Redemption Assured, Part 3
Ruth 3:1-18
Long before the harvest ended and the threshing process began, Boaz was enamored with Ruth. Naomi kept a watchful eye on the situation knowing Boaz close relationship to the family of Elimelech gave him the right to marry Ruth to keep Elimelech’s family inheritance intact. Custom however, required Mahlon’s widow to make the first move.
Naomi strikes while the iron is hot, “Ruth, wash and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor. Hide until Boaz finishes his evening meal. When he lays down, go and uncover his feet. When you do that, Boaz will know what it means and tell you what to do next.”
Ruth went down to the threshing floor and waited until Boaz laid down for the night. Ruth quietly uncovered his feet and lay down. Startled, Boaz called out “Who are you?” Ruth answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take me under your wing, for you are a close relative.”
Boaz was over the moon! Ruth had come to ask him to take her as wife. Boaz was older and knew she could choose any of the young men but chose him above them all. Ruth won his heart but there was an obstacle Boaz would have to overcome to win Ruth’s hand in marriage.
“Ruth, it’s true I am a close relative however, there is one closer than I. Stay this night, and in the morning, it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you, good. Let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you as the Lord lives!