Study 7 – The Lord is recognised in others
Read Ruth 3
Introduction
This is a longer study because it is an important part of the story: it is about redemption. Take your time with it.
Naomi and Ruth have satisfied the immediate need of food and now Naomi turns to longer-term needs, that of domestic security through the marriage of Ruth. It has been suggested that 3.1-8 are the core of the book. Chapters 1 & 2 lead up to this plan and the remainder of chapter 3 and chapter 4 show it’s outworking.
V1 Naomi’s plan to find a husband for Ruth was selfless. It was she who had the legal expectation of marrying a near-relative. The Law of Moses had widened out from a brother of the deceased husband to marry the widow to any male who was a near relative (see Deuteronomy 25.5-9, the “kinsman-redeemer”).
V12 Our hopes for Ruth have risen as we read chapter 2 and the beginning of chapter 3. The author introduces tension into the story. Naomi knew that Boaz was not next in line and that he had a soft spot for Ruth (as we saw in chapter 2). Is her plan going to go wrong? The near relative was not Boaz, but some other man who is not named.
Consider: how good is the church at taking care of those left alone by the death of a spouse, or other near relation? (James 1.27). Is there someone in our church to whom you could show Christian love?
Vv4,7 The plan to go and lie next to Boaz was not in the least improper. It is here again where we recognise the Lord in the actions and words of the main characters of the story. The threshing floor was a public place, occupied by men and women, and families. It certainly was not the place for any hanky-panky!
To uncover Boaz’ feet meant that she would take off his cloak or blanket and lay it upon herself. I do not think that the reason he was startled (v8) was because his feet got cold. In fact, as the story proceeds, rather than him getting ‘cold feet’ and not marrying Ruth he shows he has a very warm heart. “This was a symbolic way of requesting Boaz's protection as her husband… It was an encouragement to pursue the possibility of marriage.”[1] This idea of a covering is mentioned earlier, see 2.12 and 3.9. The same Hebrew word means both wing or corner of a garment. Quite clearly, she was saying that the Lord’s protection was to be found in Boaz. She saw in him the good and kind nature of the Lord in whom she had come to trust.
Boaz was an embodiment of the Lord’s character[2]. The Lord was recognisable in Boaz’ loving and selfless actions. He was being a redeemer. Here, Ruth expressed a desire for Boaz’ cloak to be wrapped around her (wings in 3.9) in covenant marriage.
Read these lovely words from the Lord, speaking of his chosen people, Ezekiel 16.8, and Psalm 17.8. In Psalm 36.7 you will see a combining both the Lord’s hesed (steadfast love) and his wings/covering.
These find a ‘landing-place’ in the ministry of our Saviour Jesus. Read Matthew 23.37. There is nothing lacking in the desire of the Saviour to embrace all. The problem is that so many were not willing.
Consider: to live under the Lord’s wings is safety and refuge Ps 61.4; 91.4. To be in the shadow of the Lord’s wings is joy indeed Ps 63.7. Pause for a moment and thank the Lord Jesus for his loving care of you.
The idea of the Lord’s wings or covering is mentioned so, so many times in the Bible.
Comparing Scripture with Scripture fills out what is going on here in the book of Ruth. Our author expects us to know these things. And although Ruth was written before the time of the main psalmist, David, and much other Scripture, this idea must clearly have been understood to be part of the Lord’s character.
Ruth, apart from expressing the desire to be redeemed/saved, demonstrated the character of the Lord herself. Boaz saw that same grace of the Lord in her: kindness. They both evidenced hesed (2.20; 3.10). The Lord was recognizable in them.
Consider: how do I show hesed towards my brothers and sisters in Christ.? How do I show the Lord’s kindness to others in my day to day life?
This is the characteristic of God we see in this chapter, as it is expressed through the words and actions of Boaz and Ruth.
· God is recognised in the conduct of these, his people.
· God is recognised in the conduct of us, his people.
When we demonstrate selfless hesed and embrace others in genuine Christian love we demonstrate our God – even to a world, as Jesus knew, that so often is not willing.
Perhaps this loyal love and kindness of our God is not much impressed upon modern believers. It is an aspect of his nature that we need to recover, focus upon, and rejoice over.
Of course, this loyal love and kindness – which is fully represented in God’s grace – is only available for our experience when we trust in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. Or, perhaps better in this context, our Lord and Redeemer.
Consider: how the Lord’s nature is observed through the words and conduct of us, his people. What a high and holy calling we have!
V13 We considered something of this in Study 4, when we thought of how the Lord approves loyalty. If God honours us with his faithfulness then he expects us to be faithful as well.
Boaz expressed an unequivocal commitment to Ruth. Similarly, the Lord expects commitment from us. Here are Boaz and Ruth talking about hesed – loyal love and kindness and then we find Boaz calling upon God to witness his faithfulness and commitment to his word. He promised to marry Ruth if the nearer kinsman chose not to exercise his right to do so. We see this worked out in chapter 4, and we shall be looking at how the Lord blesses families, gives life, and cares for the vulnerable in the next study.
Had Boaz not carried out what he said it would have been a violation of the third commandment, You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain (Exodus 20.7). God expects us to honour our commitment to the words we utter. Particularly is this so in our Christian life. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay (Ecclesiastes 5.5).
When we made our profession of repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ at our baptism, or the personal taking up the promises made on our behalf, we made a solemn vow to perform the duty (Boaz). When we received the right hand of fellowship as we joined our church, we covenanted before God and with one another to be loyal and committed to all the work, witness, and worship of our community of faith.
· Let us refresh our minds about these things.
· Let us ask how committed we have been to our former words.
· Let us resolve to renew our commitment because of God’s hesed.
It is part of the Lord’s nature to honour commitment. Just flip over to the next book, 1 Samuel. Eli’s sons were anything but loyal and committed to the house of God and his true service (1 Samuel 2.17). So the Lord chastises both their father and them because he expected commitment to him (1 Sam 2.30-36).
Consider: we have considered the love and faithfulness of our Lord. He expects us to show the same thorough-going commitment in our Christian and church life. Nothing less than 100% of you and 100% of me is expected. If Jesus, the Lord of glory, our Redeemer came not to be served to be served and to give his life as a ransom for many can we do any less?
Pray: God of covenant grace I desire to show more hesed this week than last in all that I do and say. I want to demonstrate that I am part of your redeemed people, please help to do this, for the honour of the Head of the church, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Michael S. Bostock, October 2020.
[1] Hubbard, quoted by Dr. Thomas L. Constable, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dcc/ruth-3.html
[2] ESV Study Bible