Ruth 3:14-18

“No More Empty-Handedness”

By Pastor Rich Paradis

Ruth 3:14-18

As chapter 3 comes to a close, we have seen Naomi propose a plan with all of its details to Ruth. That plan was within the appropriateness of God’s law and cultural practice. That plan had inherent risk to it in that the obedience of Ruth to the details and the obedience of Boaz to the request of Ruth and the call of God would either make or break the plan. The initial encounter of Ruth and Boaz has gone just as Naomi would have hoped. But how would the plan move forward? Let’s look at the text and see what happens and how God works His plans out for all of the people involved…

I.                 Morning Arrives    Ruth 3:14-15

a.      As this paragraph opens, one has to ask how long this night must have seemed! From Verse 8 until now could not have been more than a handful of hours, perhaps six at most, but they had to be very long hours as neither Ruth nor Boaz probably slept very much. All that has already happened and all that is in the very near future probably filled their minds to the point where sleeping was probably a lesser priority at this point.

b.     With the very first of light, before someone could even be recognized, Ruth and Boaz proceed to the next portion of the day’s plans. Verse 14 reveals not only the time of day, but also Boaz’ thoughts as the day is entered. He says that no one should know that she has spent the night alongside of Boaz. Why would he say this? The cross references in my Bible offer some interesting things to think through. Both Romans 14:16 and 2 Corinthians 8:21 speak of perception and its power to destroy both truth and reputation. What Boaz is saying is that allowing people to know that “don’t know” will give opportunity to all kinds of wrongful speculation and perceptions. Remember, Ruth and Boaz are not hiding sin, they are not allowing people to fill in unknown “gaps” with information that is damaging and inaccurate.

c.      The next verse offers some important insight to the fact that at this point in the story Boaz has strong feelings for Ruth and desires to share those feelings in an appropriate way until the matter of who shall be the kinsman redeemer is settled. Verse 15 has Boaz taking the opportunity to go far beyond the law to demonstrate both provision and grace to both Ruth and Naomi. Note the “again” as this verse begins. This is not the first time, nor does he hope it will be the last time that he will be able to provide for Ruth and Naomi. He tells Ruth to hand over her cloak and to hold on to the other side. He is getting ready to fill it with “6 measures” of barley. The exact amount given here is difficult to discern, but it is a large amount and will take care of the two women for a good amount of days.

d.     The conclusion of the verse has Ruth headed back toward the city. Can you even imagine all that is going on inside of her head?

II.               No More Empty-Handedness    Ruth 3:16-18

a.      We do not know the distance that Ruth carried the barley grain back to town, but I’ll bet the trip and the load was full of excitement and expectations. Verse 16 tells us that Ruth arrived at home and immediately approached her mother-in-law Naomi. The next question has drawn some interesting comments over the years. The question is literally, “who are you, my daughter?” why would she ask that question? What she is asking is, “are you still Ruth the Moabitess or are you Mrs. Boaz?” Ruth does not yet have the answer to that question, but she does begin telling Naomi of all that has happened and what Boaz has done for them.

b.     The next verse is beautiful and full of meaning. Verse 17 has Ruth reporting to Naomi that Boaz has given them the six measures of barley for their usage in the near future. But then she reveals that Boaz told her that she will not be going home empty-handed to her mother-in-law. WOW! Back in Ruth 1:21, we had Naomi report to the women of the city that she had left Bethlehem full (interesting report as they left because of a famine) and the Lord brought her back empty. Now Boaz is filling that emptiness with fullness! In fact, the idea here is that not only is he going to take care of the immediate need with the six measures of barley, but someone (either Boaz or the closer relative) is going to take care of them for the rest of their lives!

c.      There is a wonderful affirmation of the character of Boaz in Verse 18. The verse ends with the idea that Boaz will not rest until there is resolution that can be reported to these two women as their future care-giver and Ruth’s husband. But the first word out of Naomi’s mouth is the action word in this sentence. What is that action? WAIT! There is nothing else that the two women can do. They must wait on the character of Boaz and the provision of God. The applications are endless for us, aren’t they?

III.             An Application For All Of Us

a.      Do not allow empty talk to damage the reputations of the innocent.

b.     God’s provision as seen in Boaz’ gift is far beyond anything that the Law can provide.

c.      The obedience of one of God’s children will result in provision and care from God Himself.

d.     To wait is perhaps one of the greatest demonstrations of faith that a believer can accomplish.

Ruth 3:6-13

“Ruth and Boaz Demonstrate Obedience”

By Pastor Rich Paradis

Ruth 3:6-13

The scene now moves from the home of Naomi and Ruth to the threshing floor where Boaz is working. We are now about to see the obedience of Ruth to her mother-in-law Naomi as she goes and does exactly as she was instructed. But we will also see obedience in the life of Boaz. He is a man of great character and means. He will also be obedient to not only responding to need, but also to responding to the law of God as delivered to His people, the Jews. Let’s see how the story continues…

  

I.                 Ruth’s Obedience to Naomi    Ruth 3:6-9

a.      We have often heard and even uttered the promise of obedience, but as Verse 6 opens we see Ruth make good on her promise. She not only tells Naomi that she will do exactly as she said, she now proceeds to the threshing floor to do just that. Again, we are see the character of Ruth displayed in daily living. And the text does not say that she went and partially obeyed. It says that she went and “did according to all” that was told to her by her mother-in-law.

b.     Remember that the threshing floor is a flat place where the grain is separated from the chaff. Boaz is there to take his turn at the task of guarding the grain from robbers and to continue the work of preparing it for sale and trade. This place could be nothing more than a flat spot of rock on the hilly terrain, or it may be an open air spot that was prepared for all of the neighbors to use as a community spot to prepare grain. But the point is that the place was up at a level where the cool evening breezes could be felt and could help the winnowing process of blowing the chaff away from the thrown or beaten grain. It was hard work and would weary even the hardiest of workman as the evening went along.

c.      With the conclusion of the work for the evening, Verse 7 tells us that Boaz was tired and hungry from the work that he had accomplished. He sits down and has a meal and drinks his fill before lying down for some much needed rest. We should not take the word “merry” to mean that Boaz was drunk as this scene unfolds. The word means “happy and satisfied”.  He has worked hard. He has now eaten and drank his fill and he goes to lie down in the only bedding available at a threshing floor. There is always a heap of grain, either processed or soon to be processed, where a weary workman can lie down for some rest. He will sleep at the end of the pile, thus receiving the comfort it affords and also protecting it.

d.     Ruth noted where he was going to lie down and now she approaches him as was told her by Naomi. We are not to see this scene through the modern lens of a woman seducing a man for her intended purposes. We have far too much information thus far regarding both the character of both Ruth and Boaz to take this route of interpretation. She has bathed, put on perfume, gone to the threshing floor, and waited until he has laid down to rest. Now she will continue her obedience to Naomi’s instruction by quietly approaching him, uncovering his feet and lying down.

e.      There seems to be a time break between verses 7 and 8. We do not know when Ruth arrived at the threshing floor, or when Boaz laid down to rest, but we now have a time marker of the “middle of the night”. Verse 8 tells the story as Ruth has lain down near the feet of Boaz for some unknown amount of time and now he wakes up for an unknown reason. Whether his feet are cold, or he has woken up and not had full movement, we do not know. But we do know that he wakes up and was startled. You think!? He twists himself around and discovers that there is a woman lying at his feet. Hardly something that you’d expect at the workplace on the midnight shift!

f.      Boaz wastes no time in asking the most obvious question available. Verse 9 tells us that he asks, “Who are you? Ruth is now going to speak for the first time since her commitment to obey Naomi back at the house. She answers, “I am Ruth your maid.” She does not tell him that she is “Ruth, the  Moabitess”. She replies that she is “Ruth, his maid-servant”. Ruth has moved from her previous introduction of herself to an introduction that will speak to her need and her recognition of Boaz and his position in her life.

g.     Ruth continues this discussion under poor lighting by saying that in light of the fact of who she is and who he is, he can “spread his covering over her”. What does this mean? Ruth is in effect requesting that Boaz marry her and provide the security and care for her that Naomi desired when she sent Ruth to this encounter. Why should he do this? Because his is a “close relative”. He is a relative that can possibly serve as the “go-el”, the kinsman redeemer, for Ruth going forward.

h.     There is also some wonderful language that needs to be noted as we consider the greater theological applications of the book for Ruth. If we consider the language of Ruth 2:12, we see that Boaz responded to Ruth’s care of Naomi by asking God to bless her because of this care afforded Naomi and the fact that Ruth had come under the “wings of the God of Israel” for protection. That word “wings” is the same word that we now see as “covering” or “garment” in the verse before us.

II.               Boaz’s Response to Ruth and to God    Ruth 3:10-13

a.      Boaz now responds to all of the actions and words of Ruth as Verse 10 opens up. He pronounces a blessing on her and recognizes again the age differential by noting that she is “his daughter” and that she could have well looked for a husband from the younger men of the community. Boaz notes the kindness and the surprise of her choice (he knows exactly what she has asked of him) by saying that the choice and kindness of her care for Naomi has only been surpassed by the current choice of him as the one to care and support her.

b.     As we think through this entire meeting, we are reminded again that this could have been a potentially humiliating situation had Boaz not received her request and considered it. As Verse 11 tells us, Boaz reassures what must have been a very uneasy young woman by telling her that he will do “whatever you ask”. And why would he do that? Because everyone knows that she is a “woman of excellence”.

c.      But there is a challenge to all that is before them. Verse 12 tells us that while Boaz is a “close relative”, there is one “closer” than he is. While we do not know the exact connection of Boaz to the family, we do know that the order of levirate marriage is that the closest male relative is to have the primary responsibility to care for a widow.

d.     But Boaz is committed to seeing that Ruth receive the care that she needs. He tells her to stay the night, and in the morning it will be found out if this man will fulfill his duty going forward. Boaz does love Ruth, but his primary concern at this point is her care. He will be heartbroken, but he must comply with the law of God as a man of God. But Verse 13 concludes with a vow. Boaz demonstrates his love and his understanding of the needs of this young woman. “As the Lord lives” is a sacred vow that he now makes to Ruth to see to it that she is cared for going forward. If the closer relative will not redeem her, than he will!

III.             An Application For All Of Us

a.      Both Ruth and Boaz are people of character and conviction. And God sees to it that “His wings” cover over these kinds of people, even during the most difficult times.

Ruth 3:1-5

“After Mourning Comes Movement”

By Pastor Rich Paradis

Ruth 3:1-5

With two chapters of Ruth in the rearview mirror, we now come to a place with lots of initial application. After the deaths of their husbands, and Naomi’s sons, and a time of grief and mourning along with eking out a living, we saw at the end of our previous chapter a ray of hope. The man Boaz has provided for both Naomi and for Ruth and the hope that was dashed against the rocks of hard living is now restored. So what should be done after a time of mourning? It’s time to “move forward”, not forgetting what has happened but remembering the provision of God for the day and for the future.

I.                 Moving Forward Involves Right Attitude    Ruth 3:1

a.      In the space of about an eighth of an inch in your Bible, the space between chapters 2 and 3, we have another scene opening up in this incredible story. We are not offered much of a time marker as Verse 1 opens up, but we are merely given the word “then”. I believe that this “then” is “when” God helped her to realize that it was time to move forward.

b.     Naomi’s hope has been restored in the provision of God. He has provided a hope in the person of Boaz, a near relative. Naomi has moved from a time of mourning and despair (1:20-21) to a place of hope. So what will she do? We’ll see that in a moment, but let’s consider the attitude of Naomi. The God that she thought had it in for her has provided for her and for her “daughter” Ruth.

                                                    i.     Has God ever provided for you?

                                                  ii.     Do you remember it?

                                                iii.     How do you remember it?

c.      Some of us remember the provision of God by wondering why He didn’t come in the way that we thought He should! We will never forget the pains that life can sometimes bring us, but we can remember the provision of God with forward movement in faith. Remember Habakkuk 2:4? It says that the “just shall live by faith”. Not wondering why He didn’t do more or sooner, but remembering that His timing and His provision are right and at the right time.

d.     So what does she do? Naomi takes a look at her beloved Ruth and takes the focus off of herself. The question that she asks her has lots of interesting insight. The questions that Naomi asked in 1:10-13 now are being answered for Ruth in the man Boaz. Naomi’s desire is for “rest” or “security” or a “home” for Ruth. The idea is in the word in Hebrew. The very word “manoh” means a place of quiet, a settling spot, a home.

e.      Naomi’s desire for Ruth was a home, which implied a husband and provision. The time had come for Naomi to put together a plan that was not at all scheming, but completely within the law and provision of God.

f.      Do you pray for and act toward these things for those that you love?

II.               Moving Forward Involves Right Actions    Ruth 3:2-5

a.      With the question of “shall I not…” from verse 1 in mind, Naomi reminds Ruth of the potential answer to the question. Boaz is a near relative, a family member, and a possible provision for Deuteronomy 25:5-10. She hardly has to remind Ruth of this man, but she does here in Verse 2 with a piece of information that will begin the plan to consider him as the answer to both a home and a husband for Ruth.

b.     Boaz will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor tonight is the first piece of information passed along to Ruth. Why such a well-to-do man is doing this work is sometimes questioned. That can be answered as simply as he is there working instead of asking one of his trusted servants to do it, revealing the kindness mentioned before. Someone will need to be here to guard the grain from thieves, and he is on duty tonight. Again we are faced with the providence of God in all of this. We can simply say that coincidence brings him here, or the hand of God has him there. It is also sometime thought that the time that has passed is the two months between the start of the barley season and completion of the wheat season. I don’t tend toward that timeline in that Boaz is winnowing barley at the threshing floor. Thus my contention that the “then” of verse 1 is when she realized that it was time to move forward.

c.      A threshing floor sounds like a very intricate apparatus, but it could be simply a flat place of either rock or packed earth  where the barley or other grain could be winnowed, or thrown into the air allowing the evening breezes to separate the grain from the chaff.

d.     Naomi continues her information and instruction to Ruth in Verse 3. She tells her to wash herself, something that although the need was constant in the environment that they lived was impossible regularly because of water shortages or unavailability. She was also to “anoint” herself, for put on some perfume to make herself smell good. And finally she was to not make herself known until the end of the evening after dinner.

e.      We need to resist the temptation to see Naomi as a matchmaker of some kind. She has merely seen the activities of God and Boaz and began to see that in this man might be a fulfillment of the need that Ruth has if she is to have a future of provision and rest.

f.      The instruction continues in Verse 4. Naomi instructs Ruth that eventually Boaz will finish his meal and will lay down to rest. She is to notice where he lies down, and go there. Additional instruction is given as she is told to uncover his feet and lie down. This is not some woman throwing herself at a man. It is a woman placing and submitting herself to one that she knows can offer provision and a future to her.

g.     The last phrase of this verse is interesting. It says that “he will tell you what you shall do”. In other words, he will not be some shocked old man that finds himself with a young woman lying at his feet. Instead, after briefly being startled and identifying the young lady he will completely understand this as part of a request based on the very law that God set up to provide for her going forward. There are others (Verse 10) that would be interested in Ruth surely, but none of them could serve as this kinsman redeemer.

h.     And the paragraph ends with words that we long for from all of our children when we give them instruction based on the word and provision of God. Verse 5 tells us that Ruth replied that she would do all that Naomi had told her to do. In a way that reminds us of Ephesians 6:1 and Colossians 3:20, we have a daughter obeying her parent which is something that our Lord loves to see. Ruth trusts Naomi and follows her instruction to a situation that could have been embarrassing or even humiliating. Naomi trusted God with the plan that she was offering her beloved daughter.

III.             An Application For All Of Us

a.      God is at work, not only in the circumstances of life, but also in shaping the attitudes of life.

b.     A time of deep mourning can lead to a time of again following God and moving forward.

c.      Careful adherence to the provision of God through a trusted person of God is a right choice toward forward movement for God.