Ruth has been working all summer, every day gleaning in the fields belonged to Boaz, and he has been watching her all this time.
(1) Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?
Now Naomi is going to give her the plan that she has been plotting all summer, according to the provision God had given to Israel to preserve the family lines and their property. She had probably explained the law to her before, now she will instruct her in how to implement it.
(2) Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were?
She reminds Ruth that Boaz is a close enough relative to be qualified to be the "kinsman redeemer" that the law provided. And he has already shown that he will not discriminate against her for being foreign, as his own mother was also foreign (Matthew 1: 5).
Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight.
They would normally have a big party to celebrate the harvest among those who would be winnowing the grain.
(3) Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor;
She tells her to get dolled up for the party.
but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.
But don't party with the rest of them, or let anyone know she's even there. She must protect her reputation.
(4) It shall be when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what you shall do."
Then when the festivities die down and he crashes for the night, she is to quietly approach him, lift his cover at his feet, and lie down at a right angle to him forming a "T", and wait. Then she is to follow his directions.
(5) She said to her, "All that you say I will do."
And Ruth was obedient, willing to do everything just as she said. Whether she understood it or not, it didn't matter.
Naomi had apparently watched this little drama playing out all summer, and planned out how and when Ruth could bring it to a head and get Boaz moving on it. This harvest party was the perfect event to get the ball rolling.
O my Father, I am enjoying this little drama playing out, just as You planned it! It's not the only love story You put into Your written Word, but I think it's the most charming! Father, You gave us romance and marriage to show us the relationship You want to have with each of us!
Father, You called Israel Your wife, who was unfaithful to You repeatedly. Now You are calling Your church the Bride of Christ, Your Son. And You cause us to be born into Your own family by giving us Your Holy Spirit into our human spirit, making it alive. This Holy Spirit of Life is Your life and power and strength; and as we are imbued with Your Spirit, being born spiritually, we are sharing the same Life of God that powers our God.
So, Father, You have made us one with You in Your Spirit, which is pictured by marriage, being one in the flesh. One flesh is earthly marriage, and one Spirit is heavenly marriage!
This is one of the pictures You gave us, so that we could have an understanding of heavenly, spiritual realities. It is one of the most important concepts You want us to know, so that's why the devil has twisted it. He has convinced so many of his deceived minions to think that "marriage" is just a human relationship that can be enjoyed in every kind of distorted manner. He is trying to destroy Your picture, Father, but he will not succeed.
O my Father God, those who treat Your pictures with careless disdain will pay the price. You are serious about Your pictures because You want us to see Your truth. Even Moses and Aaron were deprived of entering the Promised Land even after leading the people for 40 years, because they disrespected the picture of the Rock that was Christ (Numbers 20: 9-12).
Father, marriage is the most joyful and fulfilling relationship You have given us, but it can also bring pain and heartache when people do not follow Your ways. I pray for those who are married, to treat each other as You have treated us--to love each other in Your Love, and to remember Your blessing in their marriage.
O Father, open the eyes of those who are blind to Your realities. Let them see Your goodness and Your character and Your bounty that You want us to have, through Your dear Son, who came to be our Savior and Redeemer, and our Bridegroom.
Send out Your children, dear Father, to share Your love and Your message to the world. Let every living person in all the nations hear and understand the wonderful gift You are offering us all! Bring all of Your embryos to the birth, and fill Your great house with Your uncountable family!
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, our Bridegroom, the Lord God Almighty, King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
