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by Katie Erickson

When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?”
Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her and added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”
Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”
- Ruth 3:16-18

This passage contains a pivotal moment in one of the Bible’s most beautiful stories of loyalty, redemption, and divine providence. Here, we see what happened after Ruth's bold nighttime encounter with Boaz on the threshing floor, which you can read about here and here. This was a turning point not only in Ruth's life but in Naomi’s as well.

When Ruth returns from the threshing floor, Naomi’s question to her in verse 16 is full of emotion. Some translations say, “Who are you, my daughter?” which in Hebrew could imply more than simply asking for news. It might reflect Naomi’s anxious curiosity: has Ruth’s status changed? Is she still a poor woman gleaning in a field, or has she become Boaz’s bride-to-be?

Every person who has ever waited in hope can relate to this moment, not knowing how their future will unfold. Naomi had sent Ruth into a highly delicate situation. While their intentions were honorable, Ruth’s nighttime approach to Boaz could have easily backfired. But now, as Ruth steps through the door, Naomi is asking not just for information but for reassurance, for hope—for a sign that their long season of emptiness might finally be coming to an end.

Naomi, who once declared she went away full and came back empty, is on the verge of having her story rewritten. Her question isn’t just about the logistics of what happened—it reflects a mother’s deep longing for restoration, both for Ruth and herself.

In verse 17, Ruth recounts what Boaz did for her, emphasizing his words: “Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.” This line is particularly important when we remember Naomi’s lament in chapter 1. She asked to be called Mara, meaning bitter, because “the Lord has brought me back empty” (Ruth 1:21). Now Boaz, perhaps knowingly, uses language that directly counters Naomi’s despair.

Boaz gives Ruth six measures of barley. While the precise amount is debated, it is clearly a generous gift. But beyond physical sustenance, this gift carries symbolic weight. It is a token of Boaz’s intentions; he didn’t send Ruth away with a vague promise. He gave something tangible, demonstrating both provision and commitment. It is also a message to Naomi; this gift wasn’t just for Ruth. Boaz intentionally told Ruth to take it to Naomi, honoring her and acknowledging her role in Ruth’s life.

Ruth’s obedience and boldness are met not with scandal or rejection but with grace and generosity. Her actions, though risky, are honored. She is no longer merely the Moabite widow who gleans in the fields—she is becoming someone Boaz esteems and protects. This also has implications for Naomi, as Boaz’s words provide her with healing. The very one who said she returned empty is now receiving fullness again—first through Ruth’s loyalty, then through Boaz’s generosity.

Naomi, who initiated the plan earlier in this chapter, now steps back and tells Ruth to wait in verse 18. This might seem surprising after all the urgency and risk they undertook. But this moment reveals something profound about faith and trust.

Naomi says, “For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.” This is not just a statement of observation; it’s a declaration of confidence in Boaz’s character and God’s providence. Naomi knows that Boaz is not the kind of man to delay. She also seems to recognize that, at this point, the outcome is out of their hands.

Earlier in the narrative, Naomi was bitter, defeated, and passive. But here, she speaks with calm assurance. Her faith has been rekindled. She believes Boaz will act righteously and swiftly, and in that belief, she releases the situation to God’s timing. Ruth, having done all she could, must now embrace the spiritual discipline of waiting. This can be the hardest part of any journey of faith—when you’ve put everything on the line and now must trust the outcome to someone else’s hands.

This short passage teaches us a hard but necessary lesson in life and faith: sometimes, the most faithful thing you can do is wait. Naomi and Ruth had taken bold steps. But now, having done their part, they must trust God (and Boaz) to move. Their story echoes the same theme seen throughout Scripture: the faithful ones who wait are the ones who see God’s hand most clearly. Faith in God is not just about bold action—it’s also about quiet trust.

In our modern culture that prizes instant gratification, waiting can feel like wasted time. But in God’s economy, waiting is never wasted when it is filled with faith. God is always working behind the scenes in our lives, orchestrating all things for His good purposes. Sometimes, that involves action on our part, but other times, that involves waiting on God and His timing.

This narrative teaches us about hope in transition and the power of waiting on God to work. Naomi asked Ruth, “How did it go, my daughter?” Truly, the answer was: It’s going beautifully because God is not done, and the best is yet to come.

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