Ruth 3:1
We see a change in Naomi. Instead of being beaten down and bitter, there is a new life. The prospect of Ruth and Boaz brings her hope. She prayed for her daughters in 1:9 for:
The Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband
Now, she can be part of answering that prayer.
It was the parents' job to set up marriages in that day and culture. Naomi felt responsible for setting Ruth in front of Boaz. In doing so, she relinquished her right to have Boaz as her redeemer and put Ruth in her place. The family of Elimelech would be blessed if Boaz provided an heir for Mahlon’s line with Ruth.
Boaz was the near relative. It was his responsibility to act as the goel, or kinsman redeemer. If Ruth called on him to act as the goel, he was to step in, marry Ruth and continue the bloodline of Elimelech and Mahlon.
David Guzick lists these four responsibilities of the goel:
- The kinsman-redeemer was responsible for buying a fellow Israelite out of slavery (Leviticus 25:48).
- He was responsible for being the “avenger of blood” to make sure the murderer of a family member committed the crime (Numbers 35:19).
- He was responsible to buy back family land that had been forfeited (Leviticus 25:25).
- He was responsible for carrying on the family name by marrying a childless widow (Deuteronomy 25:5-10).
Naomi sought security for Ruth. The word translated as 'security' means a place of rest or a condition of rest. This would include protection from exploitation or oppression. Ruth revealed this to her daughters-in-law from the beginning. Having Boaz as her goel would change Ruth's life and her hope for a future and a family. In addition, it would change Naomi's life.
The writer hasn’t let us forget, so let’s remember that Ruth is a Moabite, so she didn't necessarily know how this all worked. It would be up to Naomi to guide her through the process. This wasn't anything sneaky. Naomi wasn’t plotting and matchmaking. This was fitting and proper. It was accepted and expected legal process.
It's interesting to note that Boaz wasn't aware that he was in Christ's bloodline. He didn't know that the child of the wife he took would turn out to be King David's grandfather. None of these people knew the importance of what was happening. God’s providence was at work.
Similarly, His providence is at work in our lives. When we are yielded to Him, we can’t know what He may be doing behind the scenes to effect profound change in the lives of others.
Ruth 3:2-5
Harvest time was an event for the community. While we focus on Boaz and Ruth, we should remember that much of the community would have been present there. The threshing floor was on a hilltop where it could catch the wind. The stalks of grain were threshed there on the floor. Then, with winnowing forks, it was tossed into the air, and the grain would fall to the floor, and the chaff would blow away.
The threshing floor was usually shared by the community. Many of the folks would harvest and thresh one man’s field and then move on to another's field. They would stay at the threshing floor, like camping out. This was to protect the harvest until the process was complete.
Naomi made sure Ruth understood Boaz was their relative and that he and his workers were on the threshing floor winnowing barley. So, she coached Ruth to prepare herself for the evening. She was to clean up, put on perfume, and her best clothes.
- This was Naomi telling Ruth to cease being a widow and get on with life.
Remembering the place and the time, we should note that washing wasn't necessarily a daily occurrence like it is for us. This was a special event, and this special preparation was required. After she washed, she was to anoint herself. In those days, perfumed oils were used for different purposes, one of which was to cover body odor. After washing and perfuming, she was to put on her best dress.
Ruth’s washing and preparation may have marked the end of her widowhood. Washing, anointing, and clothing marked special events. Ruth may have been removing her widow’s garments and putting on other clothes (courting garments).
- Observe and then act to claim her legal right.
Then Naomi advised Ruth to not interfere while Boaz was eating. She was just to pay attention to where he lay down for the night. Then, she was to lay down at his feet. This was the place of a humble servant. It was submission. The timing of revealing her request was important and personal, not to be done in the midst of a crowded party (that would give the appearance of impropriety).
This wasn’t some indecent proposal or trap of any kind. It wasn’t Naomi and Ruth plotting to steal something away. This was two widows exercising the legal right. This would have been normal and expected. Ruth had every right to claim Boaz as her goel and request he fulfill his responsibility. She could have come as a victim claiming rights, but instead she came to him as a humble servant trusting him.
- Uncover His feet
The idea of uncovering his feet is not specifically known or understood. The idea is that she was presenting herself as a bride, asking him to fulfill his required legal duty. “Uncovering nakedness” refers to sexual contact, but that’s not what this says. The word for “foot” has been used as a euphemism for the pubic area, but that’s not always the case, so this is ambiguous.
Fruchtenbaum sees this, lying back on the edge of his mantle. This may have served to awaken him in the quiet of the night, but it served as a legal appeal. This has sexual overtones – to uncover his feet and lie down – but in this case, it should be seen that way. It was a symbolic act, meaning she was requesting Boaz to fulfill his duty as the kinsman-redeemer and marry her.
- Lie down at his feet.
Lying down across his feet was a servant’s position (diagonal across the feet). Ruth presented herself as the humble petitioner.
- Then Ruth was to listen to what Boaz said.
Boaz would not be surprised or confused. He would understand her actions and act accordingly. In many ways, this is expected but must be initiated by the widow.
Ruth took the instruction and agreed to perform all that was said.
Ruth 3:6-7
Everything went as Naomi had instructed. Boaz feasted and celebrated the harvest on the threshing floor with his workers and others in the community. He went to lie down at the heap of grain.
After a long day of threshing and an evening of celebrating and feasting, Boaz laid down on his grain. Everyone in the community who had threshed and winnowed on the threshing floor would sleep at their pile of grain to protect it until morning when it would be moved.
When Boaz laid down, Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down as instructed.
Ruth 3:8-9
At midnight, Boaz trembled (startled) awake, probably because of the cold. It was then he discovered this woman at his feet. Ruth identified herself as a maidservant, not the Moabitess or the stepdaughter of Elimelech.
Ruth asked Boaz to take her under his wing because he was a close relative. The phrase “under your wing” can be understood as either under the wing or under the corner of the garment. In 2:12, Boaz blessed her and asked for the Lord’s full reward under His wings. Now, the Boaz stands in that place to bless in the name of the Lord. When a man spread his garment over a woman, he took her under his love, care, and protection as a wife. The mantle of Boaz was like being under the shadow of the Lord’s wings. Ruth uses the word goel here, translated as 'close relative'.
Ruth 3:10-13
Boaz’s reaction is one of respect. He blessed her and called her his daughter. Boaz saw Ruth’s request as a kindness greater than the previously noted kindness of caring for Naomi. It must have been obvious to Boaz that Ruth could have gone after younger men and easily found a husband. Instead, she sought a redeemer to continue the line of Elimelech.
Many believe there was a significant age difference. Boaz may have ruled himself out as a possible husband for Ruth, particularly when she maintained herself as a widow. Boaz accepted the responsibility of acting as the kinsman redeemer for Ruth and Naomi. However, a closer relative was first in line to take this role. This may have been a new twist for Ruth and a deflating moment. But Boaz would play this by the book, and the other man must be consulted first.
Boaz assured her that the whole town saw her as a virtuous woman and that her marriage proposal would be seen as exercising her legal right. She acted with courage, and her integrity and moral character were intact.
Boaz instructed Ruth to stay the night (it would be unsafe to send her home in the middle of the night). In the morning, he would speak with the closer kinsman who had the first right of redemption. Boaz promised that “as the Lord lives,” he would do it if the other would not. This was an oath statement to Ruth.
I wonder if Ruth slept at all that night.
Ruth 3:14-15
Ruth lay at Boaz's feet until morning when she got up to leave while it was still dark. His instruction may have been to his workers, warning them to keep Ruth’s presence quiet. This may have been to preserve Ruth’s reputation – for it was common for prostitutes to visit the threshing floor in the night. Boaz didn’t want Ruth seen in that light. At the same time, Boaz wanted the legal matter of the near kinsman to be discussed at the gate and not the rumor mill. In a town of two hundred, having Ruth’s presence on the threshing floor misconstrued, and a topic of gossip would damage Boaz, Naomi, and Ruth. There was no scandal, yet avoiding the perception was wise.
Boaz instructed Ruth to bring her shawl (outer garment). She held it, and he filled it with Barley, laid it on her, and she went home. Some see this as a bride price; others believe it is merely Boaz's generosity.
The word “ephahs” was added and likely incorrect since that would be about 30 gallons or 180 pounds of barley. The NIV got this right – six measures, or six handfuls.
Jewish traditions say that the six measures given to Ruth were a sign that six pious men with six spiritual gifts would descend from her. These men were David, Daniel, Hannaniah, Mishael, Azariah, and the Messiah.
Ruth 3;16-18
Ruth does not need to do anything but rest and wait. I'm just guessing that Ruth didn't think this resting and waiting was all that easy. After all, her future, life, and hope were at stake. But Ruth trusted Naomi, Naomi’s God, Boaz, and the process. Naomi said Boaz wouldn't rest until the matter was decided. Boaz had taken Ruth under his care and protection. He would not quit until the matter was settled.
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