WOMEN OF CHRISTMAS - RUTH - INTRIGUING INSTRUCTIONS

Ruth 3:1-7 (KJV)

INTRIGUING INSTRUCTIONS

Ruth 3:1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? 2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshing floor.

Naomi sees a way she might help Ruth to have a secure future. She continues to feel responsible for Ruth’s welfare as she did when she urged her to go back to Moab and find a husband because she had no more sons to offer her. Ruth has been taking care of Naomi by gleaning for food, but Naomi is also taking care of Ruth. Naomi points out that Boaz will most likely be spending the night on the threshing floor protecting his grain from being stolen. In the next few verses, she gives Ruth intriguing instructions that will benefit not only Ruth, but Naomi as well.

Ruth 3:3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

Naomi told her to bathe, put on oils or lotions, and don her best clothes. This night might turn out to be the most important of her life! Naomi told Ruth to hide until Boaz had finished his meal and drink and had laid down to sleep.

Ruth 3:4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.

Naomi was instructing Ruth in an ancient Near Eastern custom which was a proper way for a woman to propose to a man. It sounds very strange to us, but there was no impropriety or sexual overtone to her actions. She told her to uncover his feet and lay down by them until he woke up. Then he would tell her what to do next.

Ruth 3:5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.

I guess Naomi had explained the custom to Ruth. Whether she understood it or not, Ruth demonstrated great respect and trust in her mother-in-love. She was also courageous and trusting of Boaz’s character to meet with him alone in this manner after dark.

Ruth 3:6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. Ruth 3:7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

Ruth did everything Naomi had told her to do. After supper, Boaz was merry and had a sense of well-being. He was probably incredibly thankful to God for the good harvest after years of famine. His heart was full of gratitude for the rain and sun God had provided to bless his hard work with a plentiful crop. While he was sleeping, Ruth sneaked up on him, uncovered his feet, and laid down to wait.

Ponder this: There is no direct application here. At least I’m not planning on lying down at a man’s feet any time soon. However, sometimes the Lord’s instructions may seem odd to us – such as giving an offering even though we do not have much to give. However, obeying the Lord leads to security and blessing. He has told us to love our enemies – that’s a hard one as well; but if we obey Him, He will reward us. OBEDIENCE is most important:

1 Samuel 15:22 (VOICE) Samuel: Does the Eternal One delight in sacrifices and burnt offerings as much as in perfect obedience to His voice? Be certain of this: that obedience is better than sacrifice; to heed His voice is better than offering the fat of rams.