August 13, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Ruth, Proverbs, & Psalms? Here’s today’s reading:
Ruth 3 (NIV)
Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor
1 One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. 2 Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor.….Continue Reading
If you read this chapter without the cultural context of that time, it does sound like Naomi is encouraging Ruth to trap a man but that was not the case. Boaz was family and as a resut there was an expectation that he would marry and care for the widowed Ruth. Naomi’s counsel was actually one of humility and submissiveness in making this request. Must have been scary to hear there may be another that was a closer relative because she knew Boaz and he had already shown her such kindness, this other man may not be so caring. But what we do know is that God is continually protecting and providing for Naomi and Ruth!
Ruth 3
Ruth 3
Ruth 3
Ruth 3; Joel 1-3
Good thoughts Kelly. They were following the culture of the time which was to take care of widows. You can see how God is working to bring it all about. God bless you all.
How quaint these customs were. It allowed a woman like Ruth to express her desire to be wed as a widow (and looking her best), but leaving the decision to the man as to whether he would act on his responsibility. Boaz shows himself to be a man of character to not press his right when someone else is more worthy of it. And Ruth shows her humility to follow Naomi’s advice and not press Boaz to do more than he wants to, but also expressing what she is looking for. And all of this was God’s way to protect women that were vulnerable after losing a husband.
”And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.”“
Ruth 3:9 NKJV
So basically, Ruth proposes to Boaz by getting into his bed, at night, after he’s a little tipsy, in a room full of men? I’m thinking this was not the normal custom for a widow looking to be redeemed.
tough to say, but Naomi might know better than us..lol….but Boaz also points out that it was not appropriate but what was necessary for Ruth to make her need and willingness to be redeemed evident…
It does demonstrate an act of humility…extreme humility, on Ruth’s part and she is placing total trust in Boaz here. Trust he has earned in the past by protecting her in other situations.