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? Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. V1-2

Naomi is once again concerned with the future and security of Ruth. Remember she tried to get her to go back to her home and find a new husband. Here Naomi once again turns her attention to the future of Ruth and her security.

Could this still be , Naomi has no hope for the future and may be trying to send Ruth off, so Naomi can die and be buried in her hometown. Remember Naomi said to call her Mara, for she felt cursed by God

Naomi brings up Boaz, their Kinsman Redeemer, Naomi doesn’t realize all that already transpired in Chapter 2, we see the provision and sovereignty of God

When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. / But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” Deuteronomy 25:5-10

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. 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.” V3-4

Boaz is out sleeping in the fields to protect his crop from thieves and vandals

Ruth is going to get all dressed up to present herself to Boaz for marriage, the Kinsman Redeemer Covenant

This symbolic action communicates a request for covenant covering:

• In ancient custom, spreading one’s garment signified protection and marriage (Ezekiel 16:8).

• Ruth’s gesture seeks Boaz’s role as kinsman-redeemer, aligning with Deuteronomy 25:5-10.

And she said to her, “All that you say to me I will do.”  So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her.  V5-6

Ruth was being obedient to her mother in law, Naomi, however Naomi didn’t realize Ruth already had Boazs favor and protection. This is a cosmic love story of Gods provision and grace. Remember this a shadow of our relationship with Christ, our Redeemer!

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.  V7

Remember Bethlehem just went through a 7 year famine. Boaz had a good harvest, Gods provision is plentiful, Boaz was cheerful for Gods mercy and provision he offers us, the same Christ does for us!

Boaz went to rest, Ruth will now perform the marriage proposal ritual of laying at his feet. This is not a bizarre act for this cultural context, this is part of the Kinsman Redeemer Covenant

Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. 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.”  v8-9

Ruth not only boldly lays at the feet of Boaz, but then identifies herself. “Take your maidservent under your wing” This is a sign of the covenant protection from God, Ruth is asking Boaz to take her as his wife, for the covenant blessings

“For you are a close relative” She is identifying Boaz as the Kinsman Redeemer of Naomi’s family line. Remember Ruth is a Moabite, so not related by blood line but by marriage as Naomi’s daughter in law

Ruth is a shadow of the Church, the Gentiles coming into Covenant with God through our Redeemer Jesus Christ

“When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord GOD.  Ezekiel 16:8

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  v10

Boaz is aware of all the kindness and loyalty she demonstrated to Naomi, even though she is only her daughter in law, a Gentile, she still refused to abandon Naomi, and provided for her by threshing in Boazs field

Secondly Ruth is willing to fulfill the requirements of the Kinsman Redeemer, which will not only benefit her but Naomi. Boaz points out, you didn’t go after a younger man, maybe even a Gentile, but Boaz doesn’t realize Ruth loves him regardless

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.  V11

Boaz is now going to go make the request to become Ruth’s Kinsman Redeemer, much like Christ is our mediator and represents us before God the Father

Also notice the reference to the Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31, Ruth represents many characteristics of this Bilbical model

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  2 Corinthians 5:21

Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.  v12

Boaz, confirms that He is the Kinsman Redeemer (It is true I am a close relative)

However , here comes the first real challenge of the love story, there is actually another male who is a closer relative to Naomi’s husband , Elimelech. Therefor because Boaz is a righteous man, he will speak to this man to get his approval to become the Kinsman Redeemer

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.”  v13

Even though Boaz wants to be Ruth’s husband, he is willing to do the right thing, he is demonstrating his righteousness, by allowing the other man the opportunity to claim Ruth and their property

Boaz made his intention well known , he wants to be Ruth’s redeemer and husband, but he also put it all in Gods hands “as The Lord lives”

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.”  v14

Boaz did not want any misconception that something immoral happened that night, Boaz and Ruth are both righteous people, so he instructed her to leave before anyone saw her, so there was no speculation about a possible immoral relationship

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.  V15

Boaz is filling Ruth’s shawl with the harvest, this is provision and protection.

6 ephahs could weigh as much as 200 lbs. , regardless its a large amount to show Boaz’s provision to Ruth and Naomi

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.  V16

Remember all of this is leading to Christ, the line of David. So while Naomi is concerned about their own well-being, God has bigger plans, and is working out His will through this love story, Boaz and Ruth

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.’ ”  v17

Notice Boaz not only was providing for Ruth, but also her mother in law,  Naomi , this is the role of Boaz as the Kinsman Redeemer, which is a shadow of Christ, our Redeemer

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.”  v18

Naomi had great faith in Boaz (he will not rest) they both believe and trust in Boaz as their Kinsman Redeemer, much like we need to put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Redeemer

As noted before notice the hope that Naomi is now demonstrating, she went from basically accepting her demise, to now finding a new life and hope in her Redeemer, such as us in Christ!