[Rth 3:1-18] For the Man Will Not Rest Until the Matter Is Settled Today

John Lim
                                                                     
For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today. 
Ruth 3:1-18

 

This beautiful story of Naomi and Ruth has many lessons for all of us as we are invited to watch the human drama unfold of two helpless women brought together by God’s divine providence.  This story allows us to witness the most heart wrenching glimpses of the relationship between Naomi, the mother-in-law and Ruth, her daughter-in-law.

 

I can’t stress enough of the reality and possibility of a beautiful relationship that can exist in midst of our fallen world between the daughter-in-law and mother- in-law.  I believe God through this simple human story wants us to know that with His help, it is possible.

 

In our world filled with cynicism and selfishness, their story illustrates how magnificent human relationship can be forged when brought together by God and nurtured by God’s Spirit.  Naomi, a native of Bethlehem and Ruth, a Moabitess, or a foreign woman, the most unlikely bond of two completely different women becomes part of Israel’s rich woven history.

 

Through Naomi’s life of faith, Ruth yearned for God of Israel, Naomi worshipped.  Simply put, Ruth was drawn to Naomi’s God because God’s Spirit compelled her to Him.

 

As they now found themselves living in the land of Bethlehem as poor, poverty stricken widows, possibly the object of scorn and disdain from other people, Ruth worked hard, gleaning the field for grains, following the custom, instituted for the widows, and travelers. 

 

She worked from early in the morning till late in the day only as she could with her personal dignity in tact.  Yes, it was not the best of the circumstances but she did not compromise herself in any sort of way.  She was a poor widow but she maintained her dignity, integrity and her reputation for she was a believer who trusted in God’s providence and goodness.   

 

As Ruth and Naomi lived from day to day, they were thankful for God’s provisions and His protection even though their living situation was not optimal.  Their faith in God and their absolute trust in His goodness for their lives were not dampened by their current circumstances.

 

There are times in our lives when we feel that we are in a dire strait.  No matter how bleak our future seems or our life may seem, we still believe in God’s compassion and his loving kindness. 

 

God’s Spirit dwelt in their hearts.  They believed in God’s goodness.  They did not blame anyone or their circumstances or their environment.  They had God and each other. 

 

But God is not through with them yet.  God had a wonderful plan for both of them.  God had a wonderful plan for these two destitute women who had nothing going for them.  Regardless of what we sometimes go through, God has not forgotten His children in their times of distress.  God takes care of His children.  He has a wonderful plan for His children.  He brings good to His children, not harm.

 

Often we fret about things that we are experiencing right now and we are not able to look beyond our own present troubles, but when we continue to march on trusting in God, we may not know at the time why we had to go through these unfathomable times but in the end, God walked with us and we were never far away from His tender loving kindness. 

                                               

According to Jewish custom, God had instituted a means to allow a family line to continue when there is a death without children in a family.  In Deuteronomy 25:5-6, there is a provision known as kinsman-redeemer where a relative could volunteer to take the responsibility for the extended family. 

“If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband's brother shall take her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her.  The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.”

 

Since Ruth’s husband died, the Deuteronomic law provided that Ruth could marry a brother of her dead husband but since Naomi had no more sons, the nearest relative could become a kinsman-redeemer and marry Ruth.  However, the nearest relative did not have to marry the widow if he chose not to.  He could not be forced or coerced to marry the widow if he did not wish it.  If he as the nearest relative chose not to, the next nearest relative could take his place.  If no one chose to help the widow, it is quite possible for that widow to live out rest of her life in abject poverty.

 

So this has been a lengthy but necessary back drop for this fascinating drama to take place in this third chapter of Ruth. 

 

We can almost see this drama unfold as the Third Act. 

 

Just so that we are not mistakenly viewing the instruction Naomi gives Ruth as an ill fated attempt of seduction.  Modern times have jaded our perception so much so that some may be tempted to view what Ruth is doing with the instruction from Naomi as a gesture of dishonorable nature.  But nothing could be further from the truth as Boaz himself describes Ruth’s action as honorable and noble. 

 

This mother-in-law, Naomi is a woman of impeccable standard of conduct.  She would never ask her daughter-in-law to do something that was not appropriate or honorable.  And Ruth who declined to go back to her own home because of her commitment to worship God and care for her mother-in-law would never succumb to carry out devious or deceptive plan to trap an honorable man like Boaz.  And obviously, Boaz would never allow dishonorable course of action when throughout his life, he has been exemplary in all his dealings with people. 

 

I mentioned to you last time that Boaz was an honorable man who obviously commanded respect and appreciation from those who worked for him because he had earned their trust and their loyalty as he was a man of kindness, integrity, magnanimous spirit, compassion, thoughtfulness and considerate disposition.

 

He was active along with his workers in the work of harvesting.  He was fully engaged with the work on hand to thresh the harvested wheat.  He was fully involved with work that his men were involved with. 

 

Here is a picture of a man who shared the hard, time-consuming manual labor with his fellow men without any reservation.  He had been doing this, I imagine for years.  He knew the hardship and challenges of sweat-pouring work.  He joined the labor of sweat willingly and gladly. 

 

So Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi simply puts into motion her plan, if you will that is honorable, appropriate and customary.  Let me explain this. 

 

Because of the existence of such inequality between Ruth and Boaz, Naomi instructs Ruth to carry out this plan to ascertain Boaz’s intention as to whether he would like to pursue this course of action or he would prefer not to, while protecting Ruth’s dignity and modicum of pride though she may not have anything of worldly value. 

 

As poor and destitute as they may be, they also have their God given human dignity which no one should or can trample on.  As we are all created in God’s image, we place intrinsic and inherent value to human life. 

                                                                       

What if Boaz refuses or what if other people find out and ridicule Ruth as nothing more than a fraud or charlatan trying to marry “above” her social status.  One could imagine all kinds of negative fall out and backlashes from simple yet well intended motion or gesture in accordance with Deuteronomic law and provision.

 

But how would Naomi and Ruth find out unless they propose this to Boaz while protecting him as well.  Now you understand that this was not a deceptive or a trick to seduce Boaz, an honorable man.  Look at verses 1-4

 
“One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not try to find a home for you, where you will be well provided for?  Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours? Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor.  Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.  When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do."

 

What Naomi is instructing Ruth to do is to confidentially indicate to Boaz whether he would like to redeem her or not.  Overture to Boaz must be made to find out if he would consider this.  If he declines, only Boaz and Ruth would know and it is none of other people’s business.  Before we continue, I’ve got to tell you about the verses 6-7.

“So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do. When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down.”

After a hard day’s work, you can see Boaz, so content and satisfied.  This gives us a beautiful picture of how we ought to view work and labor.  There is nothing so satisfying as doing a day’s responsibilities and finding contentment from your hard work at the end of the day. 

 

It is God given privilege and blessing to be able to work.  We want to view our work not as something undesirable and tortuous that we must grit our teeth and suffer through but we ought to embrace it and celebrate it.  That is at least Boaz’s perspective on work.

 

So now, Ruth obediently follows her mother in law’s carefully thought out instruction.  Now all she can do is to wait and see what would transpire.  Look at verse 8-9.

“In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet.  "Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.”

Here’s Ruth’s simple but dignity filled response and a humble plea in accordance with God’s laws.  She makes a formal request to Boaz concerning the issue of kinsman-redeemer responsibility.

 

Ruth is very straight forward in her explanation for why she was doing what she was doing at that time.  She is merely trying to ascertain Boaz’s intention

 

The drama slowly unfolds.  Boaz was an honorable man of integrity.  He has flawless reputation.  He didn’t get to be where he was with strings of scandals or skeletons in his closet.  He was a man of character through and through.  He was well respected man in his time by fellow citizens in the community.  So it is only natural that he is startled at this unexpected turn of event.  But upon Ruth’s explaining to him of her intent, he answers appropriately. 

                                                                       

Look at verse 10-13. 

 

"The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than   that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.  And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.  Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. Stay here for the   night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning."

 

The spreading of the skirt over a widow as a way of claiming her as a wife is custom practiced among Arabs of early days.

 

Ezekiel 16:8 (Marriage connotation)

"Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine.”

Apparently from Boaz’s response in verses 10, we know that Boaz feels honored that he would be the recipient of this noble request.

 

As we work in different places, we are often told to do the right thing from all levels of leadership from mid level management in charge of operation to company executives responsible for the business.  We stress the importance of doing the right thing no matter what. 

 

Ruth and Boaz not only do the right thing but they do the right thing in the right way as well.  Note the thoughtfulness of Ruth as she discreetly asks for Boaz’s intention to fulfill his kinsman-redeemer responsibility and Boaz’s thoughtfulness in answering her with gratitude for this privilege not as chore or burden but privilege.   He honors her with his thoughtful and considerate response.  Look at his response that is filled with sweetness towards this widow who is quite powerless and extremely vulnerable. 

 

The manner in which he communicates with Ruth shows this man’s tremendous integrity and his respect for human being as a believer.  He does not trample on her personhood or deal with her as if she was a subservient or 3^rd class human being but shows utmost respect. 

 

He does not chastise her or embarrass her but takes Ruth’s gesture as something very valuable and noble.  He protects her discretion.  He makes provision to not only honor her but expresses his heartfelt desire to fulfill his responsibility. 

 

Yet he does it in the right way as he explains the situation about another man who is actually closer in line than he is.  And obviously, we see the third scene when Ruth goes back to Naomi with barley that Boaz had given her.  Two women share the event and Naomi utters, “For that man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”

 

This drama is a perfect picture of our being redeemed by Jesus Christ, our kinsman-redeemer.  Ever since Adam and Eve committed sin in the Garden of Eden and was banished, mankind has been in violation of God’s law. 

 

Adam and Eve disobeyed God and hid from Him.  Yet God sought them out and covered their shame with skin of an animal.  In order to cover them, God killed and drew blood with that skin.   He covered them and drove them out of the Garden of Eden. 

                                                                                   

Already we see God’s plan of redemption in motion.  Leather covering is neither permanent nor perfect.  There comes a sacrificial lamb who is to be slaughtered, who will spill His blood that we may be truly redeemed.  Jesus Christ is the sacrificial lamb who died on the cross to be our kinsman redeemer to elevate our status from destitute condition to being God’s child, adopted into God’s family.

 

As in Boaz, “for the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”

 

So our Lord Jesus will not rest until the matter is settled today.

 

Jesus seeks to redeem us even this day.  He desires to be our kinsman-redeemer.   Have we come to realize ourselves in need of this redemption?  Have we made that decision to accept Jesus Christ as our redeemer?