Ruth: The Redeemer Has Come - Week 3 (3:1-18)
Ruth 3:1-18
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Ruth 3:1-18
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Ruth 3:1-18 〰️ Ruth 3:1-18 〰️
As we dive into this week's passage in Ruth, we're probably confused or a little shocked at the circumstances we read. As we read Old Testament narratives, we have to remember the original context and even the original language, as it can reveal some things for us that a direct translation doesn't on the surface. Of course, this is not to say that our current translations are bad or wrong, but that we have to spend some time understanding the whole picture before drawing conclusions from our contemporary worldviews. We must remember that several thousands of years and thousands ofmiles separating us today from the time of Ruth and Boaz. With that in mind, I'll give less of an overview of the narrative of this passage and touch more on the contentious and confusing portions of this passage.
v1-7
In the opening portion of chapter 2, after hearing of the kindness (noble character) of Boaz towards Ruth, she instructs Ruth to go to Boaz while he sleeps on the threshing floor. The threshing floor was where barley was winnowed (processed) by tossing it in the air so the wind could blow away the chaff while the heavier seeds would fall to the ground. At night, someone would have to guard the grain from theft, either by animals or people, and this appears to be Boaz's shift.¹ In v3, Naomi instructs Ruth to "wash, put on perfumed oil, and wear [her] best clothes," which is likely to convey to Boaz the end of her mourning her husband's death. Living according to Israel's customs, Ruth is communicating to Boaz that she is ready to remarry. Naomi's instructions to Ruth have often caused some confusion, as, at first, the instructions appear sexual in nature, but if we take a moment to read within the original context, we see the opposite.
Boaz was sleeping on the threshing floor, guarding it from theft. Ruth came and exposed his feet to the cold night air to wake him without alarm. Matthew Henry, biblical scholar and theologian from the 1700's, summarized Naomi's instructions and Ruth's actions like this:
"If the proposed measure had borne the appearance of evil, Naomi would not have advised it. [Hebrew] Law and custom gave Ruth...a legal claim upon Boaz. It was customary for widows to assert this claim, De 25:5–10. But this is not recorded for imitation in other times, and is not to be judged by modern rules. And if there had been any evil in it, Ruth was a woman of too much virtue and too much sense to have listened to it."²
v8-13
Next, we read the conversations between Ruth and Boaz. He asks who she is (because it is dark), and she responds: "I am Ruth, your servant," she replied. "Take me under your wing, for you are a family redeemer." (v9). The phrase "take me under your wing," is a bit of a word-play from Ruth, signaling that she desires Boaz to provide care and protection for her as her redeemer and provider, answering his own prayer for her in 2:12. Boaz then praises Ruth for her noble character, but tells her that there is a redeemer closer in relation than he (likely not that she knew of), and that she should come to him first, but if this mystery suitor doesn't wish to redeem her, even though he should, Boaz would happily marry and redeem her.
v14-18
This chapter concludes with Boaz permitting Ruth to sleep at his feet for her protection, as she would have been vulnerable walking back in the middle of the night. Boaz then tells Ruth, "Don't let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor." v14). The secretive nature of this instruction has often caused worry among readers, but here, we can look towards the New Testament for a comparison:
"The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly." (Matthew 1:18–19). In this passage, Joseph wanted to divorce Mary "secretly." Mary and Joseph were not yet married but engaged, not living or sleeping with one another, but engagement could only be separated by divorce. Joseph wished to divorce Mary in secret to protect her honor and hopefully avoid her public disgrace. Similarly, Boaz wished to do the same. Keeping this event quiet is not to hide something wrong but to protect the woman (the most vulnerable party) from shame or ridicule. Boaz instructed Ruth to leave in the early hours of the morning so there would never be any suspicion of sin. In doing this, Boaz exercises his character by protecting Ruth's reputation as a noble character.
Boaz then sent Ruth home with even more barley to bless her, just as he did in chapter 2. Regardless of whether or not he would benefit or gain anything, Boaz was willing to sacrifice to provide in abundance for Ruth and Naomi. In the same way, Christ plentifully provides for us. Our Lord redeemed us from sin and death and is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). How beautiful is it that we have a Savior who saved us from death and provides for us in abundance?
Discussion Questions
What stood out to you from the passage?
Does anything in this passage remind you of another part of Scripture?
Do you have any questions?
How do you see Jesus in this passage?
After reading this passage, how would you describe Boaz?
In what ways does Boaz honor and bless Ruth in this chapter?
In v15, Boaz gave Ruth extra barley (estimated 8 lbs). Thinking broadly, in what ways has God blessed you in abundance, even if it was unnecessary?
1. Iain M. Duguid, CSB Study Bible: Notes (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 404.
2. Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997), Ru 3:1-7.