Ruth at the Feet of Boaz till Morning

Ruth 3:14-15
And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.

On Nov 7th and Nov 8th, we discussed on how Ruth followed her mother in law Naomi all the way from Moab to Bethlehem of Judah and received the blessings of the Lord Almighty. Today we will see how Ruth lay at Boaz’ feet the whole night and what the message for us in this current day and age is. I would like to thank my brother Dr. Sunil Mahanthi for taking his time to expostulate the scriptures related to Ruth and Boaz.

Boaz was a mighty man of wealth who was generous in allowing Ruth to glean among the sheaves as well. Leviticus 19:9-10 says, “And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God.” Also in Deuteronomy 24:20 it says, “When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.” Boaz verily followed the Law of the Lord. He took great delight in doing so and his generosity to Ruth simply certifies that.

Naomi, Ruth’s mother in law was eager in seeking rest for Ruth. Naomi knew that Ruth was a young widow and she hated to see her spend the rest of her life without a husband and a family. She mentioned to Ruth that Boaz was winnowing the barley in the threshing floor that night and she wanted Ruth to wash herself and put on her raiment and reach the threshing floor but not reveal herself to Boaz until he has completed his eating and drinking. Ruth 3:4 says, “And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.” The clear instructions of Naomi are not to be read mockingly for there is a message that the Spirit of God has for us today. Naomi’s instruction to uncover the feet of Boaz is suggestive of the covering of the Lord God for us. We are covered by His robe of righteousness. After uncovering the feet of Boaz, Naomi knew that Boaz will tell Ruth what to do. She also knew that from that time onward Ruth will be under the covering of Boaz.

In asking Ruth to reach the threshing floor in the night, Naomi was well aware of the forces of darkness prevalent at that hour. But she knew her daughter in law, her virtues and moral values so well that she let her go out at that time. Also Naomi knew her kinsman Boaz and his morale that she trusted him to do the best for her daughter in law. Ruth who left her land, people and strange gods to be with her mother in law, did not hesitate to step out in the dark hour and followed every bit of instruction given by her mother in law. Ruth knew pretty well that her mother in law only desires the best rest for her and so took the risk of following the redemption plan of Naomi. God already has implemented the redemption plan for every nation and kindred. The redemption plan was fulfilled by God’s only son Jesus Christ. In trusting Jesus Christ we will be redeemed. Yes, the plan is for everybody including the gentiles like me. Ruth a gentile and a moabitess was about to be redeemed by Boaz an Israelite. The whole incident happened in Bethlehem of Judah portraying the future redeemer (Jesus Christ)’s birth in the same place.

In the midnight Boaz realized that there was a woman at his feet (Ruth 3:8). Ruth says, “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.” Ruth’s humble answer that she was Boaz’ handmaid speaks of her character. She thought not high of herself and laid at Boaz’ feet because she knew that she was just seeking his grace and mercy to redeem her. She requested Boaz to spread his skirt over Ruth. She just sought his covering. She knew very well that under his care and protection she will be safe and secure. We, as the children of the living Lord should just lie at the Lord’s feet and plead His covering for us. Under His covering we are well cared for and need not be anxious about anything. Ruth also says that Boaz is a near kinsman. By this she is implying what the kinsman can do to her and that is to redeem her. Our nearest kinsman is Jesus Christ. He was born just like you and me but of a Virgin and hence His birth was free of sin because He is God born as a man and lived the life of a complete man. He understands our struggles and sufferings much more than anybody ever can do. Who else can redeem us but He who has the authority to do so and that is Christ alone?

The words of Boaz to Ruth were: “And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. 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.” Boaz addresses Ruth as a daughter because he was much older than her. Her words say how impressed Boaz was by her character and her generosity to her mother in law. Her kindness to her mother in law is her first virtue while her second virtue is that she did not go after the young men either rich or poor. Her latter virtue is much more applaudable than her former as she is a young woman who could have sought to win the hearts of young men. But she chose that which was much better for her and Boaz though much older in age than Ruth had the authority to redeem her and by the law of the land should redeem her. He is assuring Ruth that he will do all that he is required to do. For Ruth, in Boaz’ assurance is much more happiness than going after the men in the world for Boaz sure will take her as his wife while with the other men that is not guaranteed. She chose to live by morale than by passions and the rest she gets is eternal. Our Lord God sees as His children and is watching over us and He is ever ready to take us as His own.

In Ruth 3:12 Boaz says, “And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.” Boaz is aware that there is a nearer kinsman than himself and so wanted to enquire if the nearer kinsman will be willing to redeem her. He knew the law of the land better and more importantly he is aware of his own limitation if the other nearer kinsman chooses to redeem Ruth. Boaz adds, ”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.” What is guaranteed at this point is Ruth’s redemption either by the other nearer kinsman or by Boaz himself. Boaz did not send her away at that time in the night but asked her to wait till the morning. With Ruth’s redemption guaranteed she can rest at the feet of Boaz peacefully. Ruth 4:14 says, “And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.” Ruth did lay at his feet till the morning.

We should rest at the Lord’s feet all night long and when we wake up in the morning we will be filled by the Lord God. Ruth 3:15 says, “Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.” This clearly says that when we rest at the Lord’s feet all night long we will not leave empty handed. We will be filled by the bread of life like Ruth was filled with six measures of barley. Vail signifies her covering and dignity and now her covering was Boaz. Boaz, her covering is filling her with the bread and this bread will ever sustain Ruth and her family. From this time forward she will never be hungering and her vail will be full of bread. Yes, our covering is Lord Jesus Christ and He will sustain us with the bread of life to our hungering souls and this bread has the potential to fill us forever!

May we all like Ruth choose what the Lord desires for us! His choice for us is the best and may we yield to His will. The plan of redemption can save any sinner and so let us turn to God’s redemption for us through Jesus Christ. May the Lord help us to be at His feet from the dusk till the dawn for we are sure to go with full hands!

Tomorrow: Mary at the feet of the Lord