In Ruth 1, we were introduced to two widowed women, Naomi and Ruth, who had both endured incredible tragedy while in Moab. We were reminded that God is at work, even when we can’t
In Ruth 2, we’re introduced to Boaz, a man who could serve as a Family
As we come to RUTH 3, we find that the barley harvest is coming to an end and it’s time for the customary celebration.
“Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, shouldn’t I find rest for you, so that you will be taken care of? Now isn’t Boaz our relative? Haven’t you been working with his female servants? This evening he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfumed oil, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.” —Ruth 3:1-3
Though we don’t have a timeline, it’s safe to assume that there’s been a little time that has passed since.
Naomi seems discouraged that since the initial meeting of Boaz and Ruth, a romantic connection that could lead to marriage had yet to take place.
She tells Ruth that she cares for her, desires her peace and security, and then reminds Ruth that in Boaz, there is a man who could provide those things for her as her family redeemer.
“Wash, put on perfumed oil, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, notice the place where he’s lying, go in and uncover his feet, and lie down. Then he will explain to you what you should do.” —Ruth 3:3-4
What’s happening here?
Are we seeing here a manipulative mother-in-law coaching her daughter in how to take
Absolutely not!
The instructions that Naomi give Ruth are seen elsewhere in Israels history.
After David’s great sin and the subsequent fallout, we find him adourning himself in clothes of mourning.
After he is confronted by the Prophet Nathan, comes clean, and repents, the Bible says,
“Then David got up from the ground. He washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes, went to the Lord’s house, and worshiped” —2 Samuel 12:20
Ruth, remember, is a widow. Widows of her day adorned themselves with garments of mourning as an outward sign she’s grieving and
Ruth has been presenting herself in that way but Naomi telling her to wash, anoint herself and change clothes – IT’S TIME RUTH.
These are not the instructions of a conniving mother-in-law coaching her daughter to act in a provocative manner but rather of a compassionate mother-in-law who wants Ruth to know that her story isn’t
There’s another sordid story that the mind of the ancient readers of Ruth would have been drawn to. A story of another widowed Moabite woman who’s vulnerable and in need of a kinsmen redeemer.
In Genesis 38, we find the record of a man named Judah who leads his family to leave Israel and travel to Moab.
He and his wife have sons, Ur and Onan, who
Ur marries Tamar but he dies, leaves Tamar a widowed. Judah instructs the other brother to fulfil his duty by taking her as a wife.
“When brothers live on the same property and one of them dies without a son, the wife of the dead man may not marry a stranger outside the family. Her brother-in-law is to take her as his wife, have sexual relations with her, and perform the duty of a brother-in-law for her. The first son she bears will
on the name of the dead brother, so his name will not be blotted out from Israel.” —Deuteronomy 25:5-6
In the ancient world, only males were listed in genealogy. If a man died before having a son, his name was simply
The only way to continue his continue legacy was for the brother to take the widow as his wife and have sons.
So Onan marries Tamar. Yet, he also dies.
Judah tells Tamar to remain a widow and stay at his house until his young son can grow up and marry her…but it’s all a deceptive plan, as he’s just holding her hostage. He does not want his youngest son to marry her.
Tamar figures out what’s really going on and in an effort to have another son who will continue her late husbands legacy, and keep things within the family, she disguises self as prostitute and waits alongside the road that she knows Judah will travel, and becomes pregnant with twin sons, Perez and Zera, by her Father-in-law.
What a terrible story BUT one that was sure to be in the mind of the ancient readers of Ruth at this point in her story.
They would have been bracing themselves for what’s next.
“When he lies down, notice the place where he’s lying, go in and uncover his feet, and lie down. Then he will explain to you what you should do.”
—Ruth 3:4
In the ancient culture that this story is set in, this practice wasn’t
Culturally, this is a bold act of faith on Ruths part where she’s simply letting Boaz know that she is presenting herself for marriage. It’s a
As the story continues to unfold, we see Ruth doing just as Naomi instructed her to do.
She quietly comes in, uncovers the feet of Boaz, and lies down.
“At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman! So he asked, “Who are you?” “I am Ruth, your servant,” she replied. “Take me under your wing, for you are a family redeemer.” —Ruth 3:8-9
TAKE ME UNDER YOUR WING?
The same wording is used in the
“May the Lord reward you for what you have done, and may you receive a full reward from the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” —Ruth 2:12
“Kanaf”– wing, garment
In essence, she’s asking Boaz, “Will you be the
APPLICATION POINTS
God’s Providence And Sovereignty Are No Excuse For Our
That means striving to improve our situations through the application of biblical wisdom while relying on God to equip us to do what we
The Lord Can And Will