A Virtuous Woman
Ruth had provided for her mother-in-law by working in the fields, gleaning the barley and wheat which the reapers left behind. In response to this kindness, Naomi wanted to provide security for Ruth. She was a stranger in a foreign land, having no husband or family to care for her.
Thus, Naomi commanded Ruth to adorn herself in her best clothing and to go to the threshing floor where Boaz was working. She instructed,
...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)
Ruth did as Naomi said. At midnight Boaz woke up from his sleep to find a woman lying at his feet. "Who are you?" he asked. In response, the young Moabite woman said,
I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative. (Ruth 3:9)
Boaz commended Ruth, as she continued to impress him with her actions. Instead of seeking after a young man, she came to him. He perceived this to be an act of kind service, not only for Naomi, but for her deceased husband and father-in-law.
He was glad to honour her request. She had earned a reputation in town as the people watched her way of life. All esteemed her as a woman of virtue. Boaz was delighted to take her to be his wife, but there was a relative closer than he, and the custom of the land would have to be observed. She stayed the night, and left before dawn the next morning.
Boaz gave her six ephahs of barley, ministering to her and Naomi's needs. He charged his servants not to let it be known that she had been there.
Having told Naomi what happened at the threshing floor, Ruth was told to wait patiently - Boaz would resolve the matter that day.
Observations & Lessons
When Naomi's world was crumbling, the Lord used Ruth to hold her up. She was her only family after the loss of her husband and sons. She devoted herself to Naomi, worked diligently to provide for their daily needs and was instrumental in returning Naomi's disposition from bitter to pleasant. We all need a Ruth (lit., friend) or Barnabas (lit., son of encouragement) type in our lives from time to time. And may it be that we seek to be one who is a friend and encourages those who are in peril.
“...all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. (Ruth 3:11)”
Now, the time had come for Naomi to do what she could for Ruth. There was a law in Israel whereby if a man died with no sons, his brother (or as the story of Ruth reveals, a close relative) would take his widow to be his wife. Moses said,
...that the firstborn son which she bears will succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out in Israel. (Deuteronomy 25:6)
Naomi sought the security offered in this law for her daughter-in-law. Ruth had cared for her; she wanted assurance that Ruth also would be cared for.
This law, like Proverbs 13:22; 19:14, reveals the need for us to be concerned with the welfare of our family. Likewise, the apostle Paul taught that we ought to care for our relatives, and that one who "does not provide for his own ... has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8).
It delighted Boaz to hear Ruth's request. She might have went out and looked for a young man to be her husband, but she obeyed the voice of Naomi, and in so doing would perpetuate the name of her father-in-law, Elimelech, in Israel. It appears that Naomi was in danger of losing the land belonging to her husband. Ruth's appeal to Boaz was for security for herself in the coming years, but also would save the property of Elimelech for Naomi.
This was yet another example of Ruth's kindness.
Boaz had no hesitation to honour Ruth's request. He and all Bethlehem knew that she was "a virtuous woman" (Proverbs 31:10-31). Proverbs 12:4 says,
An excellent wife is a crown to her husband...
It being past midnight, he didn't send her home, but told her to stay the night. He, being an honourable man, and she being a virtuous woman, it is certain that nothing sinful happened between them. But, to protect their reputation she left before dawn and he commanded his men to not let it be known to any that she had been there.
Next week, we shall see what happens with regard to the closer relative, and see this young woman of Moab etched into the history of Israel forever.
Article Navigation:
Answering The Atheist
Complaint:
Has there ever been a righteous person? Some texts say no (Job 15:14; Isaiah 41:26; 64:6; Romans 3:10), but others say yes (Genesis 7:1; 2 Samuel 22:25; Job 2:3; Psalm 1:5-6; Ecclesiastes 9:1; Ezekiel 14:14,20; Matthew 5:20; 13:17; 23:35; 25:46; Luke 1:6; Hebrews 11:4; James 5:16; 2 Peter 2:5; 7-8). Is there a contradiction?
Response:
That's quite a list. Of course since the Bible reveals that some are righteous (see 'Yes' list), we need only focus on the 'No' list. And for a contradiction to exist, a verse on that list must demonstrate that it is impossible for a person to ever be righteous.
In Job 15:14 Eliphaz asked, 'What is man ... that he could be righteous?' It seems that he does not think man can be righteous, but in Job 1:8; 2:3, God identified Job as a righteous man.
In context, Isaiah 41:26 reveals that none of the Gentile gods could be called righteous or true (Heb. qydu). It is not about men.
Isaiah 64 is a lament by the prophet about the sins of Israel. Once they were righteous, but had turned away from such (verse 5). What they now presented to God as righteousness was not righteous at all, but more akin to filthy rags.
Romans 3:10 quotes both Psalm 14:1 & 53:1. Who is identified as not doing good? Both texts speak of the fool who denies the existence of God. Psalm 14:5 says God is with the righteous.
There is no contradiction.