Ruth 3:1-5
1 Then her mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may go well for you?
2 Now then, is Boaz not our relative, with whose young women you were? Behold, he is winnowing barley at the threshing floor tonight.
3 Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not reveal yourself to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.
4 And it shall be when he lies down, that you shall take notice of the place where he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what you should do.”
5 And she said to her, “All that you say I will do.”
Naomi’s Advice
Grain threshing
The Bible contains many passages that can be misunderstood without the knowledge of the customs of that time. Today’s passage also contains content that could be misunderstood. So, let’s read this passage while confirming the customs of that time. (1) Back then, threshing floors were often located on slightly elevated rocky terrain adjacent to fields. During the time when the morning and evening winds blew, farmers would toss the harvested grain into the air, allowing the wind to separate the chaff from the kernels. The chaff would be carried away by the wind, leaving only the wheat kernels to fall on the rocky ground. For the threshing floor was located outdoors, to prevent theft of the harvested grain, it was necessary for either the hired workers or the owner himself stay overnight to keep watch. (2) Naomi knew that Boaz would be spending the night there. So, she advised Ruth that if Boaz had finished eating his evening meal and gone to sleep, she should quietly approach his feet.
The right of redemption
What might Ruth have felt upon hearing Naomi’s advice? She probably was quite surprised. However, when she heard about the right of redemption, she likely had peace in her heart. (1) The Law of Moses commanded that if a man died childless, the one with the right of redemption should take the widow as his wife to raise up offspring for the deceased (Deut. 25:5-10). Ruth’s husband, Mahlon, had died without leaving a child. This meant that Ruth had the right to demand redemption from Boaz. Understanding this, she replied to her mother-in-law, “All that you say I will do.” (2) Her obedience led to great blessings. Eventually, she married Boaz and bore a son named Obed. From Obed, Jesse was born, and Jesse was the father of David. And from David’s lineage, Jesus was born. Ruth’s obedience is reminiscent of Mary’s when the angel Gabriel announced that she would give birth to Jesus. “Behold, the Lord’s bondservant; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Are you being a vessel the Lord finds easy to use? Let us pray that His will be done in our lives.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, I learned that ordinary women have been used in Your grand story, and that they were obedient. Please give me an obedient heart as well. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.