Ruth Comes to Boaz

Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor. Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. uncover...: or, lift up the clothes that are on And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do. And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. turned...: or, took hold on And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. a near...: or, one that hath right to redeem And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. city...: Heb. gate And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning. And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. vail...: or, sheet, or, apron And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. - Ruth 3:1-18

    The Word of God is a declaration of redemption and grace in Christ. Not only does the Bible declare and explain God’s great purpose and mighty operations of grace, it gives us numerous types, pictures, and examples of it to which believers can relate.

    David And Mephibosheth (2 Sam. 9:1-13)

    Ezekiel’s Deserted Infant (Ezek. 16:1-8)

    The Valley Of Dry Bones (Ezek. 37:1-14)

    Hosea And Gomer (Hosea 1-3)

    Lazarus’ Resurrection (John 11:1-46)

    Zachaeus’ Conversion (Luke 19:1-10)

    The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24)

    The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:23-37)

    Onesimus’ Conversion (Philemon 1)

    Certainly, one of the most detailed and most beautifully instructive pictures of redemption and grace is the love story of Boaz and Ruth. Everyone likes a love story with a happy ending. The story begins with the declaration revealed in Elimelech’s name - “My God is King!” This story has two great themes, one hidden, the other revealed. The hidden theme is divine providence. The revealed theme is redemption (The Kinsman Redeemer). This story of redemption and grace is a story about a great fall. Naomi went out full and came back empty (1:19-21). Her circumstances give a sad, sad portrait of the sin and fall of all the human race in our father Adam (Rom. 5:12). Ruth and Naomi came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest, which was (as we have seen) a picture of this present gospel age. Ruth gleaned in the field of Boaz, portraying the way sinners find bread for their souls in the Word of God, through the ministry of the Word in God’s house, the church.

    Boaz took special notice of Ruth, just as the Lord Jesus Christ took special notice of chosen sinners before the world began. As Boaz commanded his young men not to touch Ruth, so Christ has command all things to touch not his chosen. God’s elect are under his special protection (Hos. 2:18; Rom. 8:28). As Boaz provided handfuls on purpose, specifically for Ruth, so the Lord Jesus rules and commands all things specifically for his chosen (John 17:2). Boaz was Ruth’s near kinsman, the one who had the right to redeem. As such, he portrays our great, incarnate God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb. 2:9-18).

    Here is a delightful point in this story of love, grace and redemption which is often overlooked. Boaz knew what his intentions were toward Ruth, just as Christ knew his intentions of love toward his people from eternity. He knew what he could and would do for Ruth, just as the Son of God knew what he could and would do for his church before the world began (Eph. 1:3-7; 5:25-27; 2 Tim. 1:9). Naomi also knew what Boaz could do if he would. The only one in the dark was Ruth; but she had seen Boaz. He had gotten her attention.

    In this third chapter, we see Ruth coming to Boaz. Here we have a beautiful, instructive picture of the way sinners come to Christ to obtain mercy and grace. Yet, the story is as much for the benefit of those who have long been wed to Christ as it is for those who have just begun to seek him. All who follow Ruth’s example shall find everlasting blessedness for their souls in Christ. “As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.”

    NAOMI’S WISE COUNSEL (vv. 1-4)

    In verses 1-4, Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, typically represents the church of God. The motherly characteristics of God’s church are set before us throughout the Scriptures. She is a mother to all who are born of God. (Isa. 49). Like a good mother, Naomi gave wise and godly counsel to Ruth. Do not fail to see that her counsel was indeed both wise, godly counsel. It was exactly according to the Word of God. It was designed of God to be a picture of grace.

    "Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley tonight in the threshingfloor. Wash thy self therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do."

    Naomi sought Ruth’s welfare, just as God’s church in this world seeks the welfare of chosen sinners (v. 1). She knew their Kinsman-Redeemer and had great confidence in him (vv. 2, 18). Naomi knew who Boaz was, where he was, and what he was able to do. These are the things she told Ruth. That is good witnessing! A good witness simply tells from personal experience and the testimony of Holy Scripture, who Christ is, where he is to be found, and what he is able to do for needy sinners.

    Next, Naomi told Ruth exactly what she must do (vv. 3-4). If Ruth would be wed to Boaz, that was altogether up to Boaz; but she must let him know that she was interested. She must use every means at her disposal to obtain his favor. She must seek him. Yet, she must seek him as one unworthy of his notice, as one totally dependent upon him. Naomi told Ruth to wash herself, go down to the threshing floor, mark the place where Boaz would lie, and lay herself at his feet. Those who seek the Lord must seek him earnestly, with all their hearts (Jer. 29:11-13). As Ruth washed herself, so we must come to Christ in repentance, separating ourselves unto him. If we would find Christ, we must put ourselves in the place where he is to be found, in the house of God (the public assembly of his saints), under the preaching of the gospel (Matt. 18:20; 1 Cor. 1:21).

    Marking the place where he shall lie, marking the promises of God in the gospel to believing sinners, let us come to Christ, putting God in remembrance of them, as he commands us to do (Isa. 43:25-26). Like Ruth, we must lay ourselves down at the feet of our great Boaz, if we would obtain that mercy and grace which only he can give. This is the place of humility, worship, reverence, faith, and hope; and this is the place of blessing (Luke 7:36-50; 10:38-42). Just wait there! - “Make not thyself known unto the man.” “He will tell thee what thou shalt do!”

    RUTH’S CHILDLIKE OBEDIENCE (vv. 5-7).

    "And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do. And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down."

    Remember, Ruth was a grown woman. She had already been married once. She was probably between 20-30 years old. Yet, she responded to godly instruction like a little child. “All that thou sayest unto me, I will do!” She did not know Boaz or the law of God, but Naomi did; so she listened to Naomi. She wanted Boaz. So she came to Boaz, softly. She ventured everything on his goodness. Imagine what could have happened to her. She came to him in the darkest hour of the night, at midnight.

    RUTH’S HUMBLE, BUT BOLD REQUEST (vv. 8-9).

    "And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman."

    Ruth had before offered a request to Boaz - “I pray you, let me glean” (2:7). Here she offers herself. She made a plain confession of herself, her need, and her utter dependence upon him. She said, “I am Ruth,” a stranger, without claim or merit before you. I am “Thy Handmaid,” your servant, at your disposal.

    Then, Ruth made a humble request. She said, “Spread thy skirt over thine handmaid.” That is to say, take me to be yours. This was a private, personal matter, between Ruth and Boaz alone. Not even Naomi could be involved in this. Faith in Christ is an intimate, personal thing.

    Having spread herself, her condition, and her needs before Boaz, Ruth then made one claim upon him She said, “Thou art a near kinsman.” With that claim, she was saying, You have the right and the power to redeem me. With the claim, came the plea of her soul - Will you redeem me? This is the way sinners in need of mercy come to the Savior; and all who come to him obtain the mercy they seek (Matt. 8:2-3).

    BOAZ’S GRACIOUS PROMISE (vv. 10-13).

    "And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning."

    There was no reluctance at all on Boaz’s part to perform the part of a kinsman. He commended the wisdom of Ruth’s choice. He promised to do all that she wanted. And he declares her to be a virtuous woman. She was not such by nature. She was by nature exactly the same as her sister-in-law, Orpah, a Moabite. But grace had wrought a wonderful change in her. It always does (1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 5:17).

    Boaz was a willing redeemer; but something was more important to him than Ruth. Boaz would not act the redeemer’s part, if he could not do so in a way that honored God. Redemption must honor God’s holy law and righteous character (Rom 3:24-26). Grace is never exercised at the expense of righteousness, justice, and truth (Pro. 16:6).

    RUTH’S CONFIDENCE IN BOAZ (vv. 14-18).

    "And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. Also he said, Bring the veil that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day."

    Notice the two I wills in this chapter. Ruth said to Naomi, concerning Boaz, “I will do all that you say” (v. 5). She was willing to follow the instruction of one who knew what was best for her soul. Then, Boaz said to Ruth, “I will do all that you say.” (v. 11). What a blessing! The Son of God is willing to grant believing sinners everything we need as a matter of free grace, and always does.

    There are also two “rests” in the chapter, two blessed portrayals of true sabbath keeping.. There was a rest for Ruth (v. 1). This is the rest of faith. Sinners coming to Christ cease from their own works and rest in him (Matt. 11:28-29). There is also a rest for Boaz (v. 18). The Lord Jesus Christ, once he finished the work of redemption for us, entered into his rest; and his rest is glorious (Heb. 4:10; Isa. 11:10).

    Ruth stayed at Boaz’s feet all night. Boaz took great care to protect her. And he provided her with all she needed. She had his heart. She got his name. She had his corn. And she had him! When Ruth returned home she told Naomi all about Boaz. And Naomi assured Ruth of Boaz’s faithfulness (v. 18; Phil. 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:24).

    The Lord Jesus Christ is to his people all that Boaz was to Ruth. He has done for us all that was pictured in Boaz’s works of redemption for Ruth. We have obtained in him spiritually all that Ruth obtained in Boaz. Let us therefore give ourselves to him, as Ruth gave herself to Boaz, and live altogether for the honor of him who is our kinsman Redeemer (Rom. 12:1-2;1 Cor. 6:19-20; Tit. 2:10).