*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.
3:1 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? 3:2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
3:3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment 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.
3:4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
3:5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
3:6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
3:7 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 she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
3:8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
3:9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
3:10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
3:11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
3:12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
3:13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.
3:14 And she 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.
3:15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it.
And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
3:16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
3:17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
3:18 Then said she, Sit 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.