1 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?
2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
3 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.
4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
7 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.
8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
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.
10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
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.
12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The book of Ruth is a beautiful and inspiring story of love, loyalty, and redemption. It is a tale of two widows, Ruth and Naomi, who face numerous challenges but ultimately find hope and happiness through their faithfulness to God. The book is set during the time of the Judges in Israel, a period of great turmoil and disobedience to God. Despite this, the book of Ruth shows that even in the darkest times, God is still at work, fulfilling His plans and purposes.
The first chapter of Ruth introduces us to the main characters and sets the stage for the rest of the story. We are introduced to Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Due to a famine in Bethlehem, the family moves to Moab, a neighboring country. Sadly, Elimelech dies, leaving Naomi a widow. Mahlon and Chilion marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah, but tragically, both sons also die, leaving the three women alone.
Chapter 2 of Ruth tells the story of how Ruth, a Moabite woman, chooses to stay with Naomi and follow her God. She meets Boaz, a wealthy landowner and relative of Naomi, who shows her kindness and generosity. Boaz allows Ruth to glean in his fields, providing her with food and protection. This chapter also introduces the theme of redemption, as Boaz is a type of Christ, who will redeem and restore Ruth and Naomi.
Chapter 3 of Ruth continues the story of Ruth and Naomi, as they take bold steps towards their future. This chapter is full of symbolism and foreshadowing, and it reveals the heart of Ruth and Boaz. The main themes of this chapter include loyalty, faith, trust, and redemption.
Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi is evident throughout the book, and it is especially highlighted in this chapter. In Verse 1, Naomi tells Ruth that she must find a resting place for her, and she encourages her to seek out Boaz, who is a close relative and has the right to redeem them. Ruth immediately obeys and goes to Boaz’s field, showing her loyalty to Naomi and her willingness to follow her instructions.
In Verse 5, Ruth tells Naomi that she will do whatever she tells her, showing her unwavering loyalty and commitment. This loyalty is further demonstrated in Verses 6-9 when Ruth follows Naomi’s instructions and goes to Boaz at night. This act of approaching Boaz in the dark reveals Ruth’s bravery and her deep love and devotion to Naomi.
Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi is a beautiful example of how we should love and serve others. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi goes beyond their familial relationship; it is a demonstration of her faithfulness to God and her willingness to put others before herself.
Ruth and Naomi’s faith and trust in God are also evident in this chapter. In Verse 1, Naomi tells Ruth that God has not forgotten them and that He will provide for them. This statement shows their unwavering trust in God, even in the midst of their difficult circumstances.
In Verse 18, Naomi tells Ruth to wait patiently for Boaz to fulfill his promise to redeem them. This demonstrates their faith that God will work everything out according to His plan and timing. It also shows their trust in Boaz, who has proven himself to be a man of integrity and kindness.
Ruth and Naomi’s faith and trust in God are a reminder to us that even in the midst of difficult and uncertain times, we can have peace and hope because of our faith in God. They show us that when we trust in God and His plans, He will provide for us and guide us through any situation.
The theme of redemption runs throughout the book of Ruth, and it is especially evident in this chapter. In Verse 9, Ruth asks Boaz to “spread your covering over your servant,” a symbolic request for Boaz to marry her and take her under his protection. This request is significant because it is a foreshadowing of Christ’s redemption of us, His bride.
In Verses 10-13, Boaz promises to redeem Ruth and Naomi and to take care of them. He is a kinsman-redeemer, a relative who has the right and responsibility to redeem his family members in times of need. Boaz’s act of redemption foreshadows Christ’s ultimate redemption of us through His death on the cross.
Boaz’s redemption of Ruth and Naomi brings meaning and hope to their story. It shows God’s faithfulness and provision, and it also points to the ultimate redemption and restoration we can find in Christ.
Chapter 3 of Ruth is a beautiful and significant part of the overall story. It shows us the unwavering loyalty, faith, and trust of Ruth and Naomi and the redemption that comes through their actions. This chapter reminds us that even in the darkest times, God is still at work, fulfilling His plans and purposes.
Furthermore, Chapter 3 also points us to the ultimate redemption and restoration that we can find in Christ. Through Boaz’s act of redemption, we see a foreshadowing of Christ’s redemption of us through His death on the cross. It reminds us that no matter what we may face in life, we have hope and salvation in Jesus Christ.
Chapter 3 of Ruth also shows us the importance of following God’s will and trusting in His timing. Ruth and Naomi’s faith and trust in God are a powerful example for us to follow, and their story reminds us that when we trust in God, He will guide us and provide for us in ways we could never imagine.
In conclusion, Chapter 3 of the book of Ruth is a beautiful and significant part of the overall story. It highlights the themes of loyalty, faith, trust, and redemption and shows us the unwavering faith and trust of Ruth and Naomi. It also points us to the ultimate redemption and restoration we can find in Christ. This chapter is a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and love for His people, and it encourages us to trust in Him and His plans for our lives.
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