Ruth

Ruth 3:8-13
8.It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward ; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
9.He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative."
10.Then he said, "May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.
11."Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.
12."Now it is true I am a close relative ; however, there is a relative closer than I.
13."Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good ; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until morning."


This semester, I had the privilege of not only reading but experiencing the book of Ruth through the chapel series presented by Dr. Reg Grant. Dr. Grant’s talks gave me so many new insights into this familiar story.



I have always thought of Ruth and Boaz as honorable people, and what I learned about Ruth 3:8-13 reinforced this idea in some interesting ways. When Ruth comes to Boaz on the threshing floor at night, she is acting in obedience to her misguided mother-in-law. Yet, even though she is obeying, she is creating a potentially darkly passionate situation. Ruth makes herself completely available to Boaz, a situation that would have been very tempting to him. And yet, the word she chooses to refer to herself in verse 9 implies humility- she uses a word that captures her situation as a foreigner, an outsider, and even a wanton woman.


The character Boaz displays here is incredible. He not only refuses to give in to temptation, but he does not look down on Ruth as a foreigner or view her as a seductress. He views Ruth as a courageous and honorable woman. He blesses her for not going after younger men, but for honoring him with her attention. Boaz shows his respect for Ruth by not taking advantage of her even when nobody would have known. What I think is really wonderful about this interaction is that Boaz calls Ruth a woman of excellence. In her humility, Ruth does not have a high opinion of herself, but Boaz recognizes her character. He has taken notice of all she has selflessly done for her mother-in-law. Even though she is from a people group that the Jews would normally despise, Boaz sees Ruth as a woman of excellence.


Ruth is a powerful story of the actions of a true God-centered love, but even more so of obedience and honor and the blessings that result.