Everybody has awkward first dates. Right?
Naomi set Ruth up on an incredibly intimate and awkward first date. First of all, she tells Ruth to go to the threshing floor. In the ancient world, the threshing floor was sometimes like the middle school bleachers. In fact, the threshing floor was often a place where folks went to make whoopee (Hosea 9:1).
But this was far from Naomi’s scheme for Ruth that night. Instead, it’s a plan to find Ruth’s kinsman redeemer (Ruth 2:20). Naomi wants to find a husband for Ruth; she wants Ruth to be at rest. Boaz was a good guy. He was a farmer. I imagine him with a weathered face and hands, and on this day he was winnowing. Winnowing meant “party time” because it’s the final step in separating the barley from the chaff. The harvest was finally ready, and he and his workers were having a well-earned celebration.
Boaz was a good boss. He worked with the harvesters, then ate and drank and celebrated with them. The boss doesn’t have to get his hands dirty, but great bosses aren’t too proud to serve when they are needed. Then he went to bed at a good hour, so that he was already asleep by midnight. He was all set to be ready for work again the next morning.
Boaz lay out in the barley that night, not because he didn’t have a bed, but to guard his harvest and to be close to work tomorrow. Naomi sends Ruth to him. And when you put a man and a woman together alone in the dark, it’s a risk, right? But Naomi knew Boaz was sober-minded and Ruth was chaste. Naomi trusted that Boaz would tell Ruth what to do.
Our dear Ruth creeps onto his farm, uncovers his feet and lies down on the hard ground, waiting for Boaz to wake up and acknowledge her. This date is completely terrifying! She could’ve easily doubted the whole thing, wondering, “What if Naomi was wrong? What if Boaz looks at me and recoils in horror? What if he rejects me?”
I imagine her lying there at his feet, watching the stars in their courses, listening to the wind in the barley, and awaiting either her doom or her redemption.
She calls to him, “I am Ruth, your servant….Take me under your wing” (Ruth 3:9). And that night Boaz sends her away no less chaste but much happier than when she came. He gives her the promise of marriage and protection.
We, too, are sometimes on the cold, hard ground of life, putting our reputation at risk, waiting for our redemption. Call out to your Redeemer, who waits to take you under His wing.
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49 thoughts on "Ruth’s Appeal to Boaz"
He is waiting for us and wants us to come back!!
“Call out to your redeemer” he is waiting for us!!
Day 8 done. The power of trusting God and remaining pure is clear…
I pray that I am able to trust Christ with my physical redemption as much as I do with my spiritual redemption ❤️
This is a very powerful story the fact that Ruth displayed so much obedience to Naomi she trusted Naomi’s judgment as a woman of God. I think Ruth could feel Naomi being led by God, and I could imagine Ruth praying asking God for strength, courage,and guidance before even going, and even on her way there she was probably so nervous but courageous at the same time to step out on faith.Boaz was an honorable man of God cause if he wasn’t it could’ve went a totally different way but the Hand Of God was all over this. I belive that each person Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz was led by God. Boaz mentioned the Lord when he said in (Ruth 3:12 ) “Yes it is true that I am a family redeemer, but there is a redeemer closer than I am.” Right in that instant he gave the glory to Christ Jesus that we’ve been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. He was humble,and in all honesty all the glory belongs to God. So I’m so grateful for this reading plan it has truly blessed me. Thank you
❤️
Catching up after several days of touring! I loved the image Rebecca painted of Ruth waiting on the threshing floor. I can imagine her laying there, not knowing exactly what the future holds, but trusting enough to remain in the waiting.
Mari V- Praying for you and your situation. May God grant you peace.
Thank you Arina for the commentary, it was great to add the context and deep dive even further into the story. Ladies, your comments have been so encouraging and insightful as always. I love the thought that we are covered and protected!
Mari, praying for you. She’s, if you could please pray for my friend as well (we’ll call her “A”), she just made a TRO against her uncle and needs to go to court soon to get it extended. I pray God’s protection and peace over Mari and A, that they will be sheltered under God’s mighty wings. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Catching up on my readings. This was so good! <3
Thank you @Arina. That is really helpful. An article I read said that Boaz is a sign of Jesus who covers us with His blood and gives us a hope and a future in Him.
reminder that men should strive to be the proverbs 31 woman as well!! She is not the “perfect wife” or “perfect mother” she is wisdom! Boaz AND Ruth display these attributes
Thank you!!
@Mari praying that you feel safe and this situation is only temporary for you. You are a very strong mother.
I too find myself asking the same requests Ruth is. As a single person longing for her husband to come along this story really gives me comfort. I know I cannot rush Gods timing, but there are so many times I would love to even have a dream about what my future will look like. I fear being married and having kids will not happen for me even though it weighs heavy on my heart for it to happen.
@Mari praying that you feel safe and this situation is only temporary for you. You are a very strong mother.
Praying for you Mari
The proverbs 31 woman seems hard to live up to. I think what i am going to take away from this proverb is to focus more on cultivating her various attributes. Her positive characteristics aren’t things that our society focuses on and sometimes they aren’t the things I focus on either.
I love that God always has a plan for our good. That he redeems our life from the pit and brings us to him. I love that he shelters us in his wings. I pray that I would feels his sheltering love today.
Another trait of Ruth pictured in today’s reading elevated her to another level for me to admire. Some sources say that Boaz was an old man in his 80s when all this happened, hence he addressed Ruth as my daughter, and how she did not go after the younger men but chose him. Her obedience is worthy for many women to learn from. Small yes-es of Ruth leads to a big honor that is to come. The woman who fears the Lord is to be praised! Be blessed dear sisters.
Thank you Arina for sharing this information. I learn so much from each of you each day.
I’ve read through Ruth a few times, yet I’ve never considered this perspective.
‘I imagine her lying there at his feet, watching the stars in their courses, listening to the wind in the barley, and awaiting either her doom or her redemption.’
By 3:9, I wrote ‘provide for & protect me’ in my Bible. That’s what Ruth was asking. I find myself being in a place in my life now in which I, like Ruth, find myself making the same request of the Lord.
It seems like lately I’ve been turning to my Redeemer a lot for help but a solution has always come. I am so thankful I CAN trust in the LORD for all my needs and lay all my burdens on Him.
Lord thank You for ALWAYS being there in the good and bad times, thank You for taking away ALL my cares, concerns and burdens, but MOST OF ALL for LOVING ME FOR WHO I AM!!! Amen.
Sisters, be blessed and cast ALL your burdens on the Lord.
I don’t usually comment, but always enjoy reading others’ comments. I just wanted to let you know, @Mari, that I am praying for you in the midst of what must be an incredibly difficult situation. May God surround you with His presence, protection, and comfort today.
“When he lies down…then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” Ruth 3:4 reminds me of the lyrics to a song, Lord I Cast All My Cares Upon You – “Lord I cast all my cares upon You; I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet; Anytime I don’t know what to do, I will cast all my cares upon You.” Just as Ruth lay at the feet of Boaz looking for answers for her future, we can come to the cross and lay all of our burdens at the feet of Jesus looking to Him for wisdom and guidance for our lives. Once we lay our burdens down – leave them there, don’t try to pick them back up again. He is our Kinsman-Redeemer. He will provide all we need, He will care for each one of us. Praise God for Jesus – I am Your servant, take me under Your wing.
Have a blessed Monday all of you She’s!
Thank you S.
As a now single parent, I don’t have a need to look elsewhere. Jesus is my kinsman Redeemer. Please pray as I sometimes experience anxiety of the unknown as the restraining order against the man I once called husband is approaching. I’m looking into getting it renewed.
The comments helped me to understand these verses better. Thank you!
Thank you Arina. The “She Reads Truth” podcast last Monday was also very helpful in understanding the cultural significance of these verses.
Todays Ruth verses have always made me cringe— to be honest. But the devotional helped me better understand. ARIANA, also thank you for sharing that commentary. Puts things into context for me.
Ruth couldn’t know how Boaz would respond when he woke up to find her at his feet. But her faith and courageous submission was a beautiful display of obedience and loyalty to God. She appealed for redemption through total surrender. And it is through surrendering completely to God that I find a profound quietness of mind. Unlike Ruth, I know how God will respond when I lie down at His feet. There is no question if He will cover me with His protection and care. He does. And He will again. He promised. And I trust Him. Jesus surrendered all and gained the ultimate victory over darkness. And through faith in Him I have found a sacred joy. When I feel bare and uncovered, exposed to the harsh elements of this world, I bow and pray for His covering again. As I surrender to His authority I am strengthened. What worry destroys, trust in God restores. My life is in His redeeming hands. Father God, I lay down my anxious thoughts and I surrender all to You. Fill me with Your peace and joy today. Blow away the chaff. Help me to hold only the seeds of goodness and life. Selah. Maranatha. Amen.
Boaz was an amazing man. Not taking advantage of Ruth was exemplary of how men should be. Chivalry at its finest.
I know that my Redeemer lives!!! Thank You Jesus!! ❤❤✝️✝️
I love this book and see something new each time I read it. A thought that popped into my mind today – seems like Boaz may have already been pondering the situation of Naomi and Ruth and what he would do if/when he had the opportunity … to be startled awake in the middle of the night and immediately know there was a closer kinsman redeemer for Ruth. It could be that it was common procedure back then to always keep track of that sort of thing but at least for me, I would be hard pressed to pull something important from my brain out of the blue in the middle of the night.
Praying for each request as I read through.
GAYLE R – what an exciting opportunity! Praying for you as you lead the new Bible study, that it will speak to each woman’s heart – especially those that don’t yet know Jesus.
I was feeling really anxious when I woke up this morning. I didn’t feel like opening my Bible, but I’m glad I did. I will call out to my Redeemer to take me under his wing and relieve my anxiety. I will also put my trust in the Lord to guide me through today and every day, knowing that He has what’s best for me. I will trust the Lord to provide in areas where I don’t have it all figured out, and all I can do is trust and obey. I hope everyone has a blessed Monday <3
Thank you @Arina for the commentary notes. I have studied this before but it is good to refresh because things don’t always stick.
I sometimes wish I was raised in a Jewish culture, so these things made more sense to me– or that I was proficient in this original Hebrew language. But the Lord gives us His word no matter our cultural background. We were made for such a time as this…
Hopefully, we are wise & discerning as we research the meaning of the text.
Something I took from the text, when we as women are praised for our righteousness, it gives God glory.
So true Kelly, according to their laws the other redeemer must be brought into the picture and Boaz knew and respected that. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Gods rules/directives for our lives as believers and how they help shape our walk here on Earth. Many see them as a burden but I’m changing my perspective to see them as blessings- the life we get to live while abiding in his word is BEAUTIFUL, the goodness around us is much easier to see when looking through the filter of its ALL Gods creation.
Thank you.
@Gayle R, I hope you have a wonderful time with your friends as you begin a new study. Praying the Lord will open the hearts of your friends so they can learn about our great God.
Boaz says that all the people in his town knew that Ruth was a woman of noble character. My mind went immediately to Proverbs 31:10-31, the description of a woman of noble character. I am so glad the SRT added it to our reading today.
Characteristics of a woman of noble character:
-Trustworthiness
-Righteousness (goodness)
-Plans things out
-Hard worker
-Industrious
-Provides for her family well
-Thinks things through
-Prudent
-Strong
-Invests in good ventures
-Good steward
-Generous to others
-Respectful, especially to her husband
-Helps her husband succeed
-Honorable
-Well prepared for future and times & seasons
-Wise
-Watchful
-Well-respected
-Praiseworthy
-God-fearing
May these be the characteristics of our own lives, too. With God’s help & His Spirit, we can also be women of noble character.
In studying, I read a commentary that said “At the feet of Boaz is where her life was changed and THAT is what we find at the feet of Jesus, our Kinsman Redeemer!” Jesus is our redeemer. We know he lives, he is coming back, and he is able to do what he has promised. I am so thankful that Jesus picked me up off the floor. Have a greats day ladies.
Three really good people. That’s what we see today. Naomi desiring more for Ruth, Ruth desiring and beginning to live out the truth of Proverbs 31 – to be a noble and virtuous wife. Boaz – promising a foreign woman protection and love. What an incredible beautiful, selfless story of redemption, trust, and guidance from the Lord. None of them are moving in fear or haste. They are all contemplative and deliberate and hopeful and kind. In this, they are redeemed by their true redeemer as their family line is passed all the way down to Jesus. Are we acting like this in our families? Will this nature of trusting and faith be passed down in our families?
Beautiful picture of Jesus, our redeemer
Arina- love this. Thank you!
@ Arina thank you for the explanation of the commentary. I found it very helpful to understand the verses better.
Thanks for these notes. It’s important to understand the culture of the time and the meaning of all these rituals. I always had a hard time understanding Ruth 3:3-4.
Naomi moves toward God in faith when she tells Ruth to go to Boaz. Ruth moves toward God trusting in His mercy. Boaz moves toward God with integrity knowing there is another kinsman redeemer that must be brought into the picture.
May I move toward You today, Lord in faith, trust and integrity
Amen
Thanks @Arina! I also am going over to that commentary! Praying for you all today.
This is a beautiful example of Naomi understanding her culture and gently leading Ruth into the fold. Here Ruth, join God’s people, not everything is familiar, but His plans are good for you.
I was reading the Enduring Word commentary and it has some interesting things about the cultural background of today’s reading.
Verse 3: Naomi instructs Ruth to go in, uncover Boaz’s feet, and lie down. Some might think this was a provocative gesture, as if Ruth was told to provocatively offer herself sexually to Boaz. This was not how this gesture was understood in that day. In the culture of that day, this was understood as an act of total submission.
i. In that day, this was understood to be the role of a servant – to lay at their master’s feet and be ready for any command of the master. So, when Naomi told Ruth to lie down at Boaz’s feet, she told her to come to him in a totally humble, submissive way.
ii. Don’t lose sight of the larger picture: Ruth came to claim a right. Boaz was her goel, her kinsman-redeemer, and she had the right to expect him to marry her and raise up a family to perpetuate the name of Elimelech. But Naomi wisely counseled Ruth to not come as a victim demanding her rights, but as a humble servant, trusting in the goodness of her kinsman-redeemer. She said to Boaz, “I respect you, I trust you, and I put my fate in your hands.”
Verse 9 – “I am Ruth, your servant,” she replied. “Take me under your wing, for you are a family redeemer.”: Here, she boldly asked Boaz to take her in marriage. The phrase can also be translated as “spread the corner of your garment over me.” This was a culturally relevant way to say, “I am a widow, take me as your wife.”
i. “The spreading of a skirt over a widow as a way of claiming her as a wife is attested among Arabs of early days, and Jouon says it still exists among some modern Arabs.” (Morris)
ii. “Even to the present day, when a Jew marries a woman, he throws the skirt or end of his talith over her, to signify that he has taken her under his protection.” (Clarke)
iii. In Ezekiel 16:8, God uses the same terminology in relation to Israel: I spread my wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you and you became Mine, says the LORD God