Scene 3: The Threshing Floor

Intro

Ruth has been a challenging book thus far. We see how God uses each and every willing vessel, no matter their origin or back story.

Today, we see the story continue, we see Ruth, Boaz, and Naomi continue to fulfill the will of God.

Remember, the story of Ruth points directly to Christ. The people in this story didn’t realize that, however they still boldly followed the will of God until the very end.

Turn with me to Ruth 3.

Love Cares

As we look into Ruth Chapter 3, we really can see it divided up into three separate stories, each one emphasizing different people.

This chapter, really this whole book, exemplifies Christlike love. And, when we think about Ruth, we often tend to attribute love to Boaz more than anyone else, however, look at Ruth 3:1-5

Ruth 3:1–5 (KJV 1900)

Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor. Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.

In the first 5 verses of this chapter, Naomi prevails as the main person, and someone who cares deeply.

Love, as we see it through Naomi, cares.

This entire chapter takes place around a threshing floor. On this platform, the farmers would throw their grain up into the air and let the wind blow away the husks, separating the good from the bad.

But, before we arrive at the threshing floor, we see Naomi plan to care for Ruth and consequently herself.

She talks to Ruth and says “my daughter, should I not seek rest for thee?”

In the original language “rest” isn’t just lying down and relaxing, this word, used just the one time, means “security and happiness in marriage.”

Remember, Naomi knew the kinsmen redeemer rules and was trying to care for the future of Ruth.

She has all but adopted Ruth into her family, and has begun working to provide for her some rest.

Doesn’t this sound like the Christian life? As children adopted into the family of God, we have a Savior who works to provide for us rest in times of tragedy and pain.

We trust God, like Ruth trusted Naomi, and we do what the Lord guides us to.

Naomi gives Ruth instructions, cultural and biblical instructions to prepare herself.

Ruth 3:3 “Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.”

This was not just Ruth getting ready for a date, this was significant.

2 Samuel 12:20 “Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.”

This verse from 2 Samuel takes place right after David and Bathsheba’s child died. David went from mourning to moving through.

This is what we see in Ruth, this passage signifies that her time of mourning is over. She is ready to move into what the Lord has next for her life.

Once she was prepared, she went.

Ruth 3:4–5 (KJV 1900)

And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.

We do not find anywhere in Scripture where this situation was sexual in nature, this was a custom to signify that marriage was being proposed and that the desire for marriage was strong. . Why did they do it this way? We don’t know, and it seems odd to us, but this was their custom.

This plan wasn’t safe, but she knew that Naomi had her best interests in mind, so she went along with it willingly.

The Lord will not always ask you to do things that are safe, He may, likely will, ask you to step out of your box, your comfort zone, and do something scary.

Do you trust God enough to listen?

Love cares deeply. God cares deeply. And God’s love may ask you, even force you at times, to do things that are uncomfortable for your good and the good of others all for His glory.

Love, in turn, works.

Love Works

Ruth 3:6–7 (KJV 1900)

And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade 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 corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

Ruth, yet again, got to work.

Love works. Love is action!

Immediately she went and began the plan that Naomi had called her to.

God works in our lives to plan things for us, to lead us into places we may not expect.

Often, these plans take place for years before the event actually comes to fruition, this is what is happening with Ruth. Since before she was born, since before the foundation of the world, God planned that these events would take place. Plans leading to Boaz. Plans pointing to Jesus.

Ruth went and did as she was told.

Remember, this was not a sexual action, rather an proposal of sorts, one which did display much desire.

Ruth 3:8–9 (KJV 1900)

And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

When Boaz woke up he made a startling discovery, one he was likely awaiting. Ruth was there.

Ruth responded to his fright and said “I am Ruth, your servant.”

It is important to note here that “servant” is not the same word used in chapter 2 to describe workers, rather this word when translated means a woman ready for marriage.

She, remember, was through her initial mourning and ready to move from her past into God’s will for her future.

She then says, spread your skirt, or other translations say “wings” over your servant, for you are a redeemer.

This was a common phrase used in a marriage. It was intimate and beautiful.

It is the same wording found in Ruth 2:12 “The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”

It was protection, it was a covering, it was a promise that Boaz would be the one to care for her.

Just like God covers us, Ruth needed to be covered.

Ruth needed a redeemer.

Ruth 3:10–13 (KJV 1900)

And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning.

We see Boaz make some bold statements here. First, he is reminding Ruth that her kindness was great.

In verse 10, we hear that her last kindness was greater than her first, what does that mean? Her first kindness was to Naomi, her last was to Boaz.

In other words, she was doing the right thing.

Boaz takes a moment to say “do not fear!” In doing so, we see Boaz showing sensitivity to her fear. He knew that she was in an uncomfortable situation and scared, so he was sensitive to that and shined the love of his God.

That same verse, verse 11, is so historically significant as well!

My people know that you are a worthy woman or a virtuous woman in the KJV.

Why is this so important?

You see, in the original Hebrew Bible, the order of the books was slightly different than ours. In that order, Ruth came right after Proverbs. And, how does Proverbs end? With chapter 31.

Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”

Proverbs 31:31 “Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her own works praise her in the gates.”

If you read Proverbs 31, you read of a totally virtuous woman, one worthy of being modeled.

Ruth, if you will, was the perfect Proverbs 31 woman.

Again, let me remind you, Ruth, the MOABITE, an enemy of God turned into a child of God, is the one we can model!

Romans 5:10 “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

This is how the story continues to connect to us.

Though we are historically not the descendants of Abraham, we went from enemies of God to children of God through the death of Jesus.

Ruth points us to this time and time again.

Ruth, once an enemy of God, now a child of God through Boaz and Naomi. Through God’s grace and by faith in God.

Boaz was being used by God, so was Ruth.

Boaz, being an honest and worthy man, told Ruth, I would love to redeem you, however, there is one closer than I who has a right first, we must allow him to redeem you first, if he doesn’t then I promise I will!

This says two things about Boaz. 1) he was honest. He could have said “Okay Ruth, tomorrow we wed!” And not honor God by doing so. and 2) He was very interested. So much so, he looked into the lineage to see who would be an obstacle in his way to Ruth.

Boaz sets an example to follow God, no matter how it may affect our earthly life and to pursue what we know God is leading us to.

Fear not, follow God whole heartedly with zeal and passion to the ends of the earth!

When we do, we will see God’s provision first hand.

Love Provides

Ruth 3:14–18 (KJV 1900)

And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

Boaz protected Ruth and provided for her again.

In allowing her to stay all night and leave early in the morning before anyone else woke up, he was protecting her character. If people would have seen a woman, especially the Moabite women, walking the streets at night or in the morning coming from Boaz’s threshing floor, she would not have been seen as an honorable woman, people would have wrongly assumed things about her.

Before she left, he gave her 75lbs of barley, more than she had ever gleaned herself, showing yet again, how much she needed Boaz and how well Boaz could and would take care of her.

Naomi was impressed!

Verse 17 reminds us of Ruth 1:21 “I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?”

Naomi was empty, but God had a a plan. One which is actively unfolding as we speak. One wherein she and Ruth are taken care of.

Verse 18 is the last we will hear Ruth and Naomi speak for the rest of this book.

Ruth 3:18 “Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.”

Naomi encouraged Ruth, Boaz is going to take care of this matter. So, take a deep breath and rest. God is working!

Those words are some we need to hear often. God is going to take care of you, of your situation, of your circumstance. So, take a deep breath and rest. God is working!

SONG

Conclusion

We are promised that God will work, but we are not promised an insider view of each step.

So, with faith and trust in Jesus, we can rest even in the unknown and unsure.

Why? Because we know we are loved by an Almighty and Personal God.

A God who cares. Who works. And who provides in each of our situations.

God planned things to take place in your life from far beyond the beginning of time. Just like He made plans for Ruth and Boaz, even Naomi!

So, we can trust. We can rest. We are taken care of.

Something is weighing heavy on you today. Something you need taken care of. Some area of life that you need God’s care, work, and provision. Can I encourage you to pray? Ask God to move, and then trust that He is and will continue to do so, even if you can’t see Him.

Allow Him to work.

Allow Him to have control so that the best can take place.

Step into the uncomfortable situations wherein He calls you, and trust Him.

Be Ruth today.

Trust God for your life.

Trust God for your salvation.

*salvation plea*

until you know God as your Savior. Until you trust Him with faith, you will not have His care, work, and provision the way you need it.

Ruth didn’t have these great blessings until she believed God and placed her faith in Him, turning from her idols and gods.

Will you come pray today?