SCRIPTURE: RUTH 3
RUTH AND BOAZ AT THE THRESHING FLOOR (vs. 1-18)
Naomi wanted to try finding a home for ruth so that she can be well provided. So she thought of Boaz, the kinsman who can redeem her. She gave Ruth this instruction: “Tonight, Boaz will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash and perfume yourself and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover this feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do” (vs. 2-4). Ruth obeyed and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.
Boaz arrived on the threshing floor. After he had finished eating and drinking, he laid down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached him quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. At the middle of the night, Boaz was startled to discover a woman lying at his feet. When he knew that it was Ruth, he was moved with compassion. But since there was a kinsman redeemer nearer than him, he was willing to wait and see. If the kinsman is unwilling to redeem her, he will do it. Then he poured 6 measures of barely into the shawl Ruth was waring and returned back to town.
When Ruth reached home, she told her everything that Boaz had done to her. She shared her the 6 measures of barley that he gave so that she won’t go back empty handed.
THOUGHTS:
There was a law for the kinsman redeemer to protect the poor from being exploited and the rich from taking property from one tribe to another. The redeemer had to be a near kinsman who was able and willing to redeem. Although he was not obligated to do so, but it was expected of him. To refuse was to hurt the family and tribes as well as his own reputation. Jesus Christ became our near kinsman to save and redeem us if we are willing to trust in Him.
GOOD CHARACTERS OF RUTH WORTH EMULATING:
- She listened to instructions of Naomi (vs. 1-4)
- She obeyed them (vs. 5-9)
- She believed what her redeemer said (vs. 10-14)
- She received the gifts (vs. 15-17)
- She waited in patience for him to do the rest (v. 18)
As a foreigner, Ruth may have thought that Naomi’s advice was odd. But Ruth followed her advice because she knew Naomi was kind, trustworthy and filled with moral intelligence. Be willing to listen to the advice of a person who is older and wiser than you are. The experience and knowledge of that person can be invaluable. Imagine how the life of Ruth would be if she ignored Naomi’s advice.
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