Ruth Chapter 3
Reading this chapter, we find that Naomi is somewhat of a matchmaker for her widowed daughter-in-law Ruth. She was, but in a totally acceptable custom of the Hebrew Jews. Naomi wanted to find security for Ruth. The word security also has the meaning of peace. A God ordained marriage would consist of security and peace. A few weeks had gone by because in this chapter the harvest is now on the threshing floor. Ruth had gotten to know the man Boaz a bit and knew that he was a man of good character, and so she did not object to Naomi’s instruction.
Boaz was a known relative, a special kind of relative known as a “goel”. As the goel (sometimes translated kinsman redeemer) for the family, Boaz was responsible as a leader for the extended family. He was responsible to buy a fellow Israelite out of slavery (Leviticus 25:48). He was responsible to be the avenger of blood when a family member was murdered (Number 35:19). He was responsible to buy back family land that had been forfeited (Leviticus 25:25). And he was responsible to carry on the family name by marrying a childless widow (Deuteronomy25:5-10) [Guzik]
Let's Reflect
1. Naomi gave special instructions to Ruth how she should present herself to this kinsman redeemer. She was to wash herself and put on perfume and be fully clothed. Then what peculiar instructions was she given?
2. Naomi knew that Boaz would be protecting his crops from thieves by sleeping on the threshing floor. How did Ruth respond to Naomi’s instructions?
3. These instructions were a Hebrew custom that showed a woman who was willing to be submissive to a potential husband. By resting at his feet, she showed that she was willing to serve him. If the man then placed a part of his robe over the widow, it signified that he was willing to take her in and to care for her and provide that security. Ruth did exactly as her mother-in-law instructed. When did she lie down at the feet of Boaz?
4. My version says that his heart was merry. I do believe this means that he probably had some wine with his meal. The wine would cause him to relax after the day’s work of threshing the crops. At what time of day was it when he was startled to find someone else there in the dark with him?
5. Ruth was quick to give her name and the purpose for her being there. What did she ask Boaz to do?
6. Boaz was impressed by Ruth and this request. He mentioned something to her that would indicate there may have been a bit of an age gap between them. What did he say? See verse 10.
7. Did Boaz agree to become her kinsman redeemer, her husband?
8. Does it say that they had sexual relations that night? Not wanting to cause a stir of gossip, they decided that Ruth should leave early in the morning, and he gave her food to take home as well.
9. When Ruth got home, she told Naomi how things went. And what did Naomi tell Ruth she should do in the meantime?
