Resting in Faith

The Proposal For Rest (vv1-2)

1.) The Maker of the Proposal

Naomi was the one to put forth the idea of Ruth needing a husband.

In verse 1 it says that Naomi wanted to give Ruth “Rest” This word in Hebrew is “Manoah” which means “place of rest”

Naomi was trying to find that for Ruth, a place of rest from the things that they had been going through over the last year or so.

What marriage offered during this time:

Security

tranquility

Rest from worry of starvation and privation

No longer worrying about where they were going to get money or food from.

Naomi cloud tell that Ruth and Boaz had an interest in each other.

It was common during these times for the parents to set up marriages for their children.

2.) The Motive in the Proposal

“That it may be well with you” was the reason for the plan to have Ruth marry Boaz.

It would mean the removal of:

The reproach of her widowhood

The worry of her immediate needs (food, clothes, shelter)

Her anxieties about the future

3.) The Man for the Proposal

Naomi had only one man in mind for Ruth and that was Boaz

She knew that Ruth was attracted to Him and she knew that Boaz was attracted to her.

There is no question what type of man Boaz was they both knew he was a Godly man and this is the type of person you want to marry your son or daughter.

4.) The Moment for the Proposal

Naomi draws Ruths attention to he fact that Boaz was at the threshing floor that night and that now would be a good time to go to him and start the process for marriage.

He was here because it was cooler during the night and he had to guard the grains that he was threshing.

The Preparation for Rest (vv3-4)

1.) The Cleanliness in the Preparation

Practical

It was hot in Isreal this time of year.

People who are out working in the fields would get sweaty and not smell very good, and because the were in a dry desert climate often would not take a bath for a few days just to save the water.

You Don’t go on a date smelling bad!!

Symbolic

This was also symbolic of her time of morning was over.

Up until this time Ruth was most likely still wearing her black morning clothes.

This is also what it means when it talks about she anointed her self, it was an example like in 2 Sam 12:20 when they told David that his son was dead it says:

2 Samuel 12:20 ESV

Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate.

This was to show that a new time was beginning and that the old was washed away.

She was now ready to move on to a new life and to leave the past in the past.

2.) The Clothes in the Preparation

Even though this is a town in the middle east during the time of summer it could still get cold at night.

The cloak that she put on was big and warm to protect her during the night outside in the elements.

This cloak covered the whole body except the head

the poor used this type of garment at night for cover to keep warm.

3.) The Conduct in the Preparation

Naomi gave Ruth a specific set of steps to follow to show Boaz that she was ready to move on from her time of morning.

1.) Go down to the threshing floor

it was located outside the city walls and close to the fields were they harvested the gains

2.) She was to stay hidden from Boaz until he had finished eating and drinking for the night.

This was a party like atmosphere

Would be what we would call a harvest festival

Boaz and his servants were celebrating the end of the harvest season and resting in the work they had done.

3.) Ruth was to uncover his legs and lay down next to his legs.

This is one of the most debated texts in the Old Testament as to what it truly means

Some people think when it says she uncovered his legs it meant to have a sexual relationship with him. (this is how it is phrased in other parts of the OT)

How ever based off the clear virtue and moral fiber of both Ruth and Boaz this does not fit with the rest of this book.

In this case based of the the Hebrew words used here it is a sign of respect and love.

Ruth pulled up his robe and then laid her cloke over him to protect both him and her from the cold.

This is something that a wife would do for a husband or vise versa

4.) Ruth is to wait and Boaz will tell her what to do next.

The Promise for Rest (vv5-6)

1.) The Sharpness of the Promise

Ruth was not from Isreal he did not know the customs or the traditions for the courtship process.

She would have been wise to listen to Naomi for what to do and how to do it.

2.) The Scope of the Promise

Ruth promised to do all that Naomi had told her to do.

For this plan to work it had to be done just as Naomi told her to do it.

If Ruth had strayed from the plan just a little bit then it would not have worked.

She could have repulsed Boaz rather than attack him.

3.) The Stimulation of the Promise

This whole plan as out of love.

Naomi loved her daughter-in-law and wanted what was best for her and this is why she helped her to court a man that she knew she loved.

Ruth loved Naomi to the point that even though she might not understand the customs of the land she was willing to do what she told her to make a better life for the both of them.

Reflection Questions

1.) What are we willing to do to help those around us?

2.) Are there things in our lives that we need to move on from?

3.) Are there people in our lives that we can learn from to help make us better people?

Benedictions 020 Benediction

BENEDICTION

May the Lord establish you as a holy people to Himself,

May He hover over you as an eagle over its young,

Who spreads its wings and catches them and carries them on its pinions

To the end that you who have put your hope in Christ Jesus would be to the praise of His glory.