Read: Ruth 3:1-13 NLT – Ruth at the Threshing Floor – One day – Bible Gateway
“One day Naomi said to Ruth, ‘My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for.’” Ruth 3:1 NLT
Chapter 3 of the book of Ruth begins with Naomi fulfilling an obligation to find security in marriage for Ruth. In chapter 1 as both Ruth and her sister-in-law were going to Bethlehem with Naomi, Naomi encouraged them to back to their home and find security, “May the LORD bless you with the security of another marriage.” (Ruth 1:9 nlt) Ruth’s sister-in-law went back but Ruth promised to stay with Naomi and go to Bethlehem. Naomi now says to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for.” (Ruth 3:1 nlt) The stage is set.
Boaz had proven he was a protector of Ruth in caring for her while she was working in his fields. The levirate custom of marriage is in play here. One who is considered a redeemer, a close relative, would protect a family in need as well as marrying the widow of the deceased to continue the family name. It would make sense to approach Boaz because of his past deeds and concern for Ruth and Naomi. Although Boaz was indeed one of their closest relatives there was one closer, but it made perfect sense to consider Boaz.
Naomi instructs Ruth to get dressed in her finest clothes, put on perfume as if preparing for a wedding, which was the case. She tells her to go to the threshing floor. The harvest season is ending, the final threshing is being done, and the grain is being stockpiled. Ruth is told to not make herself known but to notice where Boaz lays himself down after the festive meal. Boaz, as other landowners, would sleep nearby their harvest until they are secured to prevent robbery during the night.
Ruth is to wait for this moment of opportunity seeing where he lays down and go uncover his feet. “So she went down to the threshing floor that night and followed the instructions of her mother-in-law.” (Ruth 3:6 nlt) This may seemed a little strange in our time, even look and sound like immorally, but Naomi and Ruth had nothing but the purist of motives. Scripture says after Boaz finished eating and drinking after the exhausting day he laid down on the grain and fell asleep. Then Ruth went and uncovered his feet and laid down herself. One thought as to why Ruth uncover his feet is this; think of yourself when part of covers during the night move away from you, you feel it and wake up. Boaz felt the cool breeze and woke up and found a woman lying at his feet. ‘“Who are you?’ he asked. ‘I am your servant Ruth,’ she replied. ‘Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.”’ (Ruth 1:9 nlt)
The spreading of a garment over a woman was a token of marriage. Some still practice this today in the Arab world. Ruth was actually proposing marriage to Boaz through the Levirate custom. She identifies herself as a humble servant and simply relates to the fact she is widow and asks Boaz to marry her. Yes, strange in our day, but acceptable and proper during that time. Boaz being a redeemer relative could have asked her, but he was a generation older than Ruth and would not have done that. Boaz commends her for her action and loyalty. She did not go after younger men, or refused to marry again into the family, but chose to do what was right and honoring to the God she now serves, the Lord God.
Boaz assures Ruth of his intentions and would do what she asks for. He knows of the good reputation she has among others and he has seen it for himself. Unfortunately there is an important piece of business that must be done for the matter to be right. “Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. But while it is true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am.” (Ruth 3:11-12 nlt) The very closes relative in the family is the one to redeem. We do not know Boaz’s relation to Naomi’s husband exactly. It is thought Elimelech was Boaz’s uncle. The closer relative to Naomi may be another one of Elimelech’s brothers or Boaz’s older brother. Boaz wants to be sure to do it the right way.
Boaz says he would take of this the first thing in the morning. He tells her to stay until morning. (at his feet, there is nothing immoral here, remember Ruth has nothing but the purist motives) If the other relative agrees to marry her, Ruth should do so, but if not, Boaz promises to redeem and marry her ‘as surely as the Lord lives,’ the strongest vow an Israelite can make. Next week the matter is settled.
