Seeking a Redeemer (Ruth 3)

​Different societies have their customs. They also have parents who may take steps for each of their children to have a suitable spouse. That search in ancient societies would have involved practices that seem unusual to us, and such are present in this story of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. The narrator of this Old Testament book records how Naomi was concerned about her responsibility for Ruth’s future and of the suggestion she made to find out if Boaz was indeed the man for Ruth. Of course, Naomi took those steps because she was aware of the Old Testament requirement of the role of a redeemer in Israel regarding family concerns.

Reading biographies about people in the past can cause us to think about practices and traditions that no longer take place. It may be of interest to know how John Knox discovered his second wife or perhaps how she was found for him. A female friend who belonged to the aristocracy noticed his need and suggested to him that he should remarry. He replied that he would, but that he could not imagine any woman marrying him because of the kind of life he lived as a fugitive as he moved around the country as a travelling preacher. The lady said she would find out, and having three daughters she started with them. When asked, the two oldest told their mother that she should want them to marry someone with a more settled life. But when the third daughter was asked, she said that she would marry Knox, but was afraid that he would not marry her – she was only nineteen and Knox was in his late fifties. The mother said that she would find out. She arranged for a meal the next time Knox visited the home and at the meal informed him that she knew someone who would marry him. When he asked who the woman was, she replied, ‘The one sitting beside you.’ No doubt, the mother placed her there. John asked the daughter if she would marry him, and she said yes right away. They had three children, each of whom married a minister, and one of them became well-known as the wife of John Welch who was exiled from Scotland for his faithful ministry in the days of James the First.

We should not think that it is only women who behaved in this way regarding potential spouses. A catechist in the north of Scotland had lost his wife and one of his friends was concerned about him. He concluded that what the catechist needed was another wife and he thought he knew the right lady. The catechist agreed to meet her, and when he did, he said that she would have to be better than she looked. The lady was offended initially at his comment, but it was explained to her that the catechist meant that he hoped her spiritual state would be better than her attire. She married him and their son was the Apostle of the North.

Some regard this chapter as evidence of sin, even of immorality, by Ruth and Boaz. Others consider Naomi to have had good intentions but was unwise in her methods. For example, George Lawson, a Scottish minister of two centuries ago, wrote that ‘Her views were good, but the means she took to accomplish them were unwise. They were indeed followed with success; but for the success we are to praise Boaz, or rather that gracious Providence which over-ruled ill-contrived means to accomplish its own ends.’ 

The problem with both those interpretations is that the account does not suggest either of them. Rather, the opposite is portrayed. Each of the three characters are depicted as acting spiritually, of seeking the will of the Lord, of doing what was pleasing to him. So, we can explore what took place in their lives at that time.

The reason (vv. 1-2)

We are told in verse 1 about the motive that Naomi had for her proposition that may seem surprising to us with our emphasis on individuals having the power to arrange their own lives – she wanted rest for her daughter-in-law. Rest is an important Bible concept in both Testaments. It was one of the promises connected to living in the Promised Land as an inheritance for God’s people. No doubt there would be a variety of circumstances that could hinder or prevent the enjoyment of rest and it is not difficult for us to see what kind of difficulties faced Ruth. She was an alien, having come from an enemy people; she was a widow; and she was poor. But she had come to believe in the God of Israel, and she had come to live in the land of Israel. Was it right for such a person not to have rest, or was it within her rights to seek for rest?

What kind of rest did Naomi have in mind? The anticipated rest would include several details such as a sense of peace, well-being, and security. But in Israel, rest was also connected to one’s inheritance, which was a place for each family to dwell, a place to enjoy the produce of the God of the land, to be able to sit under their own fig tree in the awareness of and enjoyment of God’s bounty. Who would provide such rest for Ruth? Naomi obviously thought Boaz could, and for that to happen he would need to know that he could marry Ruth.

The challenging aspect of Naomi’s words is that she took her responsibility seriously about doing something about the problem. She had found herself in a position providentially that made it clear what she had to do. We can see from her response that she had a plan. She was aware that she had to do it, because if she did not, who would? From her point of view, there was the possibility of failure, but then responsibility only brings failure or success.

The ritual (vv. 3-6)

Naomi had been waiting for the right opportunity to reveal her plan to Ruth. She did not have to wait for long because we can see it is still the time of barley harvest, although coming towards its end. The barley has been gathered and the winnowing is in process. We might imagine that this would not have been the best opportunity for a couple to meet for a discussion, yet we could say that it gave opportunity for a private conversation in the view of others who were near the location. It was possible for Ruth to get close to Boaz while others were around connected to the winnowing. We know that others were there because they had participated in a feast provided by Boaz for his servants.

In order to understand what Naomi suggests to Ruth, we must recognise the existence of customs that are not found in our contemporary culture. Naomi’s advice to Ruth is threefold. First, in verse 3, Naomi’s instruction to Ruth to change her appearance merely means that she has to come out of her time of mourning, a period in which she would have worn dark attire. It would not have been appropriate for any contact to be made with a potential husband while Ruth was indicating that she was still in the state of mourning. So she had to look different. Second, Ruth was not to interrupt Boaz as he supervised the feast, but remain unnoticed in the background. Third, when he went to lie down, she was to lie at his uncovered feet. The text does not say that Naomi expected Boaz to be asleep. Instead, she says that Boaz will respond to the silent actions of Ruth. The required silence of Ruth points to her willingness not to verbally embarrass Boaz. If Boaz does not want to be her husband, he will tell her, and that will be the end of the process.

The request (vv. 7-13)

That evening Boaz went to rest a happy man, but he would be much happier when he woke up, even although he would get a big surprise. No doubt, he was tired after a day’s work, and it was not difficult for him to fall asleep. Indeed, he was so tired he did not even notice the arrival of Ruth or sense that his feet were uncovered by her or that she was there lying at his feet. Ruth cannot speak to him until he speaks. And she had no way of knowing how long she would have to wait. But the moment came at midnight.

We may wonder at the significance her uncovering of the feet of Boaz and lying beside them. It is not too difficult to suggest a meaning for her lying there, because that was the place where a servant would place himself or herself. This meaning fits with Ruth’s opening statement to Boaz that she was his servant. Regarding the uncovering of his feet, it is likely that Boaz had wrapped himself in a blanket or a cloak. If he wished to take Ruth’s offer, then he would place the blanket over his feet and then over her as well, indicating that he was willing to take her under his wing (the word translated wing in verse 9 can also be translated as corner of a blanket or garment), a beautiful picture of protection.

As we are told, at midnight something aroused Boaz and he realised that an unknown woman was lying at his feet. His simple question regarding her identity gave her the opportunity to explain why she was there. Her answer is straightforward – she wants Boaz to become her permanent protector. She also indicates that she is already willing to perform the requirements that will be demanded of her as his wife – she is ready to serve in whatever way was necessary.

The request she makes of Boaz is similar to the blessing that Boaz had previously given to her. In chapter 2, he had assured her that she was safe under the wings of the God of Israel. Now she wanted Boaz to keep her under his wings. Surely she would find rest under that double protection. Boaz was a man of upright character, determined to obey God’s will.

Protection and rest, however, would only occur for Ruth through Boaz if he was able to fulfil the role of redeemer. A redeemer in Israel was a close relative who was able to perform required activities for a needy relation. In Ruth’s case, the duty of a redeemer was to marry her and give to her the provision and protection that she needed as a stranger and widow. Ruth humbly reminded him of his role.

The response (vv. 14-18)

It is obvious from Boaz’s response that he had been thinking about the matter of ransoming her before Ruth mentioned it to him. In Israel it was the widow’s responsibility to raise the matter of remarriage with the authorities (Deut. 25:5-10), and maybe Boaz was waiting for Ruth to do so. This could explain Boaz’ expression of gratitude that Ruth had chosen him rather than a younger man (v. 10); she had not yet taken her case before the civic leaders of the community and asked for a younger relative to fulfil the role of ransomer. Now that she had revealed her desire to Boaz, he was able to inform her of the situation he was in. He was willing to redeem her, but he was aware of another relative who had a stronger claim on her because he was more closely related to her dead husband. But Boaz promised to find out quickly if the other man was able to fulfil the role, but if he could not then he would redeem her.

We should observe the encouragement that Boaz gave to Ruth about her suitability for her to be his wife in the eyes of others. He says that she was a worthy woman in the eyes of the community, which tells us that he was aware of what people were thinking about Ruth. She may have thought that her Moabite background would be against her, but the reality was that the people of Bethlehem would have not regarded the proposed marriage as inappropriate for a devout Jew like Boaz. That reputation speaks volumes about Ruth’s character and lifestyle because it was one that she gained very quickly.

Once daylight came, Ruth left the threshing area without anyone there recognizing her. She did not go home empty-handed. Instead, she was given six measures of barley by Boaz, which she carried on her back or on her head to Naomi. We can imagine the joy that Naomi would have had when Ruth told her what had happened the previous night. The proposal had set in motion a process that Naomi was confident would be sorted out later that day.

Lessons

There are several lessons that we can take from this event. First, we should note the providence of God. There are many examples of providence at work here, but we can mention two. Why did Boaz fall asleep just before Ruth arrived meaning that she had to wait for him to awaken? What was the point of that delay? Ruth could have reasoned that if God was in it, he would have caused Boaz to remain awake until she arrived. But he did not. A little thing, we might say. But God’s timing is the best timing, and that is what happened here. In contrast, we can note what looked like a much bigger problem, with the person who was a closer relative to Ruth than Boaz. This problem may have seemed insurmountable. Both providences caused delays, but perhaps the smaller one being solved quickly would have been an encouragement to Ruth that the bigger matter would be dealt with favourably. But their experience reminds us that what we might regard as unnecessary can happen to us and what may be bigger hindrances can happen to us.

Second, we should note how to approach the Redeemer, the Saviour of our souls. The various roles in Israel were designed to picture the work of Jesus Christ. We are familiar with the offices of prophet, priest and king and what they tell us about what Jesus did and does for his people. There are other roles that we should also bear in mind and one of them is the role of the person called the kinsman redeemer, and Boaz is a good example of him. We should approach Jesus aware of how he can help us by providing us with spiritual and eternal rest, we should approach him humbly by taking a lowly place, we should approach him with a desire to be his servant, and we should ask him in faith to be our Redeemer. As it was Ruth’s responsibility to do so with Boaz, so it is our responsibility to take our lost, poor, weak, uncertain case to Jesus and be taken into his family with all the benefits that he can provide in this life and in the life to come.

Third, we should share our experience with others. The first thing Ruth did was go and tell Naomi what had happened. Her words and the barley she carried were the evidence that Boaz was on her case, and both details would have encouraged Naomi. We can liken the barley here to a sample of the inheritance she was about to enjoy for the rest of her life. What tokens of our spiritual inheritance do we share with one another?

Fourth, we should do things according to the Word of God. That is what Naomi, Ruth and Boaz did in the activities of that evening. God’s requirements were the map by which they were to proceed, and because they did so, progress was made. They did not get everything they wanted, but they did travel in the right direction for receiving ongoing blessings from heaven. The only safe road to travel on as far as spiritual progress is concerned is adherence to the Word of God.