Ruth and Naomi

Ruth was a Moabite woman, meaning that she was a descendant of Lot. Though not an Israelite, her marriage to Naomis' son was not condemned because the Moabites were considered relatives. Ruth is praised because of her loyalty to her mother-in-law after the death of her husband. When the two return to Bethlehem, Ruth goes to work to provide for herself and Naomi. Surely through divine guidance, she finds herself at the field of a close relative, Boaz. Remember that it was commanded that the nearest of kin marry a widow so as to produce an heir in the family name of the deceased. This would ensure that the land would stay in the family. Knowing Boaz to be a good man and wanting her daughter-in-law to re-marry and be provided for, Naomi instructed Ruth to ask Boaz to redeem her. The scenario involving the threshing floor has been said to be a euphemism for a sexual encounter, but this does not jive with the rest of the story. Yes, the word "feet" was a euphemism for "private parts", but it also literally meant FEET. The word is exactly the same in both instances. The purpose of uncovering Boaz's feet could have been to cause him to awaken (due to the draft) or could be some kind of ritual involving marriage proposals, (of which there were many in that day). This was Ruth's opportunity to be alone with Boaz for an intimate discussion, but not necessarily for an intimate liaison. There were many other workers sleeping on the threshing floor, which was an open-air structure. Hardly an ideal set-up for a sexual tryst. Furthermore, it says that she "lay at his feet until the morning". If this was a euphemism for sex, it would have been an outrageously lengthy encounter. Boaz was impressed with her virtue, noting that she had not gone after younger men but was seeking the honorable solution to her childless predicament. He sought to protect her reputation by sending her away under the cover of night, which is further evidence that she was not a "loose" woman. And as we will learn in tomorrow's reading, she is in the line of Christ as the great-grandmother of King David. She was richly rewarded for her willingness to do the right thing.

Tomorrow's reading: Ruth 4:13-22; 1 Chronicles 1-4:23; 1 Samuel 1:1-8