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.
