 |  |
Ruth 3: 1 - 4: 13.
A | 3: 1-9. | a | c | Shall I not find rest for thee?
d | Is not Boaz of our kindred?
b | e | When Boaz finishes eating and drinking.
f | Mark the place where he shall lie.
g | Uncover his feet.
h | Lay thee down.
i | He will tell thee what to do.
i | All that thou sayest I will do.
e | When Boaz had eaten and drunk.
f | He went to lie down.
g | Uncovered his feet.
h | Laid down.
a | c | Who art thou?
b | j | I am Ruth, thine handmaid.
k | Spread thy skirt over.
j | Thou art a near kinsman.
B | 3: 10-13. Boaz explains about the nearer kinsman. Promises to redeem.
C | 3: 14-18. Ruth assured.
B | 4: 1-6. Boaz advertises the other kinsman. Fulfil his promise to redeem.
A | 4: 7-13. The inheritance secured. Ruth becomes wife to Boaz.
We have not felt justified in setting out the whole of the passage in detail. We have
given the sections, and set out the first one as an example, so that the reader should find
little difficulty in completing the structure if it be deemed necessary.
Naomi's words in chapter 3: find a parallel in Ruth 1: 9:
"The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband"
(Ruth 1: 9).
"My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be will with thee?" (Ruth 3: 1).
No longer has Naomi to speak of a possible husband and future sons (Ruth 1: 12, 13)
for now she can say: "Is not Boaz of our kindred?" (Ruth 3: 2).
It was the custom at threshing time for the owner to remain all night on the
threshing-floor, until the harvest was safely gathered. Naomi knew this and instructed
Ruth how to act. Judged by modern standard of morality Ruth would probably be
condemned, but Boaz bears testimony that "all the city of my people dost know that thou
art a virtuous woman" (Ruth 3: 11).
When Ruth said: "Spread thy skirt over thine handmaid for thou art a near kinsman"
(or, one who has the right to redeem) (Ruth 3: 9). Boaz knew that she was asking him
not only to redeem the land that had been lost, but also to marry her and so save the name
of the dead husband from being blotted out. Boaz is touched by the fact that Ruth had
not followed after young men, but had let her choice fall upon one who was apparently
many years her senior.