Remember the Poor-9

While some stories in the Bible are easy to understand, some are more difficult. The story of Ruth is quite straightforward, but has a few twists and turns which raise questions. Let us try and understand this in light of the nature and character of God and His absolute sovereignty.

Ruth 3:7  When Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she (Ruth) came secretly, and uncovered his feet and lay down. 3:8  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. 

Ruth, under the cover of darkness, waited til Boaz and everyone else was asleep to quietly enter and lay at his feet. This seems so strange, unusual, and even provocatively oriented to our eyes and minds. It would seem that it caught Boaz by surprise as well.

3:9  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." 

Here we seem to gain some insight into this event. Boaz, as a close relative, has a responsibility to cover or care for Ruth. This was symbolized with Ruth laying at his feet covered by his cloak.

3:10  Then he said, "May 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. 3:11  "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 a woman of excellence. 

Boaz knew exactly what he had to do according to what God has commanded in these circumstances. He responded favorably as it would appear that he was older and maybe too old to think of Ruth in these terms.

3:12  "Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 3:13  "Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until morning." 

It would appear that he had researched this or had always known this. Either way he let her stay and promised to act on this request in the morning. He was already acting as her kinsman redeemer.

3:14  So she lay at his feet until morning and rose before one could recognize another; and he said, "Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor." 3:15  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. 

I don’t know if either slept that night, but he did not want her to go home empty handed.

3:16  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. 3:17  She said, "These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, 'Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'" 3:18  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." 

Naomi knew what was to happen next. She also percieved that Boaz was willing to act as her kinsman redeemer. It now appears to all that Naomi’s plan, Ruth’s obedience, and Boaz’s willingness were all coming together.

We need to remember that all this started with Ruth’s willingness to work in the fields gleaning wheat in the sun all day. While this can be seen as a gift from God, we all must obey and do our part in His sovereign plan.

More next Saturday.