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Verses 1-2: In the ANE, the city gate is where public civil and legal matters were dealt with. The elders of the city, as well as other men of the community, would gather there regularly, and Boaz wastes no time in getting to Bethlehem’s gate the morning after his encounter with Ruth on the threshing floor. (v.1) As soon as he spies his older brother passing by, Boaz calls to him and tells him to have a seat. Boaz also summons ten of the city elders to serve as judge and witness to this legal matter. (v.2) Jews today have a rule of ten, known as the “minyan”, or quorum, which requires a minimum of ten men for congregational prayer and other important religious ceremonies, according to the Moody Bible Commentary. This passage here in Ruth, as well as others in the OT (Genesis 18:32, 42:3, Numbers 14:27) is the source of that tradition. (The two from Genesis make sense, but that reference from Numbers regarding the ten spies that turned the nation against God seems contradictory to the first two references. Why would today’s Jews want to honor and recognize ten disobedient and rebellious men?)
Verses 3-12: Notice that Boaz doesn’t start the conversation by talking about Ruth. Instead, he informs his brother about the land that was inherited by Naomi that belonged to Elimelech. (v.3) Boaz’s brother has first choice to redeem the land because he’s older than Boaz and, thus, first in the line of succession of inheritance according to the law of Moses. (v.4) The brother readily agrees. Only then does Boaz tell him that he must also inherit the daughter-in-law of Elimelech as part of the deal. (v.5) This, too, is a requirement of the inheritance law, and Boaz makes a specific point of referring to Ruth’s foreign bloodline when quoting that portion of the law. Now his brother is in awkward position, especially in the presence of the ten elders and the others gathered at the gate to witness this transaction. He wants the land, but he’s unwilling to pollute his bloodline with a non-Israelite. (v.6) He is, in other words, racist! He tells Boaz to redeem the inheritance for himself. Boaz, of course, immediately agrees to this, and his brother removes one of his shoes and gives it to Boaz. (v.7-8) As verse 7 explains, this was a tradition derived from the Mosaic Law, a sign and symbol of sealing a deal between men, similar to our ritual today of a handshake. Boaz accepts the shoe and turns to the elders and witnesses, calling on them to confirm this this transaction, according to the law of Moses. (v.9) He is the legal heir and owner of all that belonged to Elimelech and his sons, and that includes taking Ruth as his wife. (v.10) Boaz again quotes the law here, and the elders and other witnesses all confirm it. (v.11) The elders also perform a blessing, calling upon the LORD to “…make the woman that is to come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel…”. (v.11) They also mention Pharez, the son of Tamar who was the daughter-in-law of Judah. Boaz and Elimelech are direct descendants of Pharez. (v.18, 21) Verses 13-17: Ruth was married to Mahlon for ten years, yet they had no children. This, too, was all in God’s plan. Verse 13 makes it clear that God has sovereign control over all of His creation, including that moment of conception. It’s the LORD that now opens Ruth’s womb, and she gives birth to a son, Obed. (v.13, 17) Both Naomi and Ruth are richly rewarded for trusting God, and for waiting on Him and His timing. (v.14-15) In a patriarchal society and culture, it’s the sons that carry on the family name as well as provide for, care for, and protect their families. Thus, the women of Bethlehem celebrate and bless Naomi for all that God has given to her in her old age. She and Ruth will be sheltered, protected, and provided for for the rest of their days! Naomi, in turn, becomes a nursemaid to her grandson, as was often the case in the cultures of the ANE. (v.16) It doesn’t mean that she literally nurses the child, but is instead more of a guardian, helper, and teacher. Verses 18-22: Like Naomi and Ruth, Boaz is also greatly blessed and rewarded for his faithfulness to the LORD. Because he waited for God’s timing, Boaz secures a place in the genealogy of the Messiah. There is no higher honor in scripture than to be named in the lineage of Christ, and both Boaz and Ruth have the additional honor of being great grandparents to King David, a man after God’s own heart. Among the many spiritual and allegorical applications of this account of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz is the picture of Jesus Christ and His bride, the church. We who are gentiles, who are not of the seed and blood of Israel, God’s chosen people, are still grafted into that vine by our marriage to Christ, the perfect and holy bridegroom. He is our kinsman redeemer, but only to those who, like Ruth, are willing to forsake all and believe on Him in faith alone. Ruth left her old life behind for a new life in a promised land that she knew nothing about. And so it is for the believer today. At the moment of salvation we are transformed into new creatures in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17) The old life is passed away, and the new life begins, born again by the blood of Jesus Christ! Ruth was greatly rewarded and blessed for her faith, and the same holds true for us today. If we put all our faith and trust in God, submitting humbly to His divine will and plan for our lives, and wait patiently on His timing, He will never leave us destitute and poor. He desires nothing but good for His children. Just as Boaz loved, sheltered, cared for, provided for, and protected Ruth, so God does the same for those whom He loves and who has accepted the redeeming work of the precious blood shed by His only begotten son on the cross at Calvary. Boaz and Ruth is also a simple and beautiful love story, an ideal picture of what God intended for marriage between a man and woman to be. Boaz is the masculine protector, defender, and provider for his wife and children, and Ruth is the feminine submissive, loving wife who honors, cherishes and obeys her husband whom God has given to her. (1 Peter 3:5-6) Boaz loves and cherishes Ruth, honoring her as the “…weaker vessel…”. (1 Peter 3:7) While all of that is not explicitly described on the page, we can clearly see it between the lines when we connect this account with other passages of scripture that describe God’s desire and plan for marriage. (Genesis 2:23-25, Proverbs 31:10-12, Ephesians 5:22-28) Boaz and Ruth found true, lasting love and happiness together because they each surrendered to God and waited on Him and His timing. And then, after committing to one another in God-honoring, biblical marriage, they each willingly fulfilled the roles every day that God created for man and woman within that holy union. When we choose to follow God’s design instead of our own selfish, prideful desires, we will experience that same joy, happiness, and spiritual fulfillment that Boaz and Ruth display here. Scripture is replete with examples of the consequences of not obeying God and surrendering to His will, but it also gives us just as many accounts of the opposite. The love story of Boaz and Ruth, as well as the account of the faith of Naomi, is a perfect example of what God desires for all His children, especially for those who also long to fulfill His command in Genesis 1:28.
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Verses 1-6: At the end of the harvest, when it’s time to thresh the grain, Naomi counsels Ruth on the best way to make her desire of marriage known to Boaz. It’s not clear from the text here or in chapter 2 whether or not Boaz knew ahead of time that Ruth was married to Elimelech’s son. It is clear from chapter 2 that Ruth had caught his eye, but from the scene that takes place here in chapter 3, it’s logical to conclude that Boaz was either not fully aware of his connection to Ruth or he was not certain of her desire for him. Either way, some guidance and encouragement from Naomi was needed to get the ball rolling.
Naomi tells Ruth where to find Boaz (v.2) and instructs her to wash and anoint herself, and then put on her best clothes. (v.3) The word “anoint” here means to put on perfume. By doing all of this, Boaz will see right away Ruth’s desire and intentions, and he will tell her what she needs to do. (v.4) Because she recognizes God’s divine plan and His will for both her and Ruth (Ruth 2:20), Naomi’s counsel to Ruth is wise and proper. Ruth readily agrees and obeys all of Naomi’s instructions, demonstrating once again her godly character. (v.5-6) Verses 7-18: Ruth finds Boaz exactly where Naomi said he would be. She comes to him after dark, when he is alone, so as not to be seen by others and thus creating gossip and scandal in the community. After Boaz has fallen asleep, Ruth uncovers his feet, and this causes him to awaken in the middle of the night. (v.7-8) It was not uncommon in the ANE for the men threshing the grain to sleep on or near the threshing floor, which was often drafty and cold at night. It’s akin to someone today sleeping in a barn. Thus, uncovering Boaz’s feet would cause him to get a chill and this would wake him. Because it's dark, Boaz sees only the shadow of someone at his feet, and so he asks, “Who art thou?” (v.9) Ruth once again introduces herself, and then says to him exactly what Naomi instructed her: “…spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.” The phrasing of Ruth’s request reflects Boaz’s words to her at their first meeting: “…the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” (Ruth 2:12) She is presenting herself to Boaz in a demonstration of humility and respect, thus giving him the opportunity to fulfill his role as her protector and provider. And, as predicted by Naomi, Boaz takes the lead, blessing Ruth once more. (v.10) The phrase “…thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich…” means that Boaz recognizes Ruth’s desire for not just any husband. She desires a godly one who will fulfill his God-given role as her protector and provider and love her as the Lord loves His chosen people. Boaz promises Ruth that he “…will do to thee all that thou requirest…”, while also acknowledging her reputation among his people in the short time that she’s been living in Bethlehem. “…thou art a virtuous woman…” (v.11) That, combined with the phrase at the end of verse 10, indicates once more the quality of Ruth’s character. Boaz recognizes this, and it makes her all the more desirable to him. Perhaps he has remained unmarried until now because of the lack within Israel at this time of genuine godly women like Ruth; women who recognize their God-given role as a help meet for their husbands and are willing to submit to his authority, protection, and love. Boaz then reveals that there is another man who is closer in relation to Ruth than he. (v.12) He tells Ruth to wait until the following day when Boaz can discuss this matter with that other kinsman. If he is willing to accept his role as her kinsman redeemer in accordance with the law of Moses, then so be it. (v.13) But if not, then Boaz will happily fulfill that role. This, too, demonstrates the quality of Boaz’s character. He recognizes the authority of God and the law, and he won’t sacrifice that obedience just to fulfill his own desire. This shows a man who exercises self control and has his priorities in proper order. At Boaz’s urging, Ruth sleeps at his feet for the rest of the night but awakes early enough so that she can slip out without being seen by anyone else so as not to create gossip and scandal in the community. (v.14) Before she goes, however, Boaz gives Ruth six measures of barley to take with her. (v.15) Ruth and Naomi already had plenty from Ruth’s gleaning of the harvest as well as the sheaves that Boaz had ordered his men to leave behind for her. This barley was a gift above and beyond that bounty, demonstrating to both women Boaz’s worth as a man of God and kinsman redeemer for Ruth! When Ruth tells Naomi of what happened and shows her the gift of the barley, Naomi gives another vital piece of godly wisdom: “…Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall…”. (v.18) She assures Ruth, who is probably anxious and a little worried about the news that Boaz is not the closest kin to her, that Boaz “…will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.” Waiting upon God and His timing is one of the hardest and most difficult things for a believer to do. Our natural inclination to act immediately, lest the opportunity pass and we forfeit what we believe is something for our benefit. Anytime there’s a crisis, or a problem, or a situation, our first desire is an immediate solution that will resolve that problem or issue and, thus, give us peace of mind. But so often in our lives, we are asked by God, “Sit still, my child, until you see how I will work this out for you.” And, also quite often, that period of sitting still and waiting can last for far longer than just a few days, or weeks, or months. Sometimes it is even years until we see the results of that situation that God led us through for our own good and blessing. For Ruth, it was only a day, but it’s easy to imagine how hard it was for her to sit for that day and wait for the news from Boaz. She desired him, not some other stranger, but what if that other kinsman chose to take her as his wife? What was he like? Was he a godly man? Would he love her Boaz did? Ruth had no doubt heard of the wicked men of Israel who did not love their wives as they should. After all, this was a period of Israel’s history that was rampant with all manner of sin, including sexual immorality and divorce. Women of this time were particularly vulnerable to all kinds of abuse and neglect, and Ruth would have naturally been terrified at the prospect of marrying a man she had most likely never met or knew anything about. Boaz, too, was waiting. Though the text never states how long, we can safely presume he had never married. It was custom for this period in the ANE for men to be married before the age of twenty, and it’s very likely Boaz was already in his mid or late twenties, or perhaps even early thirties! No doubt there had been whispers and gossip in the community about this fact, and Boaz was probably tempted many times to either commit adultery or just select one of the young women of Bethlehem for a wife just so that he wouldn’t be alone any longer. He was, after all, quite wealthy and, thus, a man of great power and influence in Bethlehem. He had his pick of any number of the eligible young ladies, and they, no doubt, desired him. But Boaz had faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Even in a time of great apostasy and rampant sin among his fellow Israelites, Boaz chose to obey God and remain faithful to the Mosaic Law. His faith quietly told him to just wait. He had no real desire for any of the young women of Bethlehem, and there were probably many nights of great loneliness for him where he wondered what was wrong with him, or if God had forgotten him altogether? Yet still he waited. His faith was greater than his doubt, and then one day he saw a young maiden in his field, gleaning alongside the other maidens and workers. Ruth has the same faith as Boaz, faith in the God of Israel, and she heeds Naomi’s counsel. How different would this story have been if Ruth or Naomi had not obeyed God and patiently waited for Boaz? What if Boaz had settled for one of the women of Bethlehem, a maiden of his own people instead of a foreigner? How many of God’s blessings have we forfeited because we thought we knew better than God and needed to act immediately instead of waiting on Him? So often in our daily lives, the best exercise of faith is to “Be still, and know that I am God…”. (Psalm 46:10) Both Ruth and Boaz are still, but now Boaz realizes why he has been waiting for all these years. Like Naomi, he recognizes the hand of God at work, and that his time of waiting is over. Verse 1: Chapter 2 introduces the kinsman of Elimelech, Boaz, a man of great wealth and status among the people of Judah and Bethlehem. The term “kinsman” in this verse means that Boaz is a close relative of Elimelech, probably his brother, though the text doesn’t say so specifically. What is clear from the use of this term is that Boaz, per Mosaic Law, is eligible to redeem that which belonged to Elimelech – whether it be land, possessions, or the widow of his son. (Leviticus 25:25, Deuteronomy 25:5-6)
Verses 2-3: More of Ruth’s character is revealed here. Though she is a stranger in a strange land, she does not hesitate to go to work in order to provide for herself and Naomi. (v.2) Gleaning of the annual harvests was guaranteed by the Mosaic Law, and so Ruth arrives, by God’s providence, at the portion of the field belonging to Boaz. (v.3) (Leviticus 19:9-10, 23:22, Deuteronomy 24:19) The phrase “…after Him in Whose sight I shall find grace…” (v.2) is another expression of Ruth’s budding faith and belief in the God of Naomi and her people. Ruth has no doubt been instructed by Naomi on the Mosaic Law and the providence of God, hence her willingness to go glean in the harvest fields. Ruth demonstrates humility and obedience, both to God and her elder, Naomi, which are two key characteristics of a godly woman. Verses 4-17: Boaz, coming to inspect his field and the progress of the harvest, sees Ruth for the first time. The other workers fill him in on who she is and where she came from. (v.4-7) Boaz introduces himself to Ruth and instructs her not to go gleaning in any other field except his. (v.8) He tells her to stay with the other maidens, following his reapers until the end of the harvest. (v.9, 21) When she is thirsty she is free to drink of the water provided for the men and the other maidens. (v.9) Ruth’s response is another indicator of her godly character. (v.10) She marvels at Boaz’s grace and mercy, questioning why he would show such great favor to a stranger, especially one who is not even an Israelite. She is unaware of Boaz’s relation to her late husband, and that’s why she’s so surprised and humbled by Boaz’s kindness. Boaz’s kindness to Ruth, as well as his response to her in verses 10-11, reveal a godly character that perfectly complements Ruth’s. Boaz shows himself to be a true and obedient servant of the LORD, demonstrating both the letter and the spirit of the Mosaic Law. He is impressed with Ruth’s industriousness and willingness to help provide for Naomi, as well as her bravery in leaving her homeland to come dwell among an unfamiliar people. Verse 12 is a blessing, in which Boaz recognizes his own ability to give shelter and provision to someone in need, just as the LORD God of Israel has sheltered and provided for His chosen people. It’s also likely that Boaz is aware of his familial connection to Naomi and Ruth, and thus he’s even more inclined to show kindness and mercy to her in obeying the law of Moses. Ruth is again humbled and overwhelmed by Boaz’s kindness, and she emphasizes once more the fact that she’s “…not like unto one of thine handmaidens.” (v.13) Ruth is still amazed that Boaz would show such generosity to a stranger and foreigner. But Boaz goes even further by inviting her to dine with the other reapers, and he gives her more than just bread and water. (v.14) After the meal, when Ruth has returned to the field to continue gleaning, Boaz instructs the reapers to allow Ruth to take of the main harvest in addition to the usual gleaning of that which the reapers leave behind. (v.15) The term “sheaves” refers to the bulk of the harvest, the best of the crops that are gathered in the initial wave of reaping. And, just to make sure there’s plenty for Ruth to harvest, Boaz tells his men to purposely leave behind some of the crops as they continue reaping the field. (v.16) Ruth gleans until the evening, gathering enough grain to make an ephah of barley, more than enough to sustain her and Naomi for several days. (v.17) In just a few verses, we see that Boaz encapsulates the ideal godly man, a man who is diligent in all his ways and setting a right, godly example for all of his household and community. He does not abuse his power or authority, instead using his position, wealth, and authority to provide generously for the needy and the poor, as well as for his own workers and household. Boaz is an example of the truly masculine, godly man that all men should strive to be. Verses 18-23: When Ruth shows Naomi the result of her day’s work, Naomi is amazed at the amount of barley Ruth has obtained. (v.18-19) When Ruth explains about Boaz and his generosity to her, Naomi immediately recognizes the hand of God at work and praises Him for His kindness and providence. (v.20) She explains to her daughter-in-law who Boaz is and his connection to their family, and that it was by God’s design that Ruth chose that particular field in which to glean. (v.22) Ruth obeys both Naomi and Boaz by continuing to glean in his field alongside the other maidens for the remainder of the harvest season. (v.23) There’s no such thing as coincidences in the lives of God’s children, especially those who are truly humble and surrendered completely to His sovereign will. The meeting of Ruth and Boaz was prearranged and ordained by God because He knew beforehand what choices they would each make in their lives prior to meeting that day during the harvest. Because this story is told only from the perspective of Ruth and Naomi, we are left to wonder about Boaz’s past and why a man of his age, wealth, and social status is still unmarried at the time he and Ruth first meet. But, ultimately, it doesn’t matter. What is important is that, by God’s design and providence, Boaz met Ruth at just the right time. And because he is kinsman to Elimelech he’s in the right position to be for Ruth and Naomi the kinsman redeemer. It’s also a logical assumption from the kindness that Boaz shows to Ruth at their first meeting that he finds her beautiful and desirable. The love between a man and a woman is also of God, and it’s clear from this passage that Ruth has definitely caught Boaz’s eye. There’s something different about her that he is drawn to, but, as we’ll see in chapter 3, Boaz will need some nudging and encouragement from Ruth, under the guidance of Naomi, to jump start this new romance. |
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