Ruth 3:1-18

Necessarily, gleaning as a means of livelihood can last only through harvest time. Consequently, Naomi was anxious about the future, especially Ruth's future.

As the outcome of this anxiety we have the story of her advice to interest Boaz more fully and to bring about a marriage between him and Ruth. Necessarily, the expedient to which she resorted must be judged, as we have so constantly to remember, in the light of her own age. Notwithstanding this, however, it can hardly be characterized as other than doubtful, and on the basis of faith it is difficult to justify it. Yet here again Naomi is seen as acting as the result of an error of judgment rather.than in willful disobedience, and fie overruling love of God moved on to beneficent issue.

One element, and that perhaps the strongest which this venture reveals, is the confidence which Naomi evidently had in Boaz. In order to provide for the future, her appeal should have been made to one nearer of kin, but the whole attitude of Boaz toward Ruth had inspired such confidence in him that it was through him she hoped for succor. On the whole the story of her venture is rather to the credit of Boaz than to that of Naomi and Ruth.