Ruth 3:6-13

 

I. Verse 6, And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.

A.  Ruth did all that her mother in law asked her to do.  This is good for those under the authority of another to do.

 

II.   Verse 7, And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

A.  Was Boaz guilty of getting drunk?

1.   Luke 21:34 - Do not be overcharged with surfeiting (seizures of pain caused by unruly behavior) and drunkenness.

2.   I do not believe he "over" drunk any more than I believe he "over" ate.

a.   If Boaz was drunk, he wouldn't have had the presence of mind he had when he awoke around midnight, verse 8.

b.   If he had been drunk, when he awoke in the morning, he wouldn't have known if Ruth had truly appeared to him, or if he had dreamed a drunken dream.

B.   What does it mean "his heart was merry"?

1.   It does not mean he got drunk.

2.   Getting drunk does not make the heart merry.

3.   It means he has enjoyed himself at this "threshingfloor party".

4.   The years work has been finished and the work has been well accomplished.

5.   He has had a good time with the work crew and everybody has been paid off.

6.   He is in no danger because he lays down beside the crop to rest.

C.   Masters ought to be "familiar" with those under them.

1.   A "boss" ought to be willing to talk to his "employees".

2.   Boaz was willing to have a good time with his workers.

D.  Staying by the heap of corn.

1.   Shows it was too late to return to Bethlehem.

2.   Shows even though Boaz is rich, he is willing to forego luxury if times call for it.

3.   Shows Boaz is going to protect the grain himself, letting all his employees off for the night.

4.   He isn't too worried about thieves if he thinks he can protect it all himself.

 

III. Verse 8, And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

A.  Midnight.

1.   Went to bed early enough to go through at least one sleep cycle before midnight.

2.   When there is work to do the next day, it's always a good idea to go to bed early.

B.   God woke Boaz up, and allowed him to see Ruth.

1.   Afraid? Of What?

a.   The Bible doesn't say what he was afraid of.

b.   Probably like the fear we sometimes have in the night which wakes us from sleep.

2.   Maybe his feet being uncovered caused him to wake up afraid.

C.   Ruth stayed awake during all this time.

1.   She paid attention to the task at hand.

2.   Compare Abraham in Gen. 15:10,11, who worked to stay awake in order to receive the blessings of the Lord.

3.   There are times today that require us to stay awake in order to receive the blessings of our Lord.  (Like waiting for His return.)

 

IV. Verse 9, And he said, Who <art> thou? And she answered, I <am> Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou <art> a near kinsman.

A.  Ruth, thine handmaid.  She is a maid or servant that has no right to ask Boaz the question she asks because:

1.   She is a Moabite.

2.   She is the daughter in law of Naomi who was married to Elimelech.

3.   Elimelech was wrong to leave Israel and lost his life because of his sin.

4.   His sons married out of the Lord and lost their lives because of their sin.

5.   Note: What right does any sinner have to come before God and ask for protection??  NONE!!

6.   Since we don't have the right to ask for salvation, should we?

a.   Yes, Cornelius (a Gentile), Acts 10, prayed for the blessings of God.

b.   Jesus said, "Ask, seek, and knock".

c.   Ruth asking is a picture of grace.

B.   Compare to Matt. 15:21-28 - A Canaanite woman who desired Jesus to cast the demon out of her daughter.  She admitted she was a dog to the Jews, but a child to Jesus.

1.   This woman was not ashamed to admit what she was.

2.   She received the blessings of the Lord.

3.   If we are proud before the Lord because of what we think we are, we will not receive the blessings of the Lord.

4.   Lost people will remain lost.

C.   Skirt - wing - Matt. 23:37 - Christ desiring to gather Jerusalem under his "wings" (protection).

1.   Ruth is actually proposing marriage.

2.   This is not a brazen act, but an act of grace.

3.   Ruth and Naomi would have been justified in making this all public, but because of grace, they do it privately.

 

V.  Verse 10, And he said, Blessed <be> thou of the LORD, my daughter: <for> thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

A.  Boaz called Ruth "my daughter".  See also verse 11.

B.   Boaz said Ruth showed more kindness in the latter end.

1.   She would not follow her desire if her mother in law objected.

2.   She would marry an older man if this is her parents wish.  (Is Boaz old enough to be her dad?  I don't think so.)

3.   She would yield herself, even in marriage, to the law of the Lord.

C.   Young people must aim, in all of their lives, not so much to please themselves, but to please God and their parents.

 

VI. Verse 11, And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou <art> a virtuous woman.

A.  True beauty is more than skin deep.

1.   Older people respect virtue (power, strength) more than young people.

2.   A person is "growing up" when they know real beauty.

B.   Jacob's lesson.

1.   Gen. 29:15-18 - the description of Lean and Rachel.

a.   Leah is plain looking in the face with a plain figure.

b.   Rachel is pretty in the face with a good figure.

c.   Jacob "fell in love" with Rachel because of her good looks.

d.   Jacob fell in love with Leah because she was the one God really intended him to have.

2.   Gen. 49:31 - When Jacob died, he wanted to be buried with Leah.

a.   He had learned that true beauty was more than skin deep.

b.   He would have saved himself a lot of trouble if he had known that the beginning.

C.   Virtuous woman.

1.   Her virtue (power, strength) took away her poverty and lowly condition.

2.   Prov. 31 - The virtuous woman kept poverty away from her household.

D.  Even if Ruth was ugly, Boaz saw that he could safely trust her.

 

VII.      Verse 12, 13, And now it is true that I <am thy> near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, <that> if he will perform unto thee 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 thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, <as> the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.

A.  Stay tonight.

1.   Not for seduction, but said, "I'll take care of this is the morning."

2.   You can safely trust in me, as I can safely trust in you.

B.   Lie down until the morning.

1.   Also refer to verse 14.

2.   Arose before one could know another.

3.   So she wouldn't be known as "night walker", those that do evil at night.

a.   Ruth wasn't ashamed to reveal her poverty and be a gleaner after the workers of Boaz, but her virtue (purity) meant much to her (and Boaz).  She would keep that intact.

b.   This is good for young people to notice today.  What goes on late at night anyway?  Why do people want to be out real late?  Can they do things then that they can't or won't do in the daytime?