Ruth 3, part 1

Have you ever gone through trials and difficulties in life and it feels like a black cloud is going to be over you forever? Naomi had been going through such a period in her life. Consequently, Ruth never left her side. Ruth put the needs of her mother-in-law before her own. Additionally, Ruth has found favor with Boaz and is working hard to glean and store grain for Naomi and herself for the coming year. Things are looking up.

An odd custom

The next morning, Naomi shares a plan with Ruth that will redeem Ruth from the challenges of being a widowed foreigner in Israel. It involves a near eastern custom that is odd to us in the West. It will take courage and initiative on Ruth’s part. As a close kinsman to Ruth through marriage, Boaz has the option, not the requirement, to redeem Ruth through marriage and redeem her from the difficult life of a foreign widow. But because Boaz is older than Ruth, it would not be honorable for him to propose. So, Naomi set forth the plan.

Forward with hints of impropriety

Naomi says to a Ruth, “Now, is not Boaz our kinsman? Behold, he winnow’s barley at the threshing floor tonight. Wash yourself therefore and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor. It shall be that when he lies down, that you should notice the place where he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what to do.” To our current way of thinking, this plan is very forward with hints of impropriety. Do your best to view the virtue of this plan within the context of the culture and the two very honorable, God-fearing people involved. Naomi is simply putting a plan in place that allows Ruth to show her desire to be redeemed by Boaz without making a spectacle or risking Ruth’s shame of being denied.

Will you marry me?

Ruth went to the threshing floor and waited until after Boaz had eaten and lied down. She came secretly and uncovered his feet and laid down at his feet. Later in the night he awoke and was startled that a woman was at his feet. “He said, ‘who are you?’ And she answered, ‘I am Ruth your maid. So, spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative.” Boaz knew that this was a proposal from Ruth to marry her and become her kinsman redeemer. More next time.

Listen and act

Lord, I’m drawn this morning to the initiative of Naomi and a Ruth. They were hopeful and prayerful for a new life beyond the difficulties of widowhood and the poverty that came with it. I believe it’s honorable to live as such; always looking for opportunities to improve my life, improve the life of those I love and to give to those in need. The key is to always be prayerful, examining motives and walking humbly under the guidance of the Father.  The initiative of Naomi and Ruth, I believe, was not self-initiated for selfish purposes but according to Your promptings and Your plan. Lord, you open doors; you present opportunities; You lead. Lord, may we also be prayerful and listening to your guidance as we engage in noble pursuits with initiative and courage. Amen.