Then Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? (Ruth 3:1)
The Hebrew word for security in verse one is the same word for rest in Ruth 1:9, where Naomi hoped that her daughters-in-law would find rest and security in the home of a new husband.
Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? (Ruth 3:2)
Is he not our relative? The word translated relative is the original word ‘Goel’. Noami reminded Ruth that Boaz was their family goel.
The goel – sometimes translated kinsman-redeemer – had a specifically defined role in Israel’s family life.
Then it shall be when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down, and he will tell you what you should do.” (Ruth 3:4)
At the appropriate time, Naomi instructs Ruth to go in, uncover his feet, and lie down. Some might think this was a provocative gesture, as if Ruth was told to provocatively offer herself sexually to Boaz. This was not how this gesture was understood in the culture of that day; this was understood as an act of total submission.
So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.” (Ruth 3:9)
By asking Boaz to take her under his wing, she boldly asked him to take her in marriage. The phrase can also be translated as “spread the corner of your garment over me.” This was a culturally relevant way to say, “I am a widow, take me as your wife.”
It also shows something else wonderful about Ruth: She based her attraction to Boaz more on respect than on image or appearance. Tragically, many people fall in love with an image or an appearance rather than with a person they can really respect.
In Ezekiel 16:8, God uses the same terminology in relation to Israel: I spread my wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, says the LORD God.
for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. (Ruth 3:11)
How do people see you?
Do you have a reputation for being a virtuous woman?
The Hebrew word for security in verse one is the same word for rest in Ruth 1:9, where Naomi hoped that her daughters-in-law would find rest and security in the home of a new husband.
Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? (Ruth 3:2)
Is he not our relative? The word translated relative is the original word ‘Goel’. Noami reminded Ruth that Boaz was their family goel.
The goel – sometimes translated kinsman-redeemer – had a specifically defined role in Israel’s family life.
- The kinsman-redeemer was responsible to buy a fellow Israelite out of slavery (Leviticus 25:48).
- He was responsible for being the “avenger of blood” to make sure the murderer of a family member answered for the crime (Numbers 35:19).
- He was responsible for buying back family land that had been forfeited (Leviticus 25:25).
- He was responsible for carrying on the family name by marrying a childless widow (Deuteronomy 25:5-10).
Then it shall be when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down, and he will tell you what you should do.” (Ruth 3:4)
At the appropriate time, Naomi instructs Ruth to go in, uncover his feet, and lie down. Some might think this was a provocative gesture, as if Ruth was told to provocatively offer herself sexually to Boaz. This was not how this gesture was understood in the culture of that day; this was understood as an act of total submission.
So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.” (Ruth 3:9)
By asking Boaz to take her under his wing, she boldly asked him to take her in marriage. The phrase can also be translated as “spread the corner of your garment over me.” This was a culturally relevant way to say, “I am a widow, take me as your wife.”
It also shows something else wonderful about Ruth: She based her attraction to Boaz more on respect than on image or appearance. Tragically, many people fall in love with an image or an appearance rather than with a person they can really respect.
In Ezekiel 16:8, God uses the same terminology in relation to Israel: I spread my wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, says the LORD God.
for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. (Ruth 3:11)
How do people see you?
Do you have a reputation for being a virtuous woman?