Ruth 3:8–9: “Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. And he said, ‘Who are you?’ So she answered, ‘I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a near kinsman.'”

May 8th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

To our modern, Western cultural way of thinking, it seems like Naomi asked Ruth to act in a presumptuous, unladylike way. But in reality she was acting strictly in accordance with the law and society of Israel at that time. This was how in that culture a younger woman would make a proposal. In other words, it would be taken as a clear indication of Ruth’s desire to marry Boaz. He, being an older, gracious, godly man, would not have presumed to initiate marriage with a younger woman unless she first showed interest in this way.

Ruth asked Boaz in very clear terms to marry her, to provide and protect her: “take your maidservant under your wing.” Boaz had used the same term in chapter 2 when he described God’s protection of her: “under whose wings you have come for refuge.” The image is of the way a mother bird protectively spreads her wings over her baby; it carries the idea of spreading wings over someone, offering the protection that comes through relationship.

We notice that the basis of her request was that Boaz was a near relative; and according to God’s law, he could assume the responsibility of marrying her. It is interesting that she wasn’t asking him to respond emotionally, but rather to the call of God in his life. It sounds strange to our ears, but it was in accordance with God’s law. And, therefore, it was the wise and safe thing to do. We find here a perfect picture of what happens when we come to Jesus Christ and accept His sacrifice for us; He brings us under His wing—His protection.

“LORD, we want to live today in the center of Your will for us. Cleanse us and use us we ask.”

=============================================================

Ruth 3 KJV

¹ Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? ² And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor. ³ Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. ⁴ And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.  ⁵ And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do. ⁶ And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. ⁷ And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. ⁸ And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.  ⁹ 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. ¹⁰ 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. ¹¹ 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.  ¹² And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. ¹³ 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. ¹⁴ And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. ¹⁵ Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.  ¹⁶ And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. ¹⁷ And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. 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.