RUTH MAKES HER PLEA TO BOAZ AS HER NEAR KINSMAN TO FULFIL HIS DUTIES TOWARDS HER. Recognising that Boaz has revealed himself as well-disposed towards them, Naomi now determines to call on him to fulfil the responsibilities of a near kinsman. This would, as he would know (see Ruth 4:3), involve his... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ And Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?” Harvest being over Naomi now decided that it was time to act. She had no doubt observed with interest Boaz's continued generosity towards Ruth, and it had encouraged her to think t... [ Continue Reading ]
“ And now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? See, he winnows barley tonight in the threshing-floor.” She reminds Ruth that the man who had been so kind to her was in fact their kinsman, knowing no doubt that Ruth would recognise the significance of that fact. Furthermore she knew... [ Continue Reading ]
“ Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself, and put your clothes on you, and get you down to the threshing-floor, but do not make yourself known to the man, until he has done eating and drinking.” Ruth was therefore to wash herself, and anoint herself with oil, and then dress and go down to the... [ Continue Reading ]
“ And it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall mark the place where he shall lie, and you will go in, and uncover his feet, and lay yourself down, and he will tell you what you shall do.” But once he laid himself down to sleep Ruth was to mark where he lay down (darkness would be approaching)... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ And she said to her, “All that you say I will do.” Obedient to here mother-in-law as always, Ruth consented to do what Naomi had asked.... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ And she went down to the threshing-floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her.' Once again it is emphasised that Ruth did as she was bidden. The writer wants it to be clear that Ruth was not self-seeking. She was obedient to the customs of her new people. So she went down to... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain, and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid herself down.' There would be a good number of people present for the threshing, and all these would join in the feasting, and the... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ And it came about at midnight, that the man was fearful, and turned himself, and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.' By this time it would be quite dark, and thus when Boaz awoke, and was conscious of someone lying at his feet he was a little apprehensive. Turning he noted that it was a woman. Not... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ And he said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your handmaid. Spread therefore the edge of your robe over your handmaid, for you are a near kinsman.” So he asked, quite startled, ‘Who are you?' And Ruth replied ‘I am Ruth your handmaid.' As we have seen previously to call herself his han... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ And he said, “Blessed be you of YHWH, my daughter. You have shown more kindness (love) in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as you did not follow young men, whether poor or rich.” Boaz was moved that such a presentable young woman should be willing to become his wife. It is apparent t... [ Continue Reading ]
“ And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do to you all that you say, for all the city (literally ‘the gate') of my people know that you are a worthy woman.” He then assured her that as far as it lay within his power he would do what she had requested, because she had a reputation among all t... [ Continue Reading ]
“ And now it is true that I am a near kinsman. However, there is a kinsman nearer than I.” Boaz, however, now drew attention to a problem There was a nearer kinsman than himself. In view of the fact that Ruth was seeking to produce children on behalf of her dead husband it had to be through the nea... [ Continue Reading ]
“ Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform to you 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 you, then I will do the part of a kinsman to you, as YHWH lives. Lie down until the morning.” Boaz then told... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ And she lay at his feet until the morning. And she rose up before one was able to discern another. For he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing-floor.” However, in view of the fact that she might be offered to another he clearly felt that it was necessary to be discreet.... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ And he said, “Bring the mantle that is on you, and hold it.” And she held it. And he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her. And he went into the city.' But before she went he told her to hold her mantle in such a way that she could receive a gift, and he measured out six measures of... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “Who are you, my daughter?” And she told her all that the man had done to her.' When she arrived home Naomi asked her, ‘Who are you my daughter?' It was possibly intended to be an enquiry as to whether her status had changed. Was she still Ruth th... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ And she said, “He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said, “Do not go empty to your mother-in-law.” Ruth then produced the six measures of barley explaining that Boaz had said, “Do not go empty to your mother-in-law.” We must almost certainly see, in view of the next verse, that Naomi r... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ Then said she, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will fall, for the man will not rest, until he has finished the thing this day.' So Naomi told Ruth to sit quietly and await the outcome, for she was now sure that Boaz would not rest until he had sorted mattes out one way or t... [ Continue Reading ]