Ruth 3 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Ruth 3

Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor

3:1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” 5 And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. 7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! 9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings¹ over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” 10 And he said, “May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. 12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. 13 Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the LORD lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”

14 So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city. 16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her, 17 saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’” 18 She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”

Footnotes

[1] 3:9 Compare 2:12; the word for wings can also mean corners of a garment

Commentary

v1-4: Naomi's unselfish concern for Ruth, seeking security for her. Ruth had first come under Naomi's wing (1.14), then the Lord's (2.12), and now Boaz. This brought safety (Ps 17.8), security (Ps 36.7), fellowship with God (Ex 25.20), and salvation (Matt 23.37). The Lord intends that His people fully enjoy His wings.

In Middle Eastern cultures, the parents had a key role in securing a husband for their daughter; Naomi carried out this role for Ruth.

v5-6: It is indicative of Ruth's love and respect for Naomi that she did exactly what she was told.

v7-9: The evening of revelry, not drunkenness, ended with Boaz sleeping with his workers. Ruth's request (v9) was for marriage (Ezek 16.8). The kinsman-redeemer had a responsibility to raise up children for his dead brother, or close relative. This provision was referred to in Deut 25.5-10; and; Matt 22.24; Luke 20.27-39.

v10-13: Boaz was clearly attracted to Ruth, and was happy to care for her. Yet the law had to be obeyed, and the nearer kinsman had to be approached first. Ruth already had a testimony of being a virtuous woman.

v14: There was proper purity and restraint in their love.

v15: Boaz gave Ruth a load of barley, as a promise of his word. This also is a picture of the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our eternal redemption.

v16:Naomi’s continuing concern.

v17: Boaz' words, that Ruth should not return empty handed; surely the Lord never sends us on our way empty handed.

v18: Ruth left the matter entirely in Boaz' hands, trusting his faithfulness to do what he had said. Further, he would not rest until the matter was settled. Again, picturing Christ, who saves us and keeps us, and completes His work in us (Phil 1.6).