Ruth 3

Ruth 3:1-5

Here is, 1. The directions Naomi gave Ruth how to claim Boaz for her husband, ver. 1—5. 2. Ruth’s punctual observance of their directions, ver. 6, 7. 3. The kind and honourable treatment Boaz gave her, ver. 8—15. 4. Her return is her mother-in-law, ver. 16—18.

a 1 Cor. vii. ch. 8 Ibid. 1st. 3, 4. a Conf. 1, 2. 3 On, left he the churchs this are upon his foot. a Eph. ii, 1.

1. THEN Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her, My daughter, ‘shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? 2. And now ‘is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose murders thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing-floor. 3. Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy earnest upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. 4. And it shall be when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and it uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. 5. And she said unto her, ‘All that thou sayest unto me, I will do.

We have here,

1. Naomi’s solicitude to get her daughter comfortably settled, and at rest in the house of her husband, that she might no longer be exposed to the difficulties they now struggled under. She informs Ruth, that Boaz’s kindred to her, she apprehended, laid him under an obligation to take his brother’s widow, and raise up seed unto his brother. Note, (1.) It seems to be said that the younger widows marry, I Sam. v. 14. (2.) Parents should seek the settlement of their children in marriage, as one great part of their duty respecting them. (3.) The rest of the marriage-flare consists in union of affection. To have a wandering heart there, is not only to be criminal, but to be wretched.

2. The method Naomi pursued to accomplish her designs. Understanding Boaz had a feast on winnowing his barley, she thought this a proper time to remind him of his duty, as Ruth’s kindness; for which purpose, she bids her wish and anoint herself, put on her best garments, and go down in the evening to the foot where they winnowed. There she was to wait till the company was parted, to observe where Boaz went to lie down at night, and then at his feet to lay herself, which would give her an opportunity to remind Boaz of his relations, as the law forms to intimate it was her business to do, and his answer would determine her conduct. This proceeding some commentators blamed, as unjustifiable; whilst others vindicate, as right. It is true, the experiment to us looms dangerous; but as the customs of nations differ, as her intentions were honourable, and her claim just, it might no doubt be very capable of vindication: not to add, that there might be much of divine

direction in the case; and this seems intimated in Naomi’s confidence, that he would tell her what she should do. Note, (1.) As water is much water had than paint, so is it a much greater recommendation to the person. (2.) Dress is then becoming, when used to engage their affections whom it is our duty to please. (3.) There may be occasion given for the most unjust aspersion sometimes, where there is the greatest purity of intention. (4.) The soul that lies down at the feet of Jesus, will find directions for his comfort and conduct.

6. ¶ And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law had her. 7. And when Boaz had ’eaten and drunk, and his heart was +merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and the came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. 8. ¶ And it came to pain at midnight, that ’the man was afraid, and turned himself: and behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9. ¶ And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth home handmaid: ‘spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid, for thou art a near kindness. 10. And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast thewed more kindness in the latter end, than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedest not young men, whether poor or rich. 11. And now, my daughter, fear not, I will do to thee all that thou required: for all the city of my people doth know, that thou art a virtuous woman. 12. And now it is true, that I am thy near kindness: howbeit there is a kindness nearer than I. 13. Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kindness, we will let him do the kindness part; but if he will not do the part of a kindness to thee, then ‘will I do the part of a kindness to thee, as the LORD liveth: be down until the morning.

Ruth 3:6-13

Little did Boaz think among his youth he should find one, that, though unlooked for, would prove to welcome.

1. He went down to the floor, to have an eye upon his servants; when the work was done, he entertained them cheerfully, and after supper lay down with a merry heart, or a good heart, as it may be rendered, thankful for his mercies, and commending himself to the protection of a gracious God. Nor was it thought mean or unusual in these days of simplicity, for great men thus to be among their winnowers, or to sleep in their threshing-floor, which, though in the open air, was in these hot countries more cool and refreshing. Note, (1.) A good mallet, who looks well to his servants, can best afford to be a generous one to reward them. (2.) They who lie down on their beds in a gracious disposition, may comfortably hope to be preserved from the evils of the night.

2. Ruth, having observed her mother’s directions, as soon as Boaz was compelled to sleep, steals fortify, and railing up the skirt of his garments, in which he wrapped himself, lies down at his feet, waiting for his awaking, that the might remind him of his relation to her. At midnight Boaz turning himself, startles at finding a person so near him, and perceiving her a woman, he hardly interrogates her name and business. Ruth now humbly and modestly mentions her relation to him, and the consequent claim thence refishing; then waits that answer her mother bid her be directed by. Note, (1.) When temptation fortify steals upon us, as soon as our eyes are open, we must start at the danger, and turn from it. (2.) She seems that humbly seeks the saviour’s skirt of love to be spread over him, will find his request graciously received and answered.

3. Boaz, far from offering her any rudeness, or blaming her conduct as immodest or forward, is convinced of her chaffing from her former behaviour, stands repressed for his own backwardness to do her justice, and resolves immediately to see her settled as she deserved. He commends her kindness to her mother and her family in this instance of her obedience; prays God to bless her; mentions it to her honour, that she preferred the husband the law allotted her, though aged, before younger fultors, which her beauty might have attracted; and promises to reward her virtue, which all the city knew, by marrying her immediately, if the kindness who was nearer than himself, to whom the first right of redemption of the mortgaged estate belonged, should reside. This he confesses with us each, for her full satisfaction of his kind intentions. Note, (1.) They, whose conduct is exemplary, shall bear of it to their honour. (2.) In the choice of a partner, godliness should be the first recommendation.

4. ¶ And the lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, ‘Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. 15. Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon

there, then, and hold it. And when she held it, ‘he measured six members of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. 16. And when she came to her motherin-law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. 17. And she said, These six members of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law. 18. Then said she, ‘six still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. 9. 14-18. 1. Boaz, unwilling to dismiss her at that hour of the night, bids her rest in peace till morning; yet, to avoid those reflections which might be made if it were known, he advides her early to depart, that her being there might be a secret. At her departure, in token of his regard, he gave her a handstone present of six homers of barley, to take home with her. Note, (1.) We cannot be too careful to remove occasion from the ceremonial tongue of slander; and what would be liable to be misinterpreted, had better not be known. (2.) A present in token of love is twice acceptable for the giver’s sake. 2. Ruth hastens home, and, probably, knocking for admitance before Naomi was up, she enquires if it was her daughter: or it may imply a question, how she took, and whether the match were likely to succeed. Hereupon she relates all the circumstances which had passed; from which Naomi concludes, that the matter was as good as completed; that she had no more to do, but to sit down and wait, for Boaz would not rest all the affair was settled. Note, When we have waited upon God in the way of duty, we may sit still, and confidently hope to see his great salvation.