RUTH 3

It has been a few week sense we have been together so I'm going to start out with a short recap.

Last time we were together Ruth had been out gleaning in Boaz field, she had won favor in Boaz eyes and he not only let her glean in his fields but he had also warned his young men not to bother her.

He had told her to stay close to his maidservants and glean close to them ,which would of put her were the good grain was before it had been gleaned over by someone else.

Boaz had told his young men to drop grain on purpose so she could pick it up.

He had her eat dinner with him at basically the head table. He gave her special food and let her take some of the prepared grain home with her.

He did all of this because hot.

He did all of this because she was a virtuous woman , because her reputation had proceeded her. He knew how she had taken care of Naomi [ He would of been aware he was a relative].

He gets a good report from his foreman about how hard she works and how respectful she was and then he witnesses it herself.

Because of the kind of man Boaz is , He rewards her by allowing her to stay in his field and then some.

We have talked a little about this being a romantic relationship. Did Boaz find Ruth attractive? I would say yes, but what the scripture has explained about Ruth is what was attractive about her was her virtue. Her character.

So Ruth gets done working for the day . She takes the left over food from her meal and the grain she had gleaned. I five gallon bucket full and took it to Naomi.

Naomi asked where did she glean said a blessing over the man that had given them these blessings, and then Ruth told her it was Boaz field to which Naomi praised the Lord again because she resizes the bigger blessing that is available do to Gods law that Boaz could be the redeemer of her family.

So Naomi gives Ruth further instruction on what to do and how to stay safe.

Now from the time Ruth started gleaning until the beginning of chapter 3 or between chapter two and chapter three is impossible to calculate this is all happening within a two month period. The two lady's arrived at the begging of the harvest the barley harvest last two moths and Boaz is now still gleaning barley. The entire harvest that Boaz has told Ruth she could glean his field for what would be four months and that includes wheat and barley with barley being first. So at this point Ruth has been around Boaz a t the most four months and I think less than that, but the had observed each other and I'm assuming had talked some. I think observing might have been the most important part.

I'm going to give a trigger warning and a discl

aimer all in one. I myself am a hopeless romantic. Isn’t that right babe. I no a lot of people consider this a love story and it is , but it is not a secular love story. This is a love story that it benefits us to hear. This is a love story that I believe should be taught to every young person in our country.

The New King James Version Chapter 3

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 Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative

I'm going to start out by saying you can find a lot of different commentary on these passages of scripture through here I went with what I agree with the most. So if the commentary in your Bible doesn't line up with what I'm saying your bible is wrong. Several commentary's claim that Naomi was scheming here. I don’t believe that. I think Naomi loved Ruth and wanted what was best for her . I believe Naomi new the Law of God and new Elimelech and her so was without a name sake.

My daughter shall I not seek security for you. Love story. There is love all over that statement. A mom wanted the best for her daughter.

Ruth 1:9 NKJV

The Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.” So she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.

The Hebrew name for rest here is the word for security in verse 3:1. monawoch . I want you to find a home not a house . I want you to find rest and security. This is not for Naomi. The outcome might be good for her as well but this is what she wanted for them in Moab.

So often in our society this is money and a nice house. We want are daughters to marry Doctors are Lawyers. Someone with a degree. That could be what your daughter dreams of as well . What about security and rest. Can this have some to do with rest ? Absolutely. When you don’t have security and rest. What about a spouse that is never where there supposed to be . No security no rest. How about someone who makes good money but spends all of it? No security no rest.

There are so many things that go in to being a good spouse, why has the vetting process became something that is taken so lightly.

As a society we have heard a lot lately about the attach on the American family. Look no further than this scripture . The downfall of the family came about by people not looking for a home with rest and security in it.

So my point is Naomi wanted the best for Ruth.

Then Naomi says isn’t Boaz our relative. I do not believe Naomi is saying here [ we have Boaz where we want him. He is a Jew the law says he has to do it. She is saying this man that has been kind to you and the people that works for him. This Jewish man that follows the Low of the Lord. This man that has been providing for us. He is a goel or redeemer for our family if he chooses go to him and let him make his decision.

In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.

The threshing floor would not of belonged to Boaz. He would have belonged to the community. It would have ben up on a hill are platform. It would be level ground. If it was on a hill there would be a plateau there . The barley would had ben ground possible by animals pulling a stone around and then they would take the barley at night are in the evening when there was a breeze and they are at this raised elevation and the would through this up in the air and the heaver grain would fall to the ground and the lighter un wanted material the chaff would blow away . That’s what Boaz is up to at this point.

Ruth 3:3–5 NKJV

Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do.” And she said to her, “All that you say to me I will do.”

Naomi tells Ruth[ doll up a little put on your best dress spray on some perfume. The thing is the garment wouldn't look like something girls where to prom these days. This would have been a heavy garment . It would help to keep her warm on the threshing floor at night. It would have not shown her curves it would have concealed them. The idea was to keep her under the radar.

So Ruth goes to the threshing floor and does what she told Naomi she would do. She put on the garment and all and went to the threshing floor stayed in the shadows and watched Boaz as he hung out with his men and ate and drank.

The New King James Version Chapter 3

4 Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you

This could be a dangerous thing. Naomi was 99.9 present sure she new Boaz character. This could have been a very bad situation. Go lay at this mans feet and do what ever he tells you. This was a ritual of the day . It was a sign of submission. To send a young woman into that situation would take some thought. The thing is Boaz was a righteous man. If he had not been this scenario would not be happening. The first night she came home Naomi didn't say run back up there submit yourself two him. This is a process that has taken thought and prayer, counsel and knowledge of the man. This was not taken lightly. She is looking for a husband not a sex partner.

Ruth 3:6–7 NKJV

So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.

Now Ruth was at the threshing floor . She is doing what Naomi had ask her. Boaz had finished eating and drinking. It says his heart was cheerful. He had a good meal his belly was full. It doesn,t say here what he was drinking. It could of been wine it could of been water either way he was content .

He found him a comfy spot and laid down to sleep. The owner of the grain would sleep where the grain was to keep people from stilling it.

1 Samuel 23:1 NKJV

Then they told David, saying, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors.”

Times were tough in Isreal at this time.

So Ruth went and laid by Boaz feet. Why did she do this now ? In the dark at the threshing floor. Possibly to be discreet. This way was humble. This way could save face for everyone depending on the answer.

Ruth 3:8–9 NKJV

Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.”

So imagine being Boaz for a moment. He is sleeping . Trying to protect his property and wakes up with someone laying at his feet and then to find out its a woman.

He ask who it is and she says I'm Ruth your maidservant. Such humility. What a servants heart Ruth has.

Take me under your wing.

Ruth 2:12 NKJV

The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

That is a prayer Boaz had prayed for Ruth . [ that is beautiful in its self. Boaz prayed for her. That should be a question every man and woman should ask themselves before getting in a relationship. Would this person pray for me.

Ruth had put herself under Gods wings before she went to Bethlehem. I'm going to make your God my God. Now she is asking Boaz to take her in marriage. To put her under his protection under the corner of his garment.

Ezekiel 16:8 NKJV

“When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord God.

This is God speaking to Isreal. This is awesome the language here. This should be wedding vows. You were vulnerable, I put a shield around you I protected you. I swore an oath and made a covenant with you so you are mine. I am your protector and you security. Isn't that what we do when we get married we swear an oath and make a covenant with that other person to be there for them. Its not I will never gain any weight I will buy you anew house every 5 years. Its to become one complete person in to body's.

Ruth 3:10–11 NKJV

Then he said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.

Boaz response was blessed are you of the Lord my daughter. We don’t know what the age gap is here but there is one and Boaz is aware of it. Boaz has not forced his hand here. If he wanted to he could of claimed her through the redeemer law but he didn’t. He waited for her to come to him.

He says she was kinder in the end than the beginning. She didn’t go looking for just any husband are a husband at all. She committed herself to Naomi and in return by thinking with her brain, her and Naomi will be taken care of and carry on the name of her deceased husband

What a love story commitment, humility, virtue . This is a love story

 Literally, Boaz called Ruth a hah-yil woman. The basic meaning behind this Hebrew word is “strength; moral strength, good quality, integrity, virtue.” This same word is used in a term for heroes in the Bible: A mighty man of valor. Just as courage and strength make a man a hero, so Ruth’s courage and strength, shown in her virtue – make her a hero, in the Proverbs 31 kind of definition of a woman of virtue.

Ruth is a Proverb 31 lady and Boaz is willing and I believe excited about making Ruth his wife but there is one more hoop to jump through.

Ruth 3:12–13 NKJV

Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you—good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning.”

According to the Law to the scriptures without this other guy turning Ruth down Boaz couldn’t merry her. And Boaz wouldn’t do it without it being right in the eyes of God. Upright man that loved God and wouldn’t brake his commandments. There is so much love in this story.

For Ruth’s protection Boaz has her stay there till morning.

Ruth 3:14–15 NKJV

So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, “Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” Also he said, “Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.” And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.

Boaz sent Ruth off early in the morning probably to keep Ruth away from gossip and also because the closer relative hadn’t been ask about any of this yet. So he tells her to take off her shaw so he could load it with grain. I'm not sure about how much grain this would be. What I found it would be 33 gal which she couldn’t carry.

Ruth 3:16–18 NKJV

When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “Is that you, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her. And she said, “These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, ‘Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’ ” Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”

so now it is a waiting game . Ruth put it out there she wanted to marry now who will she marry.

Love...is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by (in Christian marriages) the grace which both partners ask, and receive, from God. They can have this love for each other even at those moments when they do not like each other; as you love yourself even when you do not like yourself.

C. S. Lewis