This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier (Ruth 3)*

Ruth 3:1-18

Key Verse: “And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask.” (Ruth 3:11).

Introduction: Naomi arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. On their first day there, Ruth went out to look for something for them to eat and met Boaz, Elimelek’s distant relative. He showed her kindness and care as if she were one of his family members. She continued working on his farm until the end of the barley harvest, for about three months. Even though Boaz showed his kindness and care for Ruth, he did not show any interest in her beyond caring for her and Naomi’s needs.

In today’s passage, Naomi told Ruth to do something daring, with the purpose of providing for her daughter-in-law. Although Naomi’s plan was somewhat disagreeable to and risky for her, Ruth obeyed what her mother-in-law told her to do. This challenge was well accepted by Boaz, and he promised Ruth to do what she asked.

Today’s passage will be divided into three parts: 1) Go, uncover his feet and lie down (1-4); 2) Since you are guardian-redeemer (5-9); 3) This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier (10-15); and 4) The man will not rest until (16-18).

1.      Go, uncover his feet and lie down (1-4)

On the first day of her trying to find grain during the early harvest season, Ruth met Boaz,  who showed his kindness and care for her because he deeply appreciated her love and faithfulness for her mother-in-law. His kindness was not just in supplying her needs and protecting her from the unwanted advances of his hired men, but it also elevated her, a Gentile woman, to be a member of his household. Since then, she worked diligently at his farm to pick up grains, in order to support herself and her mother-in-law, Naomi. Three months passed (near the end of June) and the barley harvest was ending. Threshing and winnowing are the last two processes in grain harvesting. When the threshing and winnowing were finished, Ruth did not come to Boaz’s field anymore; instead, she stayed home until the fall harvest arrived.

When Naomi stepped into her hometown of Bethlehem, she was filled with grief and could not see anything beyond her pitiful condition as a destitute widow. However, when Ruth returned from her first day in the harvest field with an abundance of barley, she saw anew the coming of God’s blessing for her dead family, as well as for herself (2:20). The belief that “God is now at work on our behalf of us” opens a new outlook for life. She saw hope beyond her present hardships and difficulties. In this mindset, she trusted Boaz’s godliness and believed in Ruth’s godliness.

Suddenly, Naomi called Ruth and told her this:

"My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight, he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in 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 his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do." (Ruth 3:1-4).

Faith makes one sees the faith of others and enables them to foresee something fit for God’s greater purpose. Life by faith is never to live like a sitting duck, not doing anything; rather, faith expresses itself by doing something for God’s good purpose, just as Jesus told his followers to ask, seek, and knock (Matthew 7:7).

By faith, Naomi placed all of her hope and plans into God’s hands. This is what she meant by saying ‘find’ or ‘seek’, for finding or seeking God’s purpose was the reason for this risky overture. She believed Boaz and Ruth, and she believed the Lord’s good and perfect will even more so, even though there were many possible mishaps and risks involved. Simply, by directing Ruth to do this, she was asking the Lord, “What is your will for Ruth, the one who is so worthy in your eyes?”

Here, it seems that Naomi told her daughter-in-law to lure Boaz one night. She was to do her makeup, dress herself up, and then lie down at his feet in the middle of the night. The purpose of doing this was to ‘find’ a home (rest) for Ruth. The NAS reflects more of the sense of this word,

“My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?” (Ruth 3:1a).

In Naomi’s mind, she was strongly compelled to find a home or a place for Ruth to find rest. If she did not do this, then she would not be doing the right thing or was even neglecting her duty as a mother-in-law. This might have been a simple reciprocation of Ruth’s undivided devotion and love for her, but far more than that was that, before the Lord who is right and just, she was obligated to find a home for Ruth. Why? Because she was so precious and worthy, not just in Naomi’s eyes but also before the Lord! God values anyone who gives his or her life for the sake of others. Such a person is worthy in His eyes. When we value something as precious, we do not hesitate to pay a large sum of money for it, because it is worth it. In the Lord’s eyes, Ruth was worthy!

God’s love for the ones who come to Him in repentance and faith is remarkable. The first example of such love is Ruth. God spoke of this in the Law (Leviticus, Deuteronomy) and through the prophets’ messages, starting with Nehemiah (1:9), Isaiah (44:22), Joel (2:12), Haggai (2:17), Zechariah (1:3), and finally Malachi (3:7). The most prominent of such messages is found in Jeremiah (3:15; 24:4-7). God counts anyone worthy who comes to Him in repentance and faith, and will surely find them a place to rest.

How could Naomi dare to concoct such a plan? It was very risky since such an act could be considered as a gesture of sexual immorality, unless Boaz understood Ruth’s and Naomi’s good intentions. Also, Naomi’s plan would be very offensive to Ruth’s pure and godly heart, but she had devoted her life to her husband and his family. Ruth had said that nothing, but death, could separate her from Naomi. In her all-out commitment, even though Naomi was telling her this for her own sake, Ruth was practically saying that she wanted her to go after a man of good standing, in whom she could find a nice and cozy family, even while Naomi lived alone in loneliness.

2.       Since you are guardian-redeemer (5-10)

How did Ruth take Naomi’s word, whom she dearly loved, respected, and trusted?

"I will do whatever you say," Ruth answered.” (Ruth 3:5).

There was a great risk to Ruth’s integrity as a woman of noble character. When a woman makes a gesture, which would likely be taken as openness to give her body to be used for a man’s discretion, she is putting all of her life on the line.

Yet she answered Naomi with one simple sentence, “I will do whatever you say” (3:5). She put aside and buried all of her reluctance, uncertainty, and fear, and made a decision to follow through with what Naomi said to her. This was an extension of the commitment that she had made when she left her country and her people to follow Naomi. However, this was more than her earlier decision, for it would touch on her core beliefs as a woman of godliness. This was faith. Faith is invisible and yet powerful enough to remove all fear, anxiety, and plausible excuses from one’s heart. Her faith was also seen in her trust in Naomi, Boaz, and the Lord Almighty. In this way, she could entrust all of her integrity, knowledge, and goodness into the Lord’s hands. The most important part of faith is that God is honored for His good will and almighty power.

As she answered, she overcame all of her fears and reluctance and did what she was told to do. She made up herself with beautiful garments and makeup, went to the threshing floor in secret, and laid down after uncovering Boaz’s feet. Truly, it was a bold and courageous move. He was sound asleep and did not know anything that she did; however, in the middle of the night, he woke up and was surprised to find that a lady was at his feet.

"Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family." (Ruth 3:9).

Here, Ruth identified herself as Boaz’s servant (in 2:13, she identified herself as less than a servant). She was no longer a Moabite, a Gentile, woman, who had no standing in the family of Israel, but rather she was a servant who is a member of that family (Boaz accepted her to be one of his maids - 2:14-16).

She further identified Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer of ‘our’ family. Her words are loaded with meaning and power. She wanted him to be the kinsman-redeemer for Naomi’s family, the family of Ruth’s husband Mahlon, and her father-in-law, Elimelek. If she were only concerned with her own wellbeing, she could have said that he was a kinsman for her and that he could take her as his wife. However, she did not do that; instead, she was offering herself to Boaz, so that her family might be redeemed through him.

Was this Naomi’s intention when she told Ruth to do this? Her primary intention for this plan was to provide a home for Ruth (3:1); however, the primary purpose here of Ruth offering herself was not for her wellbeing alone, but for her whole family’s redemption. This was the theme in her heart; how could the family, who had been devastated by God’s judgment, now be restored? How could this happen and how could Ruth help? In this regard, she was thinking like Tamar, who risked her life in order to defend her innocence and bring salvation to her dead husband’s family (Genesis 38).

Certainly, it was a shock that Ruth came and offered herself to Boaz. It was even more of a shock to hear this from her mouth, as a Moabite woman, who had the least understanding of God’s purpose for His people, Israel. Simply, the idea of her giving up her life as the means to redeem Israel, who had been struck by God’s judgment, is amazing, because she was keenly aware of His transcending purpose for every Israelite family.

3.      This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier (11-15)

In shock, Boaz answered:

"The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.” (Ruth 3:10).

He deeply sensed her noble and godly purpose through this act, even though she was at his feet, ready to give her life to him. The one who has a pure heart recognizes the one who does things out of a pure heart. The one who lives by God’s truth and in fear of the Lord recognizes those who live and act by faith, no matter how ungodly their acts look. The beauty of a woman is her life-giving sacrifice for the wellbeing of her family, first for her husband, then for her children, and then for future generations, Boaz knew this and deeply appreciated Ruth’s noble and godly purpose. Her life-giving sacrifice was far greater than what she had shown to her dead family and her widowed mother-in-law. It was one thing for her to leave her country and her people and come to this unknown land to love her mother-in-law; it was another for her to give up her life for her family’s sake. She gave up her youth and her desire for a younger man of vigor and strength, who would accompany her throughout her life.

Naomi believed in both Boaz’s and Ruth’s faith. That belief turned out to be greatly successful. Boaz accepted Ruth on godly terms and praised her life-giving love for her family.

A woman of youth and beauty can attract the eyes of many men. Boaz saw a great opportunity for her in that society. She could have easily found a younger man for her own good, but she did not do so. The one and only reason for her to marry was ‘to redeem’ her family, the family of her husband, Mahlon. It is likely that Boaz was old enough to be her father since he repeatedly called her ‘my daughter’. It is also possible that Boaz was too old to have a child and having a child was of secondary concern or not in his view at all.

How could she still serve Naomi? If she married a kinsman redeemer, she and Naomi could live together under one roof. This was likely the most important reason why she was doing this. Simply, she had a life-giving love for Naomi.

It is not too fetched of an idea that Naomi and Ruth picked up this idea from living among the Moabites, where sexual immorality was prevalent and even considered as normal. Nevertheless, Boaz took her bold action not one of those which Moabites practice.

“And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.” (Ruth 3:11).

Ruth experienced great fear in doing this. What if Boaz would not take her or even considered her to be an ungodly woman or a woman of the streets? Immediately, Boaz alleviated her fears and doubts and gave her peace of mind. He did not doubt her noble character, and this act was in no way taken as a lewd or ungodly act.

“Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning." (Ruth 3:12-13).

He revealed that, even though he was a guardian-redeemer, he was not the closest one for Elimelek’s family. He would make sure that her family would be redeemed, either by the closest redeemer or himself. By this, he showed his kindness and respect for Ruth. Since he was not the first in line as redeemer, he did not have to go through much hassle to find her one. He could have simply told her where she could find him and to ask him if he would redeem her family. However, being moved by Ruth’s life-giving love for her family, Boaz promised that he would surely seek to find her a redeemer. If the redeemer was not willing to fulfill his duty, Boaz swore that he himself would redeem her and her family.

Since she was basing her life on this proposition, any hint of rejection or reservation from Boaz would have caused great fear and uncertainty for Ruth. However, he showed total commitment to what he said. First, he protected her from public rumors, so that her integrity as a noble woman might not be tainted by inquisitive eyes. Second, he protected her by keeping her beside him through the night so as to protect her from scoundrels in that remote area. His care and protection were superb. This came from his deep appreciation of her godly love for her people, especially Naomi. She must be in no way discouraged or disappointed. When one chooses to do good for the sake of God’s good purpose, He protects and preserves them.

Early the next morning, Boaz sent her off with six measures of barley. Again, his care was thorough.

4.      The man will not rest until (16-18)

When Naomi heard all that Boaz had done for Ruth, she was convinced that he would fulfill his promise. She showed her trust in him in this way:

“Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today." (Ruth 3:18).

Naomi saw that their hope was in God. Ruth followed her advice by faith, even though it required courage and risk. Now, all things were in Boaz’s hands. Naomi and Ruth must wait to hear how God’s hand would work through him. Boaz was driven by his ‘hezed love’ for Ruth. We will see what he does in the next chapter.

Can we give up our lives for the sake of others? What Ruth did for Naomi’s sake and that of her family was done out of nothing less than life-giving love. We find similar love in Tamar, and also in Mary, Jesus’ mother. The ultimate revelation of such love is the cross Jesus bore for the sake of sinners like us. Such love compels a man to do what is right and just, for God is looking for such faith and exhorts His people to also support such faith because He is looking for faithful men and women. Life-giving love is the epitome of godliness and the emblem of faith. I pray that we may all learn to have such faith as Ruth did.

May God richly bless you as the Lord of life-giving love!