Trust, Boldness, and Redemption (Ruth 3:1-18)
Ruth Chapter 3 is a powerful part of the story where everything begins to change. After seeing God’s kindness through Boaz in Chapter 2, Naomi and Ruth take a bold step forward. This chapter is all about trusting God, taking wise risks, and waiting for His plan to unfold.
Let’s walk through it together in a way that’s easy to understand.
Naomi Has a Plan
Naomi loves Ruth and wants her to have a secure and peaceful future. She knows that Boaz is a close relative—someone who could possibly help them in a big way.
So, Naomi comes up with a plan: she tells Ruth to go to the threshing floor at night, where Boaz will be sleeping after a long day of working and celebrating the harvest. There, Ruth will ask Boaz to take her under his protection.
It might sound unusual to us today, but in their culture, this was a respectful and clear way to ask for help—and possibly marriage.
Ruth Steps Out in Faith
Ruth listens to Naomi and carefully follows her advice. She washes, puts on her best clothes, and heads out to the threshing floor.
Once Boaz is asleep, Ruth quietly uncovers his feet and lies down there. This act wasn’t inappropriate—it was a humble request for care and protection. It showed that she trusted Boaz’s kindness and character.
In the middle of the night, Boaz wakes up and is surprised to find someone there. Ruth introduces herself and says, “Spread your garment over me.” This was a gentle way of asking Boaz to take her in as part of his family, to become her protector.
Boaz Responds with Respect and Honor
Boaz doesn’t hesitate to praise Ruth for her kindness and bravery. He sees that she hasn’t gone after younger men but is choosing to do what’s right for her family and for Naomi.
He’s willing to help—but there’s one detail: there’s another relative who is closer in line to help than he is. Boaz promises to speak to that man in the morning and see what can be done.
This shows Boaz’s deep sense of honor. He wants to do the right thing the right way.
Ruth Comes Home with Hope
Before Ruth returns to Naomi, Boaz gives her a generous gift of barley to take home. He doesn’t send her away empty-handed.
When Ruth gets back and tells Naomi everything that happened, Naomi is filled with hope. She tells Ruth to wait patiently because Boaz will definitely take care of things—“He won’t rest until it’s resolved.”
What We Can Learn from Ruth 3
This chapter teaches us some valuable lessons:
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Trust God, even when the way forward is unclear. Ruth and Naomi didn’t know how things would turn out, but they stepped out in faith.
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Be bold and humble. Ruth took a brave step, but she did it with great respect and wisdom.
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Character matters. Boaz shows how important it is to act with integrity, even in private moments.
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God is preparing something good. This chapter shows us that help, hope, and redemption are on the way—even if it takes time.
Final Thoughts
Ruth Chapter 3 is a turning point in the story. Ruth and Naomi have gone from sorrow to hope, and Boaz is ready to help. But there’s still one more step before everything is settled.
If you’re in a season of waiting or wondering what’s next, remember this chapter: God sees your faith, your kindness, and your courage. He is always working behind the scenes.
Ruth 3:1-18 (WEB)
3:1 Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Now isn’t Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold, he will be winnowing barley tonight on the threshing floor. 3 Therefore wash yourself, anoint yourself, get dressed, and go down to the threshing floor; but don’t make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 It shall be, when he lies down, that you shall note the place where he is lying. Then you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down. Then he will tell you what to do.”5 She said to her, “All that you say, I will do.” 6 She went down to the threshing floor, and did everything that her mother-in-law told her. 7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. She came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8 At midnight, the man was startled and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9 He said, “Who are you?”She answered, “I am Ruth your servant. Therefore spread the corner of your garment over your servant; for you are a near kinsman.”10 He said, “You are blessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, because you didn’t follow young men, whether poor or rich. 11 Now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do to you all that you say; for all the city of my people knows that you are a worthy woman. 12 Now it is true that I am a near kinsman. However, there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13 Stay this night, and in the morning, if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, good. Let him do the kinsman’s duty. But if he will not do the duty of a kinsman for you, then I will do the duty of a kinsman for you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until the morning.”14 She lay at his feet until the morning, then she rose up before one could discern another. For he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 He said, “Bring the mantle that is on you, and hold it.” She held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; then he went into the city.16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go, my daughter?”She told her all that the man had done for her. 17 She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley; for he said, ‘Don’t go empty to your mother-in-law.’ ”18 Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know what will happen; for the man will not rest until he has settled this today.”