her as a patron, and sends her away laden with hopes and gifts; no less chaste, but more happy than she came. Admirable temperance, worthy the progenitor of him, in whose lips and heart was no guile.”