Before coming to chapter 3 - let’s review a bit and make sure we’re all up to speed on where we’ve been these past 2 Sundays.

The account of Ruth takes place “in the days when the Judges ruled.”  Which - as Judges 21:25 describes it - we saw was a time in Israel’s history when pretty much everyone pretty much did whatever everyone pretty much felt like doing.  “Relative morality” - which is pretty rampant in our society today.

We’ve been looking at the history of one family.  Elimelech - the patriarch - during a time of famine - trusting himself rather than trusting God - Elimelech takes his family to Moab.  Moab being a land cursed by God.  There were generations of bad blood between Israel and Moab.  Moab was a perverse culture.  In Moab they worshipped the demon Chemosh.  Think child sacrifice.  Pretty horrible stuff.

In Moab the men die leaving Naomi and her two daughter-in-laws Ruth and Orpah as widows.  When Naomi hears that God is blessing back in Bethlehem she and Ruth move to Bethlehem.  We’ve seen in that - Ruth who was born and raised in Moab - Ruth has turned from being a worshipper of Moab’s god Chemosh to a follower of Israel’s God - Yahweh.

At the beginning of chapter 2 Ruth - because she is full of hope and trust in Yahweh - unlike Naomi who’s bitter and angry at God - Ruth - trusting God - Ruth decides to head out into the fields to glean.  To trust God - Yahweh - to provide for their needs.  By God’s sovereign working - Ruth just “happens” to end up in the field of Boaz.

Where she is treated like an object.  The assumption of the workers being that she is a perverse thing from Moab.  Ruth is harassed sexually.  But Boaz steps in and protects her - provides for her - and a relationship begins to develop.

We’re pretty much together.  Right?

In 2:1 we saw Boaz described as a “worthy” man.  Which in Hebrew - “worthy” - is two words put together to describe Boaz.  The first Hebrew word describes Boaz as a mighty warrior - a man of valor and power.  The second Hebrew word describes him as having exceptional ability and character in social situations.  Putting those two words together - Boaz is a man of exceptional strength and character - a “worthy” man.

Boaz is a man’s man.  By the working of God within him - because He’s focused on God - he knows the right thing to do at the right time in the right way and he is willing to stand up without compromise and do it.  We saw that worthiness demonstrated as Boaz - God’s manly man - in the way that Boaz treats Ruth. 

Boaz treats Ruth with “kindness.”  Which is in Hebrew is a word that we looked at.  Remember the word? “hesed.”

“Hesed” is hard to translate into English.  But basically it describes a devoted persevering committed love that’s expressed in undeserved grace and mercy and kindness.  The kind of persistent devoted love that Israel’s God - Yahweh - shows His people despite themselves.  The “hesed” behind the love of God that sends Jesus to the cross for us.

That’s how Boaz treats this young widow woman from Moab who’s out gleaning in his field.  We’re pretty much together.  Right?

That’s a lot.  But important for us to have in mind if we’re going to grab what’s going on here in chapter 3. 

Chapter 3 takes place about 6 weeks later.  Between chapter 2 and chapter 3, Ruth has continued to go to Boaz’s field - to glean.  Boaz has continued to protect and provide for Ruth.  To bless her again and again.  God - through Boaz - pouring out His “hesed” love on Ruth.

Chapter 3 is focused on that God driven “hesed” love.  Going one step further.  What does it mean for us to be loved by God like that?  What does it mean for us to love others with that quality of God driven “hesed” love?

We’re going to look at a video which may be kinda familiar.  It’s an oldie but goodie.  As you’re watching this video think about what it means that God loves you and what it may mean to love others that way.

(video:  Wounded Bride)

That is powerful.  Isn’t it.  Maybe way too close to home.

If we’re going to love the way that God calls us to love, it’s risky.  We risk hurt.  It will hurt.  Not, “it may hurt.”  But it will hurt.  It will be painful.  And yet - as we’re going to see in Ruth and Boaz - to be used by God as He loves - “heseds” through us - its way worth it.

Ruth was written when God’s people were running away from God - and God’s love.  God brings this Moabite woman into Israel to show them what His love is all about.  God uses Ruth as a type - as an symbol - of Israel.  And God uses Boaz as a symbol - as an example of His love.  “I really do love you.  This is how much I love you.”

Ruth 3 - starting at verse 1.  Verses 1 to 5 are Naomi’s Advice.  Let’s walk through this together.

Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?   

Naomi is not getting any younger.  Time is passing.  Naomi - bitter - angry at God - sees no hope for her getting married.  Her desire is for Ruth to have “rest.”

Rest - translates a Hebrew word that has the idea of “home.”  The benefits and security that a women in the ancient Near East would find in marriage.  Something that a father would have arranged for his daughter - an arranged marriage.  But seeing as there’s no father - no husband - and no hope - Naomi is stepping up to seek that kind of “rest” for Ruth.

So, Naomi gives Ruth some advice - verse 2:  Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were?  For the past 6 plus weeks you’ve been out gleaning in Boaz’s fields - working with the women.  Remember - he’s a relative.

See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.  Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.  But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies.  Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.”    

Threshing was what they did to the sheaves of grain to get the grain out.  There was a large level hard packed dirt area.  On that level dirt area they’d beat the sheaves of barley or wheat or have oxen drag a board or stone over the sheaves to get the grain out.

Then they’d winnow.  Winnowing was done with a kind of pitch fork where the mass of chaff and straw and grain - that were there on this threshing floor - that whole mass was thrown up in the air so that the chaff would get blown away and they’d end up with just the grain.

Which is where and when Boaz was.  Winnowing on the threshing floor.

Naomi says to Ruth:  “Take off those mourning clothes.  Stop advertising that you’re not available.  Enough already.  Get yourself cleaned up.  Put on some fou fou juice and something more alluring.  Go down to the threshing floor where Boaz is.  Hide out until he’s stuffed himself with food and thrown back a few.  When he’s passed out then go to where he’s lying down.  Pull up his blanket.  Lay down there by his feet.  When he wakes up tell him you’ll do whatever he wants you to do.”

Which thankfully - culturally there are few things going on here behind the scenes of what Naomi says that we’re going to see in a moment that will help us to see that Naomi isn’t suggesting what this sound like Naomi is suggesting.

However, Naomi has a pretty legit assessment of their situation and need.  But - and this is something that we need to keep in our minds - while her assessment is pretty good - and her desire for Ruth - “rest” - is a legit desire - her advice is shaded by self-focus - her bitterness and her anger towards God.  Which is a dangerous place to be when we’re making life changing decisions or giving advice.  Focused on ourselves and not God. 

Whenever Naomi gives advice in this book we need to ask the question:  “Where is God in that?”  Because He isn’t.

Naomi’s advice is always about trusting self rather than trusting God.  In a sense what she’s advising Ruth is:  “Take matters in your own hands.  Go get that man.  Make him notice you.” 

Ruth - to her credit - respecting her mother-in-law - verse 5 - And she - Ruth - replied, “All that you say I will do.”  But we’re going to see that the way Ruth handles this is totally focused on God.

Let’s go on.  Verses 6 to 13 bring us to Boaz’s Commitment.  What happens when Ruth follows through on Naomi’s advice.

Verse 6:  So she - Ruth - went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her.  And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain.  Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. 

A few things we need to understand here.

We need to understand the word “merry.”  The NIV translates that as “in good spirits” - which also sounds like he was sloshed.  Spirits meaning 90 proof.  The New King James is closer:  “his heart was cheerful.”  The idea isn’t that he’s drunk.  What’s being described here is that Boaz - at the heart level - deep down - he was content.  Satisfied.

Which is what we can feel when we’ve come to the end of a day - working hard - being productive - and we can look back and see that we’ve gone through with God blessing us - using us.  God being pleased with us.  “Merry” is about a deep heart level settledness within.  Life is good.

Boaz - “merry” - lies down on the threshing floor.  Which is also important for us to understand.

Grain was really really valuable.  Like wine and oil.  Grain was a highly valuable commodity.  At night threshing floors were watched to guard against theft.  Which is what Boaz is doing there.  Heart level content.  Guarding his grain.  When Ruth sneaks in - uncovers his feet - and lays down - at his feet.

Verse 8:  At midnight - and all through the threshing floor not a creature was stirring not even a mouse - at midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!  He said, “YES!!!”

Well, no.  Actually his first concern - getting startled out of his sleep - his first concern would be that there was robbery in progress.  But behold - its a woman.

Boaz asks, “Who are you?”  Its dark.  Meaning even though he’s seen Ruth a ton of times he can’t recognize her in the dark.  Which also means that no one else is going to be seeing what’s going on here.

Keep that thought in mind.  Eligible man.  Young girl.  Alone late at night.  No one else will know what takes place.

And she - Ruth - answered, “I am Ruth, your servant.  Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” 

Underline or highlight or something that verse.  Its at the core of what’s happening here.

“I am Ruth, your servant” is a statement full of risk.

First - “I’m Ruth.”  It’s a reminder of the developing relationship.  What’s been going on for the last 6 plus weeks.  A relationship that Ruth - in a huge act of trust in God - a relationship that Ruth is now going to lay on the line.  Literally lay at the feet of Boaz.

Second, she’s reminding him of their positions in that relationship:  “your servant.”

Ruth is a foreigner - from Moab.  Boaz is a Hebrew in good standing in his community.  She’s poor.  He’s rich.  He’s much older - probably single - eligible.  Could have the pick of pretty much any eligible woman in town.  She’s damaged goods.  An abused widow from a perverse and pagan culture.  What expectation could she ever have that he’d respond so positively to her.

“Spread your wings over your servant” is rich in significance.

In chapter 2 - in what we looked at last Sunday - in chapter 2 Ruth was asking Boaz why Boaz was being so kind “hesed” to her.  What’s his motivation?

Boaz tells her:  “Its because of your love for your mother-in-law Noami.  Its because of your love for the God of Israel.  That’s why.”

In 2:12 Boaz prays for Ruth.  Remember this?  “The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”

Same word:  “wings.”  Same word in Hebrew as here in chapter 3. 

One way to understand that is the picture of a baby bird taking refuge under the mighty protective outstretched wings of its parent.  Which is part of what is being pictured here.  But culturally there’s more that goes with that. 

In Hebrew the word “wings” also has the idea of a garment of protection - like a cape.  Which is what someone would do if they were proposing marriage.  They would extend their cape over the one they were intending to marry.  It’s a symbolic act.  Symbolizing the extension of the protection of the husband-to-be over the wife-to-be.  And even beyond that - the extension of protection over the wife-to-bes family.

Let’s be clear.  Ruth isn’t proposing marriage to Boaz.  She’s proposing that Boaz propose marriage to her.  In other words.  In chapter 2 - you prayed for God to do this - God’s protection over Naomi and I.  Now I’m asking you to do what it is that you asked God for.  Why?  Because God has enabled you to do it.

Sometimes we pray and ask God to do what He’s already provided for us the means to do if we’d just take Him at His word - step forward in faith - and just do it.  Its just that the doing it part is what we see as risky.

Ruth lays it all on the line.  You need to do this - Ruth says - “for you are a redeemer.” 

Behind Ruth’s statement is what’s called Levirate Law.  “Levir” being Latin for “brother-in-law.  What God spelled out in Deuteronomy 25.  A childless widow is to marry her brother-in-law in order to have children by her brother-in-law in order to perpetuate the inheritance of the deceased brother - her dead husband.  (Deuteronomy 25:5-10)

Well, that ain’t gonna happen.  The brothers-in-law are dead.  There are no more in the pipeline.  So God’s plan - in that situation - is to provide what’s called a Kinsman Redeemer.

Kinsman meaning he’s… kin.  So he’s able to redeem the family and their property and able to raise up kin.  To keep the line of his deceased kin going.  Which is the redeemer part.  He’s going to buy back or redeem the family - his kin - from their being lost.  (Leviticus 25:25,47-49)

A redeemer not only had to be able to do that.  But he had to be willing to do that.  Not everyone was. 

Ruth risks everything here.  “God has given you the ability and the right to do this.  How?  Because you’re our redeemer.  Boaz, you’re the man.” 

Verse 10 - And he - Boaz - God’s worthy “hesed” filled man - and he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter.  You have made this last kindness - literally “this last hesed” - Whatever you’ve done in taking care of your mother-in-law - in being faithful to Yahweh - in our relationship - the kindness - the love you’ve shown that can only come from God - this is over the top.  You’ve made this last act of kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.

Ruth could have gone after a young man - some young stud muffin.  At this point we’re getting it that Boaz is probably much older than Ruth.  But that’s not what’s important to Ruth.  Ruth is not in this for the money - poor or rich.  This is not about marrying some sugar daddy.

We need to see here what Boaz sees.  Ruth is operating by a totally different value system than what we see going on in the world around us.  She is seeking what is God’s plan for her life.  God’s plan for Naomi’s life.  God’s plan for Boaz’s life.  That’s what’s coming through here in how she’s handling this.  And Boaz is on the same wavelength.  Seeking God and what is God’s plan.  That’s what Boaz is responding to.

Verse 11:  And now, my daughter, do not fear.  I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy women.

Where did we see that word “worthy” before?  Back in 2:1 - translating the two Hebrew words used to describe Boaz.  The first word that described Boaz was all about him being a mighty warrior.  Which would be kinda weird to use for Ruth.  That word isn’t here in the Hebrew.  The second word is.  The word used here - that word was all about having God driven exceptional ability and character in social situations.  That’s Ruth.

That’s what makes Boaz sit up and take notice.  Ruth is wise - with a Godly wisdom - in how she is conducting herself in this negotiation.  Her kindness - the quality of love that she’s showing here - only comes from God.  From a person seeking after God. 

Are we together?

Naomi’s advice?  Take matters into your own hands.  But Ruth is  focusing on God - trusting God - doing things God’s way.  That’s what a Godly women does.  She’s respecting Naomi - following through on Naomi’s advice.  But she’s doing it as a worthy woman.  Ruth - by faith following God into the opportunity that the sovereign God has opened up to her - is actually going to gain what Naomi sent her out to do.  But God is going to bless her way beyond Naomi’s limited self-focused bitter vision of what’s going on. 

Verse 12 - Boaz goes on:  And now it is true that I am a redeemer.  Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I.  Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it.  But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you.  Lie down until morning.”

Boaz commits.  Notice the actions of a Godly man.  “Today, I’m going to step up to the plate and do what God is calling me to do.”  A Godly man - operating with “hesed” is going to deal with what needs to be dealt with.

Boaz could have punted.  There’s the matter of a kinsman redeemer who’s closer in relationship to Naomi and Ruth.  Boaz could have said no.  No questions asked.  But he chooses the risk.  Why? 

All things considered - especially where Ruth has been - think damaged goods from Moab - and even with the whole “hesed” thing going on between them - Boaz’s commitment is risky.  He’s really stepping out of the box - trusting God - willing to put it all on the line for Ruth - and Naomi.

Why does he?  Seemingly without a second thought.  He’s willing to risk his reputation.  His standing.  To pour out his love for this young Moabite woman.

You can swipe forward with me if you want.  But let me read a couple of verses for us:  Matthew 1:5 - the genealogy of Jesus:  “And Salmon, the father of Boaz by Rahab” - stop.  Boaz’s dad and mom are...?   Salmon and Rahab.

Going backwards into history.  Joshua 2:1  “And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, ‘Go, view the land, especially Jericho.’  And they came to the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.”  Same Rahab.  Right?

Joshua 6:25 - what takes place in between Joshua 2 and 6 is the whole Jericho walls coming down conquest thing that we learned about in Sunday School.  Great film strips.  Walls come down.  Rahab - trusting Israel’s God probably a whole more than the spies - Rahab saves the spies and they promise to save her.  We’re together?

Joshua 6:25:  “But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive.  And she has lived in Israel to this day…”

Imagine Rahab explaining to her son Boaz.  “I was a prostitute from a God cursed city.  But God poured out His “hesed’ love on me.”  Imagine how Boaz must have felt when kids called him “half-breed.”  Or taunted him:  “Your mother’s a prostitute.”  Imagine the qualities of “hesed” love Boaz saw demonstrated by his father Salmon as Salmon loved Rahab with “hesed” love.

Imagine through all that what Boaz learned about God’s “hesed” love.  How God comes through for His people.  How God transforms people and their trajectory through life.  What Boaz learned about what it means to trust God.

We can’t know for sure this side of heaven.  But there must be something huge behind all that in Boaz’s learning to trust God and to risk it all to live pouring out “hesed” love on Ruth and those around him.

Then Boaz gives instructions:  “Remain tonight.  Lie down until morning.”  Its late.  Its dangerous.  Stay here until its safe to go in the morning.  Boaz concerned for the protection of Ruth.

Grab this:  Its dark.  They’re isolated.  And yet, nothing sexual happens here.  She lays at his feet.  Not his loins.  He is - with Godly “hesed” motivated love protecting the honor of Ruth - this Godly worthy woman.

Imagine how that would play out in our culture today.  She’s asking him to propose in marriage.  He’s agreed.  In today’s culture the next step would be to hop into bed together.  Actually they’d already have been in bed.  Hook up.  Fall in lust.  Fall into bed.  Maybe think about marriage.  But, as long as you keep doing for me what I need you to do for me then its all good.

So many marriages - so many families - one major reason why our culture is such trouble today.  Couples go from step one.  Step one being meeting someone.  “Hi.”  Going from step one to step 30.  Step thirty being, “Gosh I wish she’d have used birth control.”  Going from steps 1 to 30 overnight.

All those steps in between - what used to be called dating and courtship and engagement - all those steps in between are given by God to develop the foundation necessary for a healthy marriage - home - family - society. 

Without doing the hard work of those in between steps that come before marriage and sexual intimacy - basic things like learning how to communicate through the tough stuff of life - forging and developing character and skills necessary for marriage.  Jumping from step 1 to 3 overnight - all that just doesn’t happen. 

There are reasons why God says - Hebrews 13:4:  “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and the adulterous.”  God desires for us to experience His “hesed” love - even in marriage.

There’s none of that step skipping here with Ruth and Boaz.  There’s growing intimacy without being intimate sexually.

What we have here is an example of what it means to follow God in seeking the person that God has sovereignly chosen for us to marry.  What God focused dating and courtship is all about.  This isn’t about sex.  This isn’t about lust.  This isn’t about doing things the way the world does relationships.

Please hear this.  If you might get married or know someone who might.

Question:  How do you know who to marry?  Looking at what’s going on here.  Answer:  Run towards Jesus.

Pursue Jesus - loving Him - seeking Him - serving Him - being totally devoted to Him.  Learn how to live in faithful, sacrificially, dying to self, obedience to Jesus with everything you are and everything that He has blessed you with in every situation of your life.  Make running towards Jesus the consuming passion of your life.

As you’re running towards Jesus you’ll notice others running towards Jesus with the same passion of pursuit.  Those are the people that you start praying about and asking if one them might be the person that God might have you lock arms with and run together towards Him.

That’s what’s going on here.  That’s Ruth.  That’s Boaz.  Life is about God.  Period.  And God is about to bless that relationship big time.

Verses 14-18 tell us about Ruth’s Report.  What happened when Ruth goes back to Naomi.

Verse 14:  So she - Ruth - lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another.  And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”  And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.”  So she held it, and he measure out six measures of barley and put it on her.

We don’t know how much six measures of barley is.  The amount isn’t as important as our seeing a man of God reaching out with God’s love to take care of a bitter mother-in-law who’s angry at God.

Going on - verse 15:  Then she went into the city.  And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?”

That’s an understatement.  Imagine this Jewish mother waiting up all night for her daughter-in-law to come back from the threshing floor.

Going on in verse 16:  Then she told her all that the man had done for her, saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’”  She - Naomi - replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”

Which is a cliff hanger.  We have to come back next Sunday to find out how Boaz steps up to the plate and settles the matter.  But grab this.  He will.  Because Boaz is a “worthy” man living out God’s “hesed” love.

Okay.  Quickly.  Because either we have lunch reservations or people are coming over and dinner is burning in the oven.  Tying together God’s love and His loving through us and the risk factor - think with me about the illustration Jesus shared about the son who got his inheritance and went off and squandered all that on worthless stuff.  Familiar.  Yes?

Why does the son come back to the father?  Because he’s working in pig slop and eating what he’s working in and he realizes that life back home was better.  So he heads home with a rehearsed speech about wanting to be just a servant of his father.  That is so self-serving.

The motivation of the son has nothing to do with loving the father.  Its, I want what the father has because its better than what I’ve done with my life.  Which is us.  Isn’t it?  With all that we’ve done with our lives - or had done to us - its hard to process God’s love.  We come as beggars.  But we struggle to simply take God at His word that He really does love us.  It is so hard for us to get passed ourselves.  We see that trust that God loves us as a risk.

In Jesus’ illustration - the dad sees the son - tosses custom and decorum aside - and rushes down the road to welcome the son with love and feasting.  That’s God.  That’s the risk factor for God.  Coming to us.

Ruth is like us.  With our need to trust God.  And risk everything for His love.  Which is what Boaz demonstrates for us.  God’s love given - even at great risk.

We can risk trusting that God really does love us - that we might just be lovable - maybe even we might learn to love ourselves - and so to genuinely love others - because God risks His love on us.  Even through the pain of the cross.  God taking the risk factor out of our loving Him.

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Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®  (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.