At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and there, lying at his feet, was a woman! He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant; spread your cloak over your servant, for you are next-of-kin.”
He said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter; this last instance of your loyalty is better than the first; you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not be afraid, I will do for you all that you ask, for all the assembly of my people know that you are a worthy woman. But now, though it is true that I am a near kinsman, there is another kinsman more closely related than I. Remain this night, and in the morning, if he will act as next-of-kin for you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to act as next-of-kin for you, then, as the Lord lives, I will act as next-of-kin for you. Lie down until the morning.”
So she lay at his feet until morning but got up before one person could recognize another, for he said, “It must not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” Then he said, “Bring the cloak you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her back; then he went into the town.
She came to her mother-in-law, who said, “How did things go with you, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her, saying, “He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said, ‘Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’” She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.” (New Revised Standard Version)
Boaz was an unmarried wealthy landowner. He was pious and conscientious. Ruth was a widow, a foreigner from Moab. Naomi was Ruth’s mother-in-law, and also a widow. Naomi and Ruth only had each other.
As one in poverty did in those times, Ruth walked behind the harvesters in the fields during the barley harvest, gleaning whatever was left behind. She was gleaning in the field of Boaz. He noticed.
Boaz was kind enough to make sure that Ruth was able to glean for two people. It turns out that Boaz was an in-law to Naomi, through her late husband Elimelech. Naomi sought to play matchmaker, so that Ruth would be well cared for. So, she instructed Ruth in what to do….
Harvest time in Judah was also a time of celebration and feasting. Late one night, on the barley wheat threshing floor, Boaz lay down to sleep after a day of bringing in the grain, and an evening of eating and drinking.
Doing exactly as her mother-in-law Naomi instructed, Ruth went to threshing floor, and then quietly laid down at the feet of Boaz. At midnight, Boaz was startled and woke up. There, at his feet, was a woman!
“Who are you? What do you want?” asked Boaz. And Ruth made herself known with the humble response, “I am Ruth, your maidservant.”
Ruth continued to follow Naomi’s guidance, and asked that Boaz spread his cloak over her, because he is the next of kin, the relative who could be responsible for engaging a levirate marriage with her (that is, a legal marriage involving in-law’s).
Although sleepy, and maybe even a bit tipsy, Boaz knew immediately that Ruth was asking him to marry her. Pious man that he was, Boaz would likely have realized the imagery of his situation, as likened to the prophet Ezekiel’s description concerning God’s love toward Jerusalem:
I spread the edge of my cloak over you and covered your nakedness: I pledged myself to you and entered into a covenant with you, says the Lord God, and you became mine. (Ezekiel 16:8, NRSV)
In following Naomi’s advice, Ruth put herself in a very vulnerable situation. Yet, Naomi’s observation of Boaz was spot on. Ruth’s faith in, and love for, her mother-in-law was well-placed.
The man Boaz responded favorably to the asking and overture of Ruth. He praised Ruth for her steadfast love and faithfulness; and her willingness to be with him, instead of a younger man.
Arising organically and sincerely from within Boaz was a prayer for God’s blessing upon Ruth. Not only would Boaz act to marry Ruth, but he also assured her that she belongs to God and God’s people.
The cloak of Boaz being spread over Ruth not only symbolized their upcoming levirate marriage, but it also communicated her marriage to God. Ruth was coming into God’s covenant as one of the people, as well as entering the marriage covenant.
I like that Boaz did not regard the actions and words of Ruth as something impertinent, immoral, or inappropriate. He fully recognized that she was operating consistent with the law of God in honoring a family obligation. And Boaz reciprocated by being honored to have been asked, and honored to comply with Ruth’s wishes.
It seems to me that this is love, as it is intended to be with us. We respect one another’s character, and seek to do whatever we can to meet this person’s need. When I love, I want to go out of my way to act on behalf of this person I admire and adore.
Boaz was not under a legal obligation to marry Ruth. He could have done nothing. But love compelled him – a love for Ruth which was grounded in an abiding love for God.
It wasn’t that Boaz should have, or could have, done something to help meet the needs of Ruth and Naomi. Boaz wanted to do something. He wanted to help Ruth. Boaz wanted to show kindness and steadfast love to Ruth. He wanted to fulfill her asking.
Naomi came up with a plan, because she trusted in the mercy, kindness, and generosity of Boaz. And also because she loved her daughter-in-law Ruth, and wanted her to be loved and cared for.
To show his goodwill and intention to fulfill Ruth’s request, he gave her a significant gift of barley. That is, he loaded her up with groceries to take home. This was a sign that Boaz would indeed make sure that the needs of Ruth and Naomi would be met this day, and into the future.
I am struck with how simple this story really is, at it’s core. It’s just three people, who each care. Caring is something that all of us can do, no matter who we are, where we are, or what situation we find ourselves in.
We really can show basic human kindness to another. We can be merciful, just, and generous. We can ask for what we want and need. We can help one another.
Perhaps, then, the real question for each of us is not whether we can speak and act with love, grace, and kindness; the real question is: Will I speak and act with love and mercy?
If we want to live in a world where there is justice, mercy, and love, then we must demonstrate those very things in our own lives, today and every day.
Live the way that you yourself want to be treated. And if you want mercy, generosity, and love from others, then ask for it.
God of steadfast love, help us each day in the midst of things we don’t understand, To those of us who are afraid, give courage To those who are exhausted, give strength To those in despair, give hope.
Comfort us in our struggles, O Loving God, and meet every need. Grant us safety, security and stability, and help us learn the lessons you are giving us, so that we may all work together to make this world a better place. Amen.
Rev. Tim Ehrhardt 