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"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. 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" (Ruth 3: 9-11).
This answer of Boaz to Ruth's request is in itself sufficient proof of the view he took
of her conduct, and of the integrity of his own. Naomi had perceived aright, his feelings
of respect and admiration had grown into a sincere and genuine affection, but it could
well have been that because of the difference in their ages, he would never have declared
his love. His words show how closely he had been watching her, and he warmly
commends her for the way she had behaved during the harvesting. Evidently Boaz had
been keenly interested in finding out all he could about Ruth. Everyone who knew her
had a good word to say about her. Only recently arrived in Bethlehem as a foreigner, she
would be closely watched, yet she was known as a virtuous woman. This gives us quite
clearly the sort of person Ruth was. Boaz knowing the strength of her character, her
willingness to toil in the heat and the sun, the sweetness of her disposition, and the
courage and loyalty of her heart, was quite willing to perform the kinsman-redeemer's
part: "I will do to thee all that thou requirest . . . . .".
"And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer
than 1: 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" (3: 12-13).
There was one difficulty however relating to his elder brother. "There is a kinsman
that is nearer than I". According to the Law, the redemption of land in Israel, and the
raising up of children, had to be done by the eldest son in the family. Redemption could
only be effected by the next of kin. However Boaz probably knew perfectly well that the
question of marrying a Moabitess would be a stumbling block in his brother's way. He
therefore promises to perform the office of the kinsman-redeemer himself should his
brother fail to do so.
So in the early morning Ruth returns to Naomi, taking with her a generous supply of
grain. Needless to say Naomi is anxious to know how she had got on. Ruth tells her, and
is obviously not a little anxious as to how the matter will be settled. Naomi comforts her
with the words in verse 18:
"Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the
man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day."
How wise this mother-in-law is and how well she knows the human heart. Boaz was
in love and therefore would brook no delay. That very day Ruth would have the answer.