As Ruth has care for and looked after Naomi, now it is Naomi's turn to care for and look after Ruth. In Ruth 3, the attention turns to Naomi's work to find Ruth a husband and she provides advice to Ruth on how to interact with Boaz to get his attention. The plan is simple, after Boaz eats and drinks, Ruth is supposed to lie down with him.
Ruth, however, waits til he is asleep and then settles at his feet. Boaz is surprised when he awakens and rather astonished that Ruth is laying at his feet as a servant would. Ruth then asks for him to spread a garment over her which in effect means she is asking for marriage. Boaz understands his role as next of kin, but also knows that that right belongs to another and he tells Ruth that it is appropriate to see if that kin will provide for his duty. However, Boaz assures her that even if the other kin does not want to marry her, that Boaz surely will.
The exchange between Boaz and Ruth are examples of the loyalty that is at the heart of the story. Both have become the appropriate salvation to others, for Ruth it is Naomi, for Boaz it is Ruth. In this way, Boaz and Ruth are kindred spirits.
As luck would have it, or God's intervention perhaps, Boaz quickly comes across the other next of kin in Ruth 4 and he quickly assembles the elders of the village and approaches the next of kin with the issue. When Boaz speaks of the land of Elimilech and his sons, the next of kin is very interested, but when Boaz throws in Naomi and Ruth, he balks.
Scripture is not clear on this sort of situation where wives and land would be involved but it could have been a levirate policy or this could have been Boaz putting in a "poison pill" on the deal knowing that the other kin would not accept. However it works out, Boaz is able to gain possession of the land, take Ruth as his wife and re-establish Naomi, and for that matter, Ruth where they again have land and security. Truly Boaz has been a redeemer.
From this relationship, a relationship born out of hesed, will come David who will be the redeemer of Israel and will be the progenitor of the messiah.
Psalm 45
It would seem that the theme of this psalm is a royal wedding, penned to offer praise to the king and his new queen. Of significance is the virtues of this king, his passion for truth and his opposition to wickedness. Also notice that it is God who has chosen the king and has brought cause for this celebration.
Ruth, however, waits til he is asleep and then settles at his feet. Boaz is surprised when he awakens and rather astonished that Ruth is laying at his feet as a servant would. Ruth then asks for him to spread a garment over her which in effect means she is asking for marriage. Boaz understands his role as next of kin, but also knows that that right belongs to another and he tells Ruth that it is appropriate to see if that kin will provide for his duty. However, Boaz assures her that even if the other kin does not want to marry her, that Boaz surely will.
The exchange between Boaz and Ruth are examples of the loyalty that is at the heart of the story. Both have become the appropriate salvation to others, for Ruth it is Naomi, for Boaz it is Ruth. In this way, Boaz and Ruth are kindred spirits.
As luck would have it, or God's intervention perhaps, Boaz quickly comes across the other next of kin in Ruth 4 and he quickly assembles the elders of the village and approaches the next of kin with the issue. When Boaz speaks of the land of Elimilech and his sons, the next of kin is very interested, but when Boaz throws in Naomi and Ruth, he balks.
Scripture is not clear on this sort of situation where wives and land would be involved but it could have been a levirate policy or this could have been Boaz putting in a "poison pill" on the deal knowing that the other kin would not accept. However it works out, Boaz is able to gain possession of the land, take Ruth as his wife and re-establish Naomi, and for that matter, Ruth where they again have land and security. Truly Boaz has been a redeemer.
From this relationship, a relationship born out of hesed, will come David who will be the redeemer of Israel and will be the progenitor of the messiah.
Psalm 45
It would seem that the theme of this psalm is a royal wedding, penned to offer praise to the king and his new queen. Of significance is the virtues of this king, his passion for truth and his opposition to wickedness. Also notice that it is God who has chosen the king and has brought cause for this celebration.
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