Ruth 3:1-18

Ruth 3:1-18

Dr. Steven R. Cook

 

Then [at the end of harvest season] Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? [i.e. lasting security] ² “Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight [threshing = separating the kernels of grain from the chaff]. ³ “Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes [perhaps to indicate she is passed grieving her deceased husband; see Gen. 38:14; 2 Sam. 14:2], and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. ⁴ “It shall be when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down [a picture of submission implying a request for marriage]; then he will tell you what you shall do.” ⁵ She said to her, “All that you say I will do.” ⁶ So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded 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; and she came secretly, and uncovered his feet and lay down [an expression of submission]. ⁸ It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet. ⁹ He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering [כָּנָף kanaph – lit. wing – i.e. “cover me with the covering I removed from you”; a picture of protection and provision; cf. Ezek. 16:8] over your maid, for you are a close relative [גֹאֵל - goel – kinsman-redeemer].” ¹⁰ Then he said, “May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness [חֶסֶד chesed – loyal-love; i.e. to carry on the name of her deceased husband] to be better than the first [to sacrifice all to care for Naomi; see Ruth 1:16-17] by not going after young men, whether poor or rich [Ruth pursued a marriage that would provide protection and provision for her and Naomi]. ¹¹ “Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask [concerning marriage], for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence [אֵ֥שֶׁת חַ֖יִל - esheth chayil – woman of worth; cf. Prov. 31:10  the woman of excellence has a strong work ethic, commitment to family and concern for others]. ¹² “Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I [Boaz recognizes the legal right of a closer relative; thus honoring/submitting to God’s word]. ¹³ “Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you [as the Law directs], good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the LORD lives [i.e. swearing an oath of promise; see 1 Kings 1:29-30]. Lie down until morning.” ¹⁴ So she lay at his feet until morning and rose before one could recognize another; and he said [probably to his workers], “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor [to avoid gossip and protect her reputation].” ¹⁵ Again he said, “Give me the cloak that is on you and hold it.” So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her [approximately 60 pounds, as a sign of his good will]. Then she went into the city. ¹⁶ When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go, my daughter?” [i.e. did Boaz agree to the proposal?] And she told her all that the man had done for her. ¹⁷ She said, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, ‘Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’” [Boaz is thoughtful about others] ¹⁸ Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.” [Boaz is not a procrastinator]