Ruth Chapter 3

Ruth & Esther: Women of Faith, Bravery, and Hope Background of the Passage

This book tells a remarkable story of the sovereignty and goodness of God. In chapter one, we meet Naomi, a Jewish woman who fled to a neighboring land with her husband and two sons because of a famine in Israel. Ten years later we watch Naomi return to her homeland with a Moabite daughter-in-law named Ruth and not much else. As widows these women faced a bleak future. How would they survive in a culture built around intact families? More important, how would they make it in an increasingly decadent society (see Judges)?

The second chapter depicts how God graciously guided the young Moabitess, Ruth, to the field of Boaz. A prominent man of character, Boaz was also a close relative of Naomi. As such, he offered protection to Ruth as she gleaned in his fields among his reapers. He further provided generously for these women.

In chapter three, this delightful story of love, faithfulness, and devotion takes an unexpected turn. Encouraged by Ruth’s positive experience in Boaz’s field, Naomi instructed her in what she should do to ensure a brighter future. The mother-in-law told the daughter-in-law to put on her best appearance and to propose marriage to Boaz by utilizing an ancient Near Eastern custom. Since Boaz was a generation older than Ruth (2:8), this overture would indicate Ruth’s desire to marry him which the older, gracious Boaz would not have initiated with a younger woman.

Ruth carefully followed Naomi’s directions to solicit redemption by Boaz, while God prepared Boaz to redeem Ruth. Only one potential obstacle remained: a relative nearer than Boaz.

God’s design and order is best...... does not always makes sense in the moment......

Being men and women of virtue/character/righteousness/holy living is who God calls us and calls us to be!

Ruth 3:1-7“1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? 2 “Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight. 3 “Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, 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; then he will tell you what you shall do.” 5 She said to her, “All that you say I will do.”

I love Ruth’s obedience..... okay, I’ll do it! Her life of faith, faithfulness, trusting!

Relationships- important for our Christian walk

Ruth 1:20-21 “20 She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.”

“21 “I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?””

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.

Ruth 3:8-12 “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 over your maid, for you are a close relative.” 10 Then he said, “May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.

loyal love — an unfailing kind of love, kindness, or goodness; often used of God’s love that is related to faithfulness to his covenant.

11 “Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. 12 “Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.”

Ruth 3:13-18 “13 “Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning.” 14 So she lay at his feet until morning and rose before one could recognize another; and he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 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. Then she went into the city. 16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go, my daughter?” 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.’ ” 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.””

WAIT........ something we are not the best at doing

PROBLEM

Time of Judges- where everyone did what was right in his own eyes!

Worldly issues- sexual permiscuity is celebrated, marriages are perverted, unpopular to be pure and holy and usually comes with persecution and name calling, sexual content is everyone and being pushed younger and younger...... marriage is not sacred......