Women with a Story to Tell: Ruth 4

 The next event in the Naomi and Ruth story reveals again just how far removed their time is from ours. Some people think that we can just read the stories and use our modern understanding to pass judgement or interpret what is happening. Doing that opens ourselves up to misunderstanding rather than proper interpretation. 

 I will give you the text and let you read it.

 Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, “My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” She said to her, “All that you say I will do.” So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had instructed her. (Ruth 3:1-6). 

 Customs and interpretations are never the same from one people to another, nor from one generation to another. We are both separated by culture, we are not Jewish, and by generations. Allowing 30 years for a generation and seeing that this event occurred 3000 years ago, that means it is 100 generations removed from us. And we have trouble understanding grandchildren who are only 2 generations removed from us!

  What happens next shows us that Ruth’s performance is not misunderstood by Boaz who, at any rate, seems to be an upstanding man. 

 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and there, lying at his feet, was a woman! He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant; spread your cloak over your servant, for you are next-of-kin.” He said, “May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter; this last instance of your loyalty is better than the first; you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not be afraid, I will do for you all that you ask, for all the assembly of my people know that you are a worthy woman (Ruth 3:8-11).

 What a refreshing relief from all those awful stories in the Book of Judges in which men acted out of selfish and aggressive motives. 

 Do you see that whatever signals Ruth was giving by her behavior, Boaz understood. Naomi knew her own culture and she knew what she was doing in instructing Ruth. Perhaps that is why ‘Ruth and Naomi’ women’s organizations used to be quite popular in rural churches. Back then the older women instructed the younger women in proper behavior; but that day is long gone.

 Boaz immediately understood that Ruth’s behavior signified a willingness to put herself under Boaz’ protection, most likely as a husband. But, what does he mean that “this last instance of your loyalty is better than the first”? It means that Ruth is assimilating Hebrew culture by following proper etiquette. Boaz confirms this interpretation by complimenting Ruth in that she has “not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.” Ruth is not looking for the sexual laxness that may accompany harvest-time when many young men and young women are camping out in the fields. She is following Hebrew tradition of the time.

 This incident also reveals another fact about Boaz. He is older than Ruth and thus he is probably a widower. So, Ruth’s first instance of loyalty was when she decided to follow Naomi and her God, and take care of Naomi. This instance shows that she is a worthy woman in the eyes of the society; she behaves properly. 

 Things are working out. Are there wedding bells next? No, not yet. Naomi was wrong about Boaz being the ‘nearest next-of-kin’. 

 But now, though it is true that I am a near kinsman, there is another kinsman more closely related than I. Remain this night, and in the morning, if he will act as next-of-kin for you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to act as next-of-kin for you, then, as the LORD lives, I will act as next-of-kin (go-el) for you. Lie down until the morning (Ruth 3:12-13).

 Now it becomes more important that Ruth withdraw without others recognizing her (Ruth 3:14). So, she got up just before dawn and left, but not before Boaz gave her some barley as a gift for Naomi. Kindness and gift-giving are the godly way, and a reminder to us to follow God’s self-emptying self-giving other-embracing love.