Ruth,
chapter 3 contains some beautifully innocent symbols of love,
vulnerability and acceptance. Until now, Ruth has been working
tirelessly to insure all of Naomi’s needs were met. She had been
so unselfish, all of the townsmen acknowledged “you
are a woman of noble character“.
Now as the harvest is near completion, Naomi tells her young
daughter-in-law what she must do: “Wash
and perfume yourself and put on your best clothes… tonight (Boaz)
will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor…don’t let him
know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When
he lies down, note the place he is lying. Then go and uncover his
feet and lie down“.
This was not some kind of foreplay, but rather a symbolic act of
submission and request that this wealthy man accept his
responsibility as kinsman-redeemer. It is important to note that
before she takes this step of exposure where she is risking more than
rejection, she already knows the heart of this man. She has observed
him interacting with his servants and friends throughout the
stressful time of the harvest. This is no casual encounter; it is a
serious decision with extremely serious consequences. As always,
Ruth responds to Naomi, “I
will do whatever you say“.
After
Boaz laid down for the night, “Ruth
approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down… in the middle
of the night… he turned and discovered a woman at his feet“.
“I
am your servant Ruth“,
she replied. Then she added, “Spread
the corner of your garment over me, since you are a
kinsman-redeemer“.
This was essentially a request that he accept the duties of taking
her as his wife and paying all the debt for Naomi. I’m sure she is
overjoyed to hear his reply; “The
Lord bless you my daughter… you have not run after younger men…
don’t be afraid. I will do for you all that you ask“.
Boaz also informed Ruth, “there
is another kinsman nearer than I… but if he is not willing, I will
do it“.
So she lay at his feet until morning. Before leaving in the morning
Boaz said, “Bring
me the shawl you were wearing and hold it out… he poured six
measures of barley“.
Clearly romantic feelings had developed, but they are expressed in
giving, rather than taking. When Ruth returned to Naomi, “She
told her everything that Boaz did“.
Naomi, knowing the potential for the other more near kinsman to
fulfill the role, cautions, “Wait
my daughter, until you find out what will happen. For the man will
not rest until the matter is resolved today“.
Boaz does not delay, he has committed and will not wait.
This
chapter reminds me of the customs and priorities of selecting a
spouse. Notice the love developed between these two because they
spent time together in the presence of other people. Their
attraction was not based solely on a physical attraction, but
admiration of character, acts of kindness, and displays of unselfish
giving. Sometimes these things can only be seen when family and
friends interact. The old expression is true, ‘When you marry the
man, you marry his family’. Both Ruth and Boaz understood their
duties and responsibilities according to God’s Word. Many people
today have difficulty with Ephesians 5:22, “Wives,
submit to your husbands as to the Lord“.
That would be a tough verse to follow, if it was not accompanied
with the instructions to the husband, “Husbands
ought to love their wives as their own bodies… he feeds and cares
for it, just as Christ does the church“.
Are you living your life in a way that would attract a godly
spouse? If you are married, are you honoring your god-given role?
The closer we follow God’s plan for marriage the more pure love can
grow. Ephesians 5:19 describes the result; “Make
music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the
Father for everything; in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ“.