Elimelech took his wife, Naomi, and their two sons to Moab because a great famine had plagued the land of Judah (Ruth 1:1-2); however, after they arrived in Moab, Elimelech died and left Naomi alone with her two sons (Ruth 1:3). Eventually, Naomi’s two sons married Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth, but the husbands also died leaving Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth as widows (Ruth 1:4-5). Naomi decided to return to Judah and told her daughters-in-law to return to their homes, but Ruth committed to go with Naomi to Bethlehem in Judah (Ruth 1:6-22). Upon their arrival in Bethlehem, Ruth began going to the field of Boaz in order to gather grain that was left for the poor and needy, in accordance with the law of Moses (Ruth 2:1-3). While Ruth was gathering grain in the field, Boaz took notice of her and found out that she was the Moabite woman who returned with Naomi after her husband had died (Ruth 2:4-7). Boaz then spoke with Ruth and told her that she could freely gather grain in his fields (Ruth 2:8-11); in fact, he even requested that the Lord would bless her for her deeds (2:12). Boaz’s kindness overwhelmed Ruth and she was truly humbled by his goodness toward her (2:13-18). When Ruth brought Naomi all the grain she had gathered, Naomi responded with joy and told Ruth to continue gathering grain in the field of Boaz (2:19-23).
Some time later, Naomi felt like it was time for Ruth to establish a new life with a husband and a home (3:1) so Naomi told Ruth to “…take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking. Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go and uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do” (3:3-4, NLT). Ruth’s actions would be understood as a marriage proposal in the customs of the ancient Near East, which was proper since Boaz would have never proposed marriage because of the age difference. Having found favor in the eyes of Boaz, Ruth followed the advice of her mother-in-law and went in to Boaz (3:5-7). Some have suggested that this custom involved sexual advances, but there is no indication that anything sexual took place. At midnight, Boaz was startled and noticed that there was a woman lying at his feet (3:8). After asking about her identity, Ruth revealed herself and asked Boaz to take her under his wing, which means that she asked him to marry her (3:9). Boaz responded to her request with joy, but he also expressed a desire to follow the proper laws in marrying a widow (3:10-11). According to Mosaic law, the closest male relative to Ruth’s deceased husband could rightfully marry her. This practice is called levirate marriage and is described in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. Boaz was aware that he was not the closest relative to Ruth’s deceased husband so he committed to her that he would find out if the closest relative was unable or not willing to fulfill this obligation (3:12-13). If the closest relative was not willing, Boaz made a vow that he would marry her (3:13b). Ruth then lay at his feet that night, but departed early the next morning so that no one would question the morality of the situation (3:14). Before Ruth departed, Boaz sent her away with more grain for her and her mother-in-law (3:15). When Ruth finally returned home, she told Naomi all that had taken place and she said to Ruth, “Just be patient, my daughter, until we hear what happens. The man won’t rest until he has settled things today” (3:18, NLT). Naomi understood that Boaz was a man of his word and she trusted that he would keep his vow.
Dear God, may we be people of our word.
