Ruth 3

Boaz Will Redeem Ruth

1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?
2 "Now is not Boaz 1our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight.
3 "Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.
4 "It shall be when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where * he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what you shall do."
5 She said to her, "2All that you say I will do."
6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her.
7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk and 3his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came secretly, and uncovered his feet and lay down.
8 It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
9 He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative."
10 Then he said, "4May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.
11 "Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever * you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are 5a woman of excellence.
12 "Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.
13 "Remain this night, and when morning comes, 6if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, 7as the LORD lives. Lie down until morning."
14 So she lay at his feet until morning and rose before one could recognize another; and he said, "8Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor."
15 Again he said, "Give me the cloak that is on you and hold it." So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.
16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "How did it go, my daughter?" And she told her all that the man had done for her.
17 She said, "These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, 'Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.' "
18 Then she said, "Wait, my daughter, until * you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until * he has settled it today."

Ruth 3 Commentary

Chapter 3

The directions given to Ruth by Naomi. (1-5) Boaz acknowledges the duty of a kinsman. (6-13) Ruth's return to her mother-in-law. (14-18)

Verses 1-5 The married state should be a rest, as much as any thing upon earth can be so, as it ought to fix the affections and form a connexion for life. Therefore it should be engaged in with great seriousness, with earnest prayers for direction, for the blessing of God, and with regard to his precepts. Parents should carefully advise their children in this important concern, that it may be well with them as to their souls. Be it always remembered, That is best for us which is best for our souls. The course Naomi advised appears strange to us; but it was according to the laws and usages of Israel. If the proposed measure had borne the appearance of evil, Naomi would not have advised it. Law and custom gave Ruth, who was now proselyted to the true religion, a legal claim upon Boaz. It was customary for widows to assert this claim, ( Deuteronomy 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.

Verses 6-13 What in one age or nation would be improper, is not always so in another age or another nation. Being a judge of Israel, Boaz would tell Ruth what she should do; also whether he had the right of redemption, and what methods must be taken, and what rites used, in order to accomplishing her marriage with him or another person. The conduct of Boaz calls for the highest praise. He attempted not to take advantage of Ruth; he did not disdain her as a poor, destitute stranger, nor suspect her of any ill intentions. He spoke honourably of her as a virtuous woman, made her a promise, and as soon as the morning arrived, sent her away with a present to her mother-in-law. Boaz made his promise conditional, for there was a kinsman nearer than he, to whom the right of redemption belonged.

Verses 14-18 Ruth had done all that was fit for her to do, she must patiently wait the event. Boaz, having undertaken this matter, would be sure to manage it well. Much more reason have true believers to cast their care on God, because he has promised to care for them. Our strength is to sit still, ( Isaiah 30:7 ) . This narrative may encourage us to lay ourselves by faith at the feet of Christ: He is our near Kinsman; having taken our nature upon him. He has the right to redeem. Let us seek to receive from him his directions: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? ( Acts 9:6 ) . He will never blame us as doing this unseasonably. And let us earnestly desire and seek the same rest for our children and friends, that it may be well with them also.

Cross References 8

  • 1. Deuteronomy 25:5-10
  • 2. Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20
  • 3. Judges 19:6, 9; 2 Samuel 13:28; 1 Kings 21:7; Esther 1:10
  • 4. Ruth 2:20
  • 5. Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 31:10
  • 6. Deuteronomy 25:5; Matthew 22:24
  • 7. Judges 8:19; Jeremiah 4:2; Jeremiah 12:16
  • 8. Romans 14:16; 2 Corinthians 8:21

Footnotes 15

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO RUTH 3

In this chapter we have a proposal of Naomi to Ruth, with advice and directions to get Boaz for her husband, Ru 2:1-4. Ruth's obedience to the instructions she gave her, Ru 2:5-7, the notice Boaz took of her, and the conversation that passed between them, Ru 2:8-13 the dismission of her in the morning to her mother-in-law with a gift, to whom she returned, and acquainted her with what had passed, Ru 2:14-18.

Ruth 3 Commentaries

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