Ruth Chapter 3

In the steps Ruth takes, recorded in this chapter, we see the five steps God’s people must take if they want to enter into a deeper relationship with the Lord. Let’s continue our study in chapter three and see how a simple act of faith brings the dawning of a new day.

Ruth 3:1-5 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? And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor. 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. And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt g in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.

First, Ruth prepared to meet Boaz. Ruth made a fivefold preparation before she presented herself to Boaz. First, she washed herself. If we want to enter into a deeper relationship with our Lord, we must cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1). Second, she anointed herself. People used fragrant oils as a fragrant perfume that would make one nice to be near. Anointing oil speaks of the presence and the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. All believers have received the anointing of the Spirit, and therefore we ought to be a fragrance of Christ. Third, she changed clothes. She was to put off the garments of a sorrowing widow and dress for a special occasion. We cannot come into God’s presence in our own righteousness for all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). We can only come in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Fourth, she learned how to present herself to him. There was nothing improper about this procedure, for it was the only way Ruth could offer herself to her kinsman redeemer. She had to put herself at the feet of the lord of the harvest, and he would do the rest. Fifth, she promised to obey. She was not only a hearer of the word, but she was a doer.

Ruth 3:6-9 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. 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. And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. 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.

Second, Ruth submitted to Boaz. The men of a village would take turns using the threshing floor. The men would often work in the evening when the breeze was up, and they slept at the threshing floor to protect the harvest. Ruth was coming to his feet to propose marriage. She was asking him to obey the law of the kinsman redeemer and take her as his wife. To spread one’s mantle over a person meant to claim that person for yourself, particularly in marriage.

Ruth 3:10-14 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. 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. And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. 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. 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.

Third, Ruth listened to Boaz. In the responses of Boaz to Ruth, we see how the Lord responds to us when we seek a deeper relationship with Him. Boaz accepted Ruth, just as our kinsman accepts us. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Boaz assured Ruth. Not only did Boaz calm Ruth’s fears, but he also made a promise to her concerning her future.

Ruth 3:15-17 Also he said, Bring the veil 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. 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. And she said, These six measures of barley game he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

Fourth, Ruth received gifts from Boaz. She had not asked him for anything, but he gave the grain to her because he loved her.  Naomi and Ruth were now full because of the grace of the kinsman redeemer. Ruth’s faith and obedience had brought about a complete transformation in their lives, and now they were living by grace.

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.

Fifth, Ruth waited for Boaz to work. Since Naomi and Ruth believed that Boaz would accomplish what he said he would do, they waited patiently. I must confess that waiting is one of the most difficult things for me to do, it’s so easy for me to get impatient with the Lord and start meddling in matters that I ought to leave alone; but I must remember, God can accomplish the impossible and my hands may get in the way and make matters worse. Boaz was working for Ruth, and Naomi was confident that he would not rest until he had settled the matter. It encourages my heart to know that Jesus Christ is working unceasingly for His people as He intercedes in heaven, and He is working in us, seeking to conform us to His perfect will. Have you put yourself at the feet of the Lord of the Harvest, and are you trusting Him to work?