Archive for the 'Ruth' Category

Ruth 4:18f

Published on April 18, 2010 in Ruth. 0 Comments
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18 Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; 19 Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab; 20 Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; 21 Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; 22 Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.
 
Now we come to the epilogue of the book of Ruth. The purpose of this genealogy is to demonstrate that God provides for the lineage of the Messiah. There are 10 generations in this genealogy.
4:18 Now this is the genealogy of Perez:
Perez’s genealogy documents God’s providential care. It is clear that God providentially guides in the lives of the people of the book of Ruth. As God worked through Perez’s line, so He worked through Boaz’s line. Ultimately God worked through Boaz and Ruth so that the Messiah would come from Boaz’s line.
Perez begot Hezron;
Hezron was from the family of Jacob that went to Egypt (Ge 46:12; cf. Mt 1:3).
4:19 Hezron begot Ram,
First Chronicles 2:9 refers to Ram. 
And Ram begot Amminadab;
Amminadab was the father-in-law of Aaron (Ex. 6:23).
4:20 Amminadab begot Nahshon,
Nahshon headed the house of Judah (Nu 1:7; 7:12; 10:14).
And Nahshon begot Salmon;
Salmon was the father of Boaz (Mt 1:5).
4:21 Salmon begot Boaz,
Boaz’s ancestress was Rahab, the Canaanite harlot in Jericho.
and Boaz begot Obed;
Obed was the son of Boaz and Ruth.
4:22 Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.
Obed became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David (1 Sa 16:1-13). Matthew traces Jesus’ lineage to David (Mt 1:1-16; 15:22; 20:30-31; 21:9, 15; 22:42).
Ro 1: 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh . . .
2 Ti 2: 8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel . . .
Re 22: 16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
PRINCIPLE: God will ultimately fulfill His purpose in time and space.
APPLICATION: One day Jesus, the Kinsman-Redeemer, will sit on the throne of David (2 Sa 7:12-16; Re 20:4-6). He will do what Adam (first theocratic king) failed to do—become a theocratic King (one who rules for God) who conquers evil and fulfills God’s purpose for time.
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Ruth 4:13f

Published on April 17, 2010 in Ruth. 0 Comments
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13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
 
4:13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.
After Boaz married Ruth, he “went in to her”; that is, he had sexual intercourse with her. Ruth was barren with her husband who had died (Mahlon). She may have been married in Moab for 10 years, but within a very short time in Israel she became pregnant. This was a move of God.
4:14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative;
The women in Bethlehem praised what God did for Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi. God had provided the kinsman-redeemer in Boaz and also in Ruth’s child, Obed, who would be the next kinsman-redeemer; we see this in the words “this day.” The women saw the coming Redeemer with the birth of this child (through his genealogy).
and may his name be famous in Israel!
The women prayed that God would make Obed “famous in Israel” by keeping his name alive, a request that God granted through the birth of the Messiah in Obed’s line.
4:15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you,
The women anticipated that Obed would care for Naomi.
who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.”
“Seven sons” is an idiom for supreme blessing. Ruth and her son would become a supreme blessing to Naomi.
4:16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him.
The mother-in-law became a nurse for Ruth’s son and her grandson, Obed.
4:17 Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.”
This is the only place in the Old Testament where women, other than the mother, name a child.
And they called his name Obed.
The name “Obed” means the one who serves or worships.
He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
This statement is a climax of the book of Ruth. The historical significance of Obed’s birth is in his lineage, through which both David and Jesus would be born. The child became the grandfather of King David.
PRINCIPLE: God sovereignly and providentially provides a Redeemer.
APPLICATION: God sovereignly provided His plan of salvation by a Redeemer. He manages people, places, and events to bring His plan to individuals. The primary onus of bringing salvation to people is upon God. He knows each individual’s needs and situations, and uses these life issues to draw all men to Himself.
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Ruth 4:9f

Published on April 16, 2010 in Ruth. 0 Comments
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9 And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi. 10 Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day.” 11 And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman.”
 
4:9 And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi.
Boaz received the right of redemption. Now that the transfer of rights for Ruth was given to Boaz, all the responsibilities of redemption lay on him. Boaz addressed both the public and the elders, indicating that they were witnesses to the transaction.
4:10 Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day.”
Ruth was the only widow alive capable of birthing a son. This would continue the posterity of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, and his son Mahlon (Ruth’s husband). This was the motivation behind Boaz’s purchase of the rights to Ruth. His primary interest was in Ruth rather than in the rights to the estate. However, he was also interested in preventing Elimelech’s name from disappearing without progeny.
4:11 And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses.
Now we turn to the public response to Boaz’s challenge. The elders witnessed the redemption transaction.
The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.
They asked the Lord to bless Ruth’s posterity. They wanted her to have a large number of offspring, as Rachel and Leah had had. The word “prosper” means valor, worth. The people at the gate expressed their concern for Boaz and the posterity of Ruth.
The elders and others sitting at the gate asked Jehovah to give Ruth a place among the matriarchs of Israel (Rachel and Leah). After Jacob married Rachel and Leah, they became the mothers of the 12 tribes of Israel. The prayer was that Ruth would be fertile and produce many children.
Ephrathah is another name for Bethlehem. The elders prayed that Boaz would be held in high regard in Bethlehem.
12 May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah,
“Perez” is a good comparison because (1) he was an ancestor of Boaz, (2) Tamar bore him by Judah (by pretending to be a prostitute) as a surrogate father after the death of her husband, and (3) Perez had an unbroken line of male descendants (vv. 18-22; cf. Gen 38). The point of comparison between Ruth and Tamar is the levirate marriage. Judah, the father Perez, became the head of a host of clans including Boaz’s clan.
because of the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman.”
The elders also prayed that the progeny of Boaz would abound. They had no idea how this prayer would ultimately be fulfilled—the Messiah of Israel would come through his line!
PRINCIPLE: There is no barrier between us and God because Jesus reconciled us to God.
APPLICATION: Ruth’s status as a Moabite did not daunt Boaz from marrying her. As that was true of Boaz’s relationship to Ruth, so it is also true of God’s relation to us. There is no barrier between us and God because Jesus removed it by His sacrifice for our sin.
Reconciliation is change from the status of enemy to friend. By Christ’s death, God reconciled us from being His enemy to being His friend.
Ro 5: 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
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Ruth 4:7f

Published on April 15, 2010 in Ruth. 0 Comments
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7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel. 8 Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal.
 
Now we come to the formal agreement that Boaz would be the kinsman-redeemer. Verses seven and eight are a parenthetical commentary concerning an ancient legal custom for a legal transaction.
4:7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel.
To seal the deal, Boaz and his relative performed a symbolic act. The passing of the sandal symbolized transference of property from one to another. This was a legally binding act.
4:8 Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal.
The legal court proceedings deal was now finalized. By taking off his sandal and handing it to Boaz, the other relative symbolized his abdication of his rights as redeemer and transferred it to Boaz, the next in line.
PRINCIPLE: Jesus our Redeemer made our salvation legally binding with God.
APPLICATION: Redemption has to do with paying a ransom price for sin. Jesus paid for our deliverance from both our personal sin and the capacity to sin. He discharged us from the slavery to sin.
Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
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Ruth 4:1f

Published on April 14, 2010 in Ruth. 0 Comments
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1 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, “Come aside, friend, sit down here.” So he came aside and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3 Then he said to the close relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. 4 And I thought to inform you, saying, ‘Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.’ ” And he said, “I will redeem it.” 5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance.” 6 And the close relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”
 
This chapter deals with the legal resolution of who should be the kinsman-redeemer for Ruth.
4:1 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative [redeemer] of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, “Come aside, friend, sit down here.” So he came aside and sat down.
Boaz made arrangement for the redemption of Ruth by going to the town “gate.” This was where official business took place. The first in line to redeem sat down to negotiate with Boaz.
4:2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.
Boaz called 10 elders of Bethlehem to adjudicate the kinsman-redeemer of Ruth.  
4:3 Then he said to the close relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech.
It is difficult to determine the nature of Naomi’s sale of land. She may have been selling the property rights to some land owned by her husband, Elimelech (10 years had elapsed). However, it is more probable that she held only the right to use the land until she remarried or died. Since she held the right to use the land, she had the right to buy it back from the present owner. Therefore, she disposed of the right of redemption.
4:4 And I thought to inform you, saying, ‘Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.’ ” And he said, “I will redeem it.”
The next of kin relative agreed to purchase the land.
4:5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance.”
The first person in line to act as redeemer for Ruth, if he chose to activate his right, must both acquire the property plus function as the kinsman-redeemer (by marriage) of Ruth. This action preserved the genealogical line through the levirate law and maintenance of the patrimonial estate by the kinsman-redeemer.
4:6 And the close relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance.
The next-in-line kinsman-redeemer deemed that he would “ruin” his inheritance if he married Ruth. He refused the right of purchase.
You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”
 
The next of kin gave Boaz the right of redemption. This public transaction made it official and legal.
 
PRINCIPLE: Jesus paid the price legally for the penalty of sin.
APPLICATION: Every person born intothis world is under slavery to sin and Satan (Eph 2:1-3). Each is unable to free himself from this slavery. Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for our sin (Mark 10:45). Trust in Him sets the slave free from the penalty of sin.
Eph 1: 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace . . .
He 9: 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
1 Pe 1: 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
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Ruth 3:14f

Published on April 13, 2010 in Ruth. 0 Comments
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14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, “Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 Also he said, “Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.” And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city. 16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “Is that you, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her. 17 And she said, “These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, ‘Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’ ” 18 Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”
 
3:14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, “Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”
 
Ruth lay at Boaz’s feet until morning but arose before anyone could recognize her on the threshing floor next to Boaz. This was to protect her from gossip. Boaz had a reputation to protect as well.
 
3:15 Also he said, “Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.” And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.
 
Boaz gave Ruth a gift of 60 pounds of barley before she left for Bethlehem.
 
3:16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “Is that you, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her.
 
Naomi was eager to know the results of Ruth’s venture to propose marriage to Boaz. Ruth relayed all the events between her and Boaz, and that he had accepted her proposal of marriage.
 
3:17 And she said, “These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, ‘Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’ ”
 
Boaz indicated to Ruth that the barley was for her mother-in-law, Naomi.
 
3:18 Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”
 
Naomi and Ruth left the initiative with Boaz. Boaz was to resolve the issue that very day.
PRINCIPLE: Jesus voluntarily accepted the role of Redeemer for us.
APPLICAITION: Jesus accepted the role of the Redeemer for each one of us. The word redemption means to purchase out of a slave market. Jesus purchased us out of the slave market of sin.
Ephesians 1: 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
It was the blood of Jesus that paid the ransom for our sin. By doing this, God forgave our sins. All of this is the result of God’s grace, not our merit. Jesus was the willing Redeemer. He did it because He loved us.
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Ruth 3:12f

Published on April 11, 2010 in Ruth. 0 Comments
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12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13 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! Lie down until morning.”
 
There was a complication before Boaz could marry Ruth. Under the levirate laws of the Mosaic Law, there was a sequence of authority regarding who could marry under the principle of the kinsman-redeemer. 
3:12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.
Boaz had to check with the closer relative to see whether he wanted to execute the levirate marriage option. Boaz must have already considered the matter before Ruth made her proposal, for he knew that he was not the closest relative.
3:13 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.
Boaz indicated that if the closer relative wanted to execute the levirate marriage option, then the closer relative was to marry her.
But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning.”
Should the closer relative not want to execute the option, then he would marry Ruth himself. The phrase “as the LORD lives” indicates a vow that he himself would fulfill the option. Boaz kept the legal and social customs of Israel.
PRINCIPLE: True character follows the law not out of obligation but out of principle.
APPLICATION: Boaz followed the prescriptions of the levirate marriage (Dt 25:5-10). God’s covenant with Israel was enough for him to know what to do. He operated on the principles of Scripture as his mode of operation.
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Ruth 3:8f

Published on April 10, 2010 in Ruth. 0 Comments
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8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.” 10 Then he said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.
 
3:8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet.
In the middle of the night, Boaz “was startled” (literally shivered) due to the chilly night air.
3:9 And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant.
The word “maidservant” is a more elevated term for female servant than the word used in 2:13. In 2:13 Ruth used a term that emphasized her humility, but here she used the higher term because she was aware of Boaz’s role as a close relative. Ruth recognized her place in the social structure.
Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.”
Taking a maidservant “under your wing [skirt]” was idiomatic for a marriage proposal from Ruth. The term “close relative” is go’el,translated redeemer. Boaz functioned here as a guardian of family interests by caring for widows of deceased relatives. The spreading of Boaz’s robes over Ruth was symbolic for his making a covenant for marriage. He would protect her in marriage.
Boaz recognized Ruth’s appeal as a request for marriage and not solicitation for sex.
3:10 Then he said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter [reminder of their age difference]! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich.
Boaz responded that this act of Ruth was better than her care of Naomi in her old age. She could have stayed in Moab with her own culture and relatives. This act of devotion to the line of her father-in-law, Elimelech, was an act of sacrifice; she could have married a younger or richer man.
 
3:11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.
Boaz’s response was to accept her marriage proposal if the necessary legal course was completed. Everyone in town knew that Ruth was a woman of strong character. The term “virtuous woman” is used of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:10. These are not the words of a man seduced by a woman in the middle of the night.
PRINCIPLE: Maturity of character is important to a stable marriage.
APPLICATION: I used to say to young couples considering marriage that the best thing they offered their mates (outside of spiritual considerations) was their own maturity. Mature people know their strengths and weaknesses. They operate on their strengths and take account of their weaknesses. Weak people are accusatory because they do not have confidence in their strengths. They shift blame and transfer problems to others. No wonder a virtuous wife is far above rubies.
Proverbs 31: 10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
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Ruth 3:3f

Published on April 9, 2010 in Ruth. 0 Comments
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3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 Then 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.” 5 And she said to her, “All that you say to me I will do.” 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. 7 And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.
 
3:3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.
Naomi suggested to Ruth that she prepare herself for an encounter with Boaz. These instructions were to make Ruth as attractive to Boaz as possible. She was not to make herself known until after supper.
3:4 Then 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.”
Naomi told Ruth to lie down near Boaz (in a public place) after supper. She was to uncover his feet and lie there. This was a ceremonial act which asked for Boaz’s protection in marriage. Boaz would tell Ruth what to do as a result of this ceremonial act.
3:5 And she said to her, “All that you say to me I will do.”
Ruth indicated that she would do what Naomi suggested.
3:6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her.
Ruth now carried out preparation for redemption.
3:7 And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful [not drunk], he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.
Ruth did not do anything immoral here. Nothing in the passage suggests that idea; after all, it happened in a public place. This was a marriage proposal. Naomi had confidence in Boaz’s protection of Ruth sexually. He had the opportunity to reject this proposal of marriage in secret.
The delicacy of Naomi’s plan was patent. The possibility was great that her suggestion to Ruth would fail—that Boaz might interpret this nonverbal gesture in a negative way. This was true even with Boaz’s favorable actions towards her previously. Ruth was vulnerable both in her motives and her actions. She was willing to let Boaz discharge his opportunity to operate as kinsman-redeemer.
PRINCIPLE: Faith always grows when we act on God’s promises.
APPLICATION: Our faith grows as we take risks for the glory of God. As Ruth claimed Boaz to be her kinsman-redeemer, so we must claim by faith the promises of God.
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Ruth 3:1f

Published on April 8, 2010 in Ruth. 0 Comments
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1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.
 
3:1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?
Naomi now resolved to find security for her daughter-in-law through marriage. Naomi used the affectionate term “my daughter.” Previously Ruth resigned herself to not marrying again in order to take care of Naomi. Marriage was now again a possibility.
3:2 Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative?
That Boaz was a relative of both Naomi and Ruth made his becoming a kinsman-redeemer a possibility for Ruth. The kinsman-redeemer was the next of kin willing to marry the widow in order to perpetuate her husband’s lineage (levirate marriage).
By sending Ruth to Boaz (instead of going herself), Naomi waived her rights over Ruth and pleaded Ruth’s case to Boaz.
In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.
Because Boaz had openness towards Ruth, Naomi suggested Ruth go to his threshing floor. A threshing floor was a public place where harvesters separated the grain from chaff by throwing grain in the air so that the chaff would blow away. Boaz slept near the grain to protect it.
The threshing floor was a public place, so it was not improper for both Ruth and Boaz to sleep in this location.
PRINCIPLE: Those who wish to have a believing mate must put themselves in places where believers are.
APPLICATION: If a person goes to a bar to find a mate, there is likelihood that they will find a promiscuous person. Location matters. Who wants to marry a promiscuous person? We never know whether, once married, they will be immoral still. There are promiscuous people in church; however, there is much greater likelihood that we can find people with fidelity there. 
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