*Ruth 3:1-18
Following Naomi’s advice, Ruth secretly spends the night at Boaz’s threshing floor, positioning herself to become his wife.
- Naomi’s Plan for Ruth:
- Naomi advises Ruth to seek security and stability by proposing marriage to Boaz, their kinsman-redeemer.
- She instructs Ruth to prepare herself and go to the threshing floor where Boaz will be working, suggesting that she uncover his feet and lie down there.
- Ruth’s Obedience:
- Ruth follows Naomi’s instructions faithfully, going to the threshing floor after Boaz has finished eating and drinking and lies down at his feet.
- In the middle of the night, Boaz awakens to find a woman lying at his feet, startled by her presence.
- Ruth’s Proposal to Boaz:
- Ruth reveals her identity to Boaz and asks him to spread his garment over her, indicating her desire for him to fulfill the role of kinsman-redeemer by marrying her.
- She acknowledges Boaz as a close relative who has the right to redeem them, expressing her hope that he will take her under his protection.
- Boaz’s Response:
- Boaz commends Ruth for her kindness and loyalty, recognizing her noble character and the sacrifices she has made for Naomi.
- He assures Ruth that he will do everything she asks and pledges to redeem her, but he acknowledges that there is a closer relative who has the first right of redemption.
- Promise of Resolution:
- Boaz assures Ruth that he will resolve the matter in the morning, ensuring that their relationship will be resolved according to the customs and laws of the community.
- He advises Ruth to remain at the threshing floor until morning to avoid any potential scandal or misunderstanding.
- Boaz’s Provision for Ruth:
- Boaz sends Ruth away with a generous amount of barley as a token of his commitment to her and Naomi, ensuring that they are provided for until the matter is resolved.
- Ruth’s Return to Naomi:
- Ruth returns to Naomi in the early morning, and Naomi eagerly inquires about the outcome of her encounter with Boaz.
- Ruth shares the details of her conversation with Boaz and the barley he has given her, expressing hope for a favorable resolution to their situation.
Ruth 3:1-18 teaches us about patience, trust, and doing what is right. Ruth followed Naomi’s advice and approached Boaz with humility and respect, trusting that God would work things out. This reminds us that while we should take steps of faith, we must also wait patiently for God’s timing. It encourages us to act with integrity, seek wise guidance, and trust that God is always at work behind the scenes for our good.
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.”