WOMEN OF CHRISTMAS - RUTH PROPOSES TO BOAZ, But Runs Into a Snag

RUTH 3:8-18 (KJV)

RUTH PROPOSES TO BOAZ

But runs into a snag

Ruth 3:8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

Feeling something at his feet, startled Boaz. He may not have been sure whether it was a human or a beast. So, he turned where he could see and discovered a woman lying there. That must have been a shock!

Ruth 3:9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

By asking Boaz to literally cover her, she is figuratively asking him to marry her. She is saying, “Cover me like the Lord covers us under His wings.” The kinsman-redeemer could provide protection and a family for a widow by agreeing to a levirate marriage – a man taking his dead brother or near relative’s wife as his own in order to continue the family line of the deceased. He also had the right to redeem any land belonging to the deceased as belonging to the wife. 

Ruth 3:10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

Boaz asked the Lord to bless Ruth, whom he continues to address as daughter, and praises her for following the law in seeking a kinsman-redeemer to continue her husband’s line. She was still young and could have pursued younger men than Boaz who was probably a generation older than her. But she followed her heart of love for her husband’s memory and his mother and sought Boaz instead.

Ruth 3:11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

Boaz pledges to fulfill the requirements of a kinsman-redeemer, including levirate marriage. In the short time Ruth had lived in Bethlehem, her pleasant countenance, excellent character, and love of Naomi had broken down the cultural barrier between the Israelites and Moabites that had existed for generations. Her behavior and willingness to follow the law proved her to be a true convert to Judaism.

Ruth 3:12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

Major snag – there is another man more qualified to be the kinsman-redeemer!

Ruth 3:13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning.

Boaz declares that he will speak to this other kinsman-redeemer on Ruth’s behalf since widows truly had no rights.

He may not have wanted her to have to humble herself before another man after having lain at his feet like a servant.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary:

The Hebrew word for a widow signifies one that is dumb. Boaz will therefore open his mouth for the dumb (Prov. 31:8), and will say that for this widow which she knew not how to say for herself.

Ruth 3:14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.

The next morning they got up early enough that she would not be recognized as it was still dark. This way no one could accuse them of impropriety.

Ruth 3:15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.

Ruth must have been a strong girl because Boaz gave her a large quantity of barley, possibly as much as 60 to 80 pounds! He wrapped it in her veil and laid it on her back to carry. Strange engagement gift!

Ruth 3:16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.

Naomi may not have recognized Ruth in the early morning light or she may have been inquiring “How’d it go?” So Ruth gave her a detailed account.

Ruth 3:17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

With this gift, Naomi knew that Boaz intended to change their poor estate.

Ruth 3:18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

Naomi was confident that Boaz would do all in his power to settle things quickly since he had shown such loving-kindness to them already. More anticipation for Ruth as they awaited word from Boaz.

Ponder this: Jesus is our Kinsman-redeemer. We were in bondage to our sin nature, and He took our punishment on Himself in order to redeem us to be His bride. To be His bride, we had to humble ourselves to realize we could not take care of our problem ourselves and must accept the gift He offers free to us that cost Him everything on the cross. As Ruth lay at the feet of Boaz, we must lay ourselves down at the foot of the cross, a position of total submission and trust.