Loyalty of Ruth and Kindness of Boaz

Thesis Statement: Ruth goes out of her comfort zone to make herself available to Boaz, and in this way, she desires to rest in his presence.

What I want people to get away with: Ruth is ready to marry Boaz and does everything that Naomi tells her to do. A risky flirting but a well-paid off move.

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-18

Introduction

We are in chapter 3 of our series on Ruth.

Quick catchup:

- We are in a season of Judges, no kings.

- Great famine comes around to the city

- Naomi and her husband move to Moab

- Their two sons marry Moabite girls

- The men of the house die and leave the ladies at a choice: move back to the promise land

- Ruth decides to stay and they both move back to Naomi’s hometown

- Ruth starts her work, very demanding byt then finds favor in the owner’s eyes

- Boaz invites her to eat and work less for more pay

- They have a great time together but nothing major happens for quite some time

- Naomi has a plan of how to get Ruth married, but it comes with weird twists and turns.

Now, we are in Act 4 of this story arc of redemption.

Naomi’s great plan on how to marry Ruth (1-7)

Ruth 3:1–7 “Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” And she replied, “All that you say I will do.” So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down.”

Naomi is this opinionated mother-in-law who wants the best for Ruth but is tired of waiting.

- Either afraid of leaving her behind or wants to have security for herself

o Ruth needs a place to belong, rest, and be a part of.

- In the middle of the day, creates a plan for Ruth to follow through

o “10 steps to get the marriage you deserve” tyle of a plan

a. This is what you do to:

i. Take a bath

1. Cleansing or just getting all the dirt and smell off of you

ii. Put on some perfumed oil

1. Traditions to when ladies would get ready for marriage, they would put on the best of what they have.

iii. Pull out that beautiful dress (general cloak)

1. Most likely, it meant, to change your clothes so that Boaz knows that you are done wallowing and ready to be redeemed/to be married

iv. After he’s done eating, uncover him and lay next to his feet[1]

1. Wasn’t a traditional way of doing things but Naomi had a plan!

2. Wait until he’s in a good mood

v. He will take care of the rest

This can go two ways:

1) Boaz can easily say no

a. Ruth ends up looking pretty dumb, to be considered as adulteress or prostitute

2) Boaz would see that she is ready

a. The feelings will be reciprocated and they get married

Ruth doesn’t ask any questions; she blindly follows Naomi’s commands.

· Boaz is moving from a Kingsman redeemer to a husband

· Boaz respected traditions and order, that is why many honored him (not a liar)

[1] lay, sleep – a sexual relations or relationships Uncover his feet – another way of saying genitalia.

Boaz and Ruth are in love, but continue maintaining the level of righteousness (8-13)

Ruth went to Boaz in the middle of the night. How many times we do things in secrecy thinking that it is a great idea. Nevertheless, we are moving forward with the story: Boaz and Ruth talk.

Ruth 3:8–9 ESV

At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

Spread the corner of your garment over me (dwelling under the wings of protection)

Resting or dwelling in the protection and care of Boaz

Ruth 3:10–11 ESV

And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.

a. …my daughter - a level of respect

b. Ruth could have chosen any other dude while she started to get her life together.

a. Ruth tended and listened to Naomi’s advice.

c. Naomi’s risky plan paid off

d. Ruth’s reputation is of a noble character – she will carry a great name one day.

Ruth 3:12–13 ESV

And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”

a. We have a situationship

a. Boaz is ready to marry her but he knows that things need to be done the right way

b. Ruth stays with him until the morning, both of them are trusting each other.

Resting in his presence. Dwelling in the assurance of the redeemer.

God provided a redemption story for Ruth and for Naomi (14-18)

Ruth 3:14–18 ESV

So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city. And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her, saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’ ” She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”

Naomi, in chapter one said “I left the promise land full, but came back empty.”

Ruth went away from Naomi empty handed, but came back with full amount.

God doesn’t speak in these chapters, but he is hinting in the most creative ways.

In just a quick moment, Naomi gets her answer from the Lord she was complaining to, but He wasn’t answering.