One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”
“I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.
- Ruth 3:1-6
As we start chapter 3 of the book of Ruth, this passage presents a significant turning point in Ruth’s life. To fully grasp the weight of this passage, it is essential to understand the ancient Israelite customs at play. In that patriarchal society, a woman’s security often depended on her connection to a male provider. As widows without male heirs, Naomi and Ruth were particularly vulnerable. Naomi’s plan for Ruth to seek Boaz’s favor was not merely about marriage but about securing redemption through a cultural practice known as levirate marriage and the role of the kinsman-redeemer.
The kinsman-redeemer was a male relative responsible for protecting the interests of needy family members, including marrying the widow of a deceased relative to provide an heir. Boaz, as a relative of Naomi’s late husband Elimelech, was in a position to fulfill this role. However, Ruth’s approach to Boaz is anything but conventional—it is bold, risky, and a leap of faith.
Naomi begins in verse 1 by expressing her desire to find Ruth a permanent home, ensuring her well-being. The Hebrew word for "home" in this verse implies rest and security, not just a house, signifying Naomi’s deep concern for Ruth’s future stability. Despite her own hardships, Naomi prioritizes Ruth’s welfare, reflecting the selfless love that underscores their relationship.
Naomi had previously realized that Boaz was a relative, but in verse 2 she calls him out to Ruth as the potential redeemer. Naomi recognizes the opportunity provided by the threshing floor since the harvest was still going on. The threshing floor is where the valuable grain was separated from the worthless chaff. Men would sleep there overnight to protect their harvest, making it a secluded and strategic setting for Ruth’s approach.
In verse 3, Naomi instructs Ruth to wash, put on perfume, and wear her best clothes. These actions signify more than personal grooming; they symbolize transition. Some scholars suggest that Ruth was signaling the end of her mourning period as a widow, presenting herself as eligible for marriage. This was also, of course, for her to appeal to Boaz during their encounter.
Naomi’s instructions for Ruth to "uncover his feet and lie down" in verse 4 might seem unusual to modern readers. However, in ancient Near Eastern culture, uncovering a person’s feet could symbolize submission and seeking protection. By doing so, Ruth is not seducing Boaz but rather making a humble and clear request for redemption. This act reflects trust in both Naomi’s wisdom and Boaz’s integrity.
Ruth responds, "I will do whatever you say" (verse 5). We don’t see any objection or questioning of Naomi’s intent by Ruth. Her obedience is not blind but rooted in faith—faith in Naomi’s guidance, in Boaz’s character, and in God’s provision.
Ruth follows through with Naomi’s plan in verse 6, stepping into an uncertain situation with courage. Her actions demonstrate initiative, humility, and faith, laying the groundwork for what follows in the rest of the chapter.
Along with continuing the narrative, we see multiple lessons in this passage. Ruth does not passively wait for a redeemer; she steps forward in faith. She trusted Naomi’s plan that it was of God, which demonstrates how we as believers are called to trust God’s provision while actively participating in His plans. It is important to remember that Ruth was still a Moabite “outsider,” but she was learning Israelite customs. She trusted Naomi to guide her correctly, but yet she is courageous in this unconventional approach to Boaz.
Ruth, a Moabite outsider, respects Israelite customs yet courageously challenges traditional gender roles. Her approach to Boaz is unconventional, but it is done with wisdom and respect.
After her initial deep despair in Ruth 1, we see Naomi now full of hope and expectation. She now sees a path forward for herself and her daughter-in-law. Even when life seemed bleak, God was working behind the scenes, guiding their steps.
Boaz, as the kinsman-redeemer, foreshadows Christ, who redeems humanity from spiritual destitution. Just as Ruth sought Boaz’s protection, we as believers seek refuge under Christ’s redemption. We know that we are unable to save ourselves, but when we approach Jesus with courage, He is always there as our redeemer.
This passage offers encouragement to trust God in seasons of uncertainty, to act in faith while honoring the wisdom of others, and to recognize that God’s provision often comes through the community He places around us. Just as Ruth found favor with Boaz, believers can rest in the assurance that God, our ultimate Redeemer, provides security and hope beyond our circumstances.
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1 comments:
Amen
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