Ruth Series- Week 3

Recap:

Ruth visits the field of Boaz, and finds sustenance in his field and finds herself in a conversation with Boaz. It becomes clear to Ruth that He has taken notice of her and urges her to go no where else but his field. She returns to Naomi and report of this great hope. Naomi appears to be encouraged and rejuvinated.

This is where we pick up chapter 3. Naomi (with an encouraged heart) begins to get more involved with this encounter between Ruth and Boaz. Naomi begins to instruct Ruth on her next steps, but first desires to find security for her. This could have been housing, or just re-itterating the need for a kinsman redeemer. Ruth may still be puzzled at this time. We are not entirely sure how long it has been since Mahlon and Chillion have died, but time has past where she has now been a widow, and perhaps the thought of remarriage had come and gone. Naomi seems to keep Ruth on track here and reminds her of who she had been with. “Is he not a relative?” Naomi then gives her some insight as to where Boaz will be.

Threshing floor: A threshing floor is a flat, open area used in ancient times to separate grain from its husks (chaff) after the harvest. It's a crucial step in the process of preparing grain for consumption or storage.

The process typically involved laying out the harvested stalks on the threshing floor and then using animals or tools to trample or beat the stalks, loosening the grain. The grain and chaff were then tossed into the air, and the wind would carry away the chaff, while the grain fell back down.

Naomi gives Ruth, 3 very practical steps:

Clean Up and annoint yourself (Perhaps to signify the mourning is over).

Clothe nicely

Fit in and don’t make your self known (Don’t draw attention to yourself).

Take notice of where he will rest, and uncover his feet. ( a bold marriage proposal)

Now, there has been great debate over this section of Scripture, however before we jump in it, this is one of those moments we need to understand the spirit in which it is being conducted, in which it has been written, and what we know about these two individuals. How Ruth and Boaz has taken steps of humility, submission, and provision, I do not believe this to be a moment of sin. There is a piece of their culture at that time we need to appreciate. I will repeat it again, I do not see Ruth here throwing herself at this man begging for a husband. Naomi provides some practical things for Ruth to do. Sometimes the man needs to know that the woman is interested in proceeding in a relationship. We aren’t all that bright at times. Naomi says, clean up, wash up, smell nice, put on some nice close ( not immodest) and lastly, don’t make yourself known to him at this time, until he has eaten. That really is the best time to interact with a man after all.

So Ruth does as she is instructed in vs. 5 and 6. Boaz is cheerful after his meal. I am unsure of what he ate, but I surely can appreciate this note we have. Now, take a notice of where he decides to rest. HE went and lied down at the end of the heap of grain. This was not his bedroom! Know the context! Know the environment. Ruth approaches Boaz in his sleep, uncovers his feet and lies down at the feet of Boaz. At this point Boaz is startled. Perhaps like any person, the cold air touching his feet woke him, and he becomes startled at midnight. This guy has been working the harvest, perhaps in a quiet place, just ate and is trying to get some rest, just to find someone at his feet!

Vs. 9.: Ruth tells Boaz that he is a relative and lets him know that he can take her under his wing. She is referring to the kinsman redeemer. She is letting him know, “I am interested if you are interested”. Boaz realizes what is going on and sees her kindness to him. Notice he doesnt say in all of his strength, “Yeah you do need a man”. Know he notices her heart yet again. He takes notice that she and his young men had followed his instructions and she has not pursued younger men. Boaz reiterates that he knows she is a virtuous woman who has been spoken of throughout the town. Vs. 12-Boaz then recognizes that he is a close relative, however there is one closer, and as we saw in Leviticus, there is a process that we see for how a widow was to be claimed by a redeemer. Boaz tells Ruth that he must follow the process, and if this other closer relative does not desire to redeemer her, that he will gladly redeemer her. What news this must have been to Ruth! Boaz then says to Ruth, to stay, and she arose before anyone could notice her. This probably occurred so that no one would make suggestive comments to what they think they were doing. Remember these are virtuous people. They are at the fleshing floor, not a residential area! Boaz sends her back with 60 lbs of barley and and we see in vs. 17 that Boaz tells her to go not empty handed to her mother in law. Smart man to include the mother in law to possibly receive her blessing on this marriage- and signify to Naomi his intentions. Naomi then tells Ruth to just wait it out. Boaz needed to follow through on the process to redeemer her.

Chapter 4:

Boaz now goes to the city gate of Bethlehem. This is typically where disputes were handled with the elders, transactions would take place and it provided for a great meeting place. Boaz heads there and sees this closer relative. Whom we do not know. He immediately includes 10 elders, like witnesses) into this conversation he is about to have with this relative. Boaz begins to lay all of this out, and first focuses on the transaction of the land. This close relative seems interested and says “ I will redeem it”. IF anyone was around , or if Ruth and Naomi were in ear shot of this, they could now be thinking “What are you doing?”

However, Boaz then includes that with the land this woman’s daughter in law must be redeemed and the guy isn’t as excited. He even introduces Ruth as the “Moabitess”. That closer relative may have been thinking about the inheritance he was going to leave his children and didn’t want to add another person to split the inheritance with (Vs. 6). He then tells Boaz to redeem it. Then we see this cultural agreement take place (Deut. 25:9) . Almost to say, that the land in which I trod, work on, and dwell, I have given over to you. They would show this by giving the other man his sandal. This was considered a sealed deal in the lands. And those 10 elders are there to witness it.

Through this marriage we see an incredible lineage continue to develop. Naomi in many ways is then accredited this redeemer through the eyes of the people. THey once saw her emptiness and now see her fullness. Perhaps if she wasn’t past child bearing days, she would have been at the threshing floor that night. The bitter one was now blessed, Obed is born. Obed (Worshipper). Hey the names have improved!

What a beautiful story of redemption granted to someone who was down and out. Someone who had been cut off and destitute.

Here in this story we are able to see such a clear picture of Christ as our redeemer. Ruth is at the feet of Boaz in all humility and submission, simply following instruction. Boaz sees her kindness and virtue that she has added to the community. This isn’t the first time he sees her, but as the story went on he sees her for who is and is designed to be.

We are much like Ruth, once dead with sin, past trouble, present hopelessness or future suffering. We were destined for Hell and at times when Naomi and Ruth may have considered how hopeless the situation really was their mind began to spiral. Naomi turns to bitterness, and Ruth turns to friendship. However, the Lord provided Boaz to care for, protect, provide, and cover Ruth.

Our Savior is not just someone we lean into when times are tough. He is our provider, protector, our companion, and our Redeemer. One who sees us at His feet, and desires to cover us. One who sends us back out full, when once we were empty. The transaction that took place at the city gate is a brief image that there was a price to be paid for Ruth. God paid that price for us and desires us to remain at His feet for more than just one night. I wonder if Boaz hung that sandal up on the wall in their home, maybe placed a verse over it.… “

Deep sorrow turned to radiant joy; emptiness gave way to fullness”

“Regardless of all of the doubt, it is clear that the faithful God has been about His business on Ruth’s behalf. We should also be about His business. The rewards of responsible living are always the sweet fruit of God’s Grace”- Roy Zuck”

A) Cling to those who are looking at their circumstances too closely

B) Enjoy the harvest field of our Redeemer

C) Sit and His feet and desire a relationship with Christ (Romans 7:1-6).

Consider a relationship Christ today! Notice Boaz didn’t ask Ruth to marry her, Ruth went to Him. The gift of Salvation has been made available to all people, go to Him at His feet today, recognize your inability, your sin, and submit to Him as the King of your Heart, and Wholly Follow Him!

He is our Companion in Chaos

2. He is the Joy of our Salvation

3. He is the Restorer of our Life

A story of true emptiness turned to fullness. Perhaps Naomi is reminded of her words “I came back empty”. No more!

That’s what happens at the feet of the Savior on a daily basis. We show up in our emptiness, humility in submission to Him. He sees us, covers us, fills us and send us out, with arms full to share with others. And the cycle continues. The cycle surely does continue through the family line, as we see countless encountors of our Redeemer who provides a way, family members who see others kindness and value regardless of their past or present trouble. We see the tendency of bitterness to overtake us, however faithfully, people are turned back to God and enjoy the harvest field of His Salvation realizing great rest, nourishment and restoration lies at the feet of our Redeemer.