WHAT I HAVE LEARNED:
Meanings of Names
Naomi = My Pleasant One, or Pleasant
Ruth = Appearance, or Beauty
Boaz = In Him Is Strength
The Lord (JHVH; Heb. Jehovah) = He That Is, That Was, And That Is To Come
Summary of the Chapter
Naomi informs Ruth that Boaz is a kinsman-redeemer (vv.1-2) and then instructs her with what she is to do (vv.3-4). Ruth agrees and does it (vv.5-6). Boaz awakes in the middle of the night to find Ruth at his feet (vv.7-8). Ruth informs Boaz that he is a kinsman-redeemer (v. 9). Boaz praises her (v.10) and says he will do according to her request (v.11), but informs her that there is a nearer kinsman-redeemer (v.12). Boaz tells her that if this man will redeem her, that is fine, but if he will not, he himself will redeem her according to her request (v.13). Early in the morning he loaded her up with six measures of barley and sent her on her way before anyone else would be awake or could recognize anyone else (vv.14-15). When she arrived home, she told her mother-in-law of all that happened and Naomi told her to be patient until the matter was settled (vv.16-18).
WILMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE
MATTHEW HENRY’S ABRIDGED COMMENTARY
The Directions Given To Ruth By Naomi
Ver. 1-5. The married state should be a rest, as much as any thing upon earth can be so, as it ought to fix the affections and form a connection for life. Therefore it should be engaged in with great seriousness, with earnest prayers for direction, for the blessing of God, and with regard to his precepts. Parents should carefully advice their children in this important concern, that it may be well with them as to their souls. Be it always remembered, That is best for us which is best for our souls.
The course Naomi advised appears strange to us; but it was according to the laws and usages of Israel. If the proposed measure had borne the appearance of evil, Naomi would not have advised it. Law and custom gave Ruth, who was now proselyted [proselyte: a person who converts from one belief to another] to assert this claim, Deut. 25:5-10. But this is not recorded for imitation in other times, and is not to be judged by modern rules. And if there had been any evil in it, Ruth was a woman of too much virtue and too much sense to have listened to it.
Boaz Acknowledges the Duty of A Kinsman
Ver. 6-13. What in one age or nation would be improper, is not always so in another age or another nation. Being a judge in Israel, Boaz would tell Ruth what she should do; also whether he had the right of redemption, and what methods must be taken, and what rites used, in order to accomplishing her marriage with him or another person.
The conduct of Boaz calls for the highest praise. He attempted not to take advantage of Ruth; he did not disdain her as a poor, destitute stranger nor suspect her of any ill intentions. He spoke honourably of her as a virtuous woman, made her a promise, and as soon as the morning arrived, sent her away with a present to her mother-in-law. Boaz made his promise conditional, for there was a kinsman nearer than he, to whom the right of redemption belonged.
Ruth’s Return To Her Mother-in-law
Ver. 14-18. Ruth had done all that was fit for her to do, she must patiently wait the event. Boaz, having undertaken this matter, would be sure to manage it well. Much more reason have true believers to cast their care on God, because he has promised to care for them. Our strength is to sit still, Isa. 30:7.
This narrative may encourage us to lay ourselves by faith at the feet of Christ: He is our near Kinsman; having taken our nature upon him. He has the right to redeem. Let us seek to receive from him his directions: Lord, what will you have me to do? Acts 9:6. He will never blame us as doing this unseasonably. And let us earnestly desire and seek the same rest for our children and friends, that it may be well with them also.
Meanings of Names
Naomi = My Pleasant One, or Pleasant
Ruth = Appearance, or Beauty
Boaz = In Him Is Strength
The Lord (JHVH; Heb. Jehovah) = He That Is, That Was, And That Is To Come
Summary of the Chapter
Naomi informs Ruth that Boaz is a kinsman-redeemer (vv.1-2) and then instructs her with what she is to do (vv.3-4). Ruth agrees and does it (vv.5-6). Boaz awakes in the middle of the night to find Ruth at his feet (vv.7-8). Ruth informs Boaz that he is a kinsman-redeemer (v. 9). Boaz praises her (v.10) and says he will do according to her request (v.11), but informs her that there is a nearer kinsman-redeemer (v.12). Boaz tells her that if this man will redeem her, that is fine, but if he will not, he himself will redeem her according to her request (v.13). Early in the morning he loaded her up with six measures of barley and sent her on her way before anyone else would be awake or could recognize anyone else (vv.14-15). When she arrived home, she told her mother-in-law of all that happened and Naomi told her to be patient until the matter was settled (vv.16-18).
WILMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE
- Naomi sends Ruth to Boaz with instructions for her to assume a position at his feet. This has been looked upon by some as an immoral act, but no one who knew the custom of Israel and the ancient oriental world would make such a claim. According to Hebrew law, Ruth was entitled to call upon her nearest of kin to fulfill the various duties of a kinsman redeemer. By this course of action, Ruth was doing just this. Boaz understood fully her request to: “spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou are a near kinsman” (3:9).
From this point on, Boaz took the necessary steps to marry Ruth. This custom is still practiced to some extent among the Arabs today. - Boaz then explains to Ruth why he had not proposed marriage to her before this time: “There is a kinsman nearer than I” (3:12).
- Ruth returns home to Naomi with a full report. Naomi reassures her concerning Boaz (3:18).
MATTHEW HENRY’S ABRIDGED COMMENTARY
The Directions Given To Ruth By Naomi
Ver. 1-5. The married state should be a rest, as much as any thing upon earth can be so, as it ought to fix the affections and form a connection for life. Therefore it should be engaged in with great seriousness, with earnest prayers for direction, for the blessing of God, and with regard to his precepts. Parents should carefully advice their children in this important concern, that it may be well with them as to their souls. Be it always remembered, That is best for us which is best for our souls.
The course Naomi advised appears strange to us; but it was according to the laws and usages of Israel. If the proposed measure had borne the appearance of evil, Naomi would not have advised it. Law and custom gave Ruth, who was now proselyted [proselyte: a person who converts from one belief to another] to assert this claim, Deut. 25:5-10. But this is not recorded for imitation in other times, and is not to be judged by modern rules. And if there had been any evil in it, Ruth was a woman of too much virtue and too much sense to have listened to it.
Boaz Acknowledges the Duty of A Kinsman
Ver. 6-13. What in one age or nation would be improper, is not always so in another age or another nation. Being a judge in Israel, Boaz would tell Ruth what she should do; also whether he had the right of redemption, and what methods must be taken, and what rites used, in order to accomplishing her marriage with him or another person.
The conduct of Boaz calls for the highest praise. He attempted not to take advantage of Ruth; he did not disdain her as a poor, destitute stranger nor suspect her of any ill intentions. He spoke honourably of her as a virtuous woman, made her a promise, and as soon as the morning arrived, sent her away with a present to her mother-in-law. Boaz made his promise conditional, for there was a kinsman nearer than he, to whom the right of redemption belonged.
Ruth’s Return To Her Mother-in-law
Ver. 14-18. Ruth had done all that was fit for her to do, she must patiently wait the event. Boaz, having undertaken this matter, would be sure to manage it well. Much more reason have true believers to cast their care on God, because he has promised to care for them. Our strength is to sit still, Isa. 30:7.
This narrative may encourage us to lay ourselves by faith at the feet of Christ: He is our near Kinsman; having taken our nature upon him. He has the right to redeem. Let us seek to receive from him his directions: Lord, what will you have me to do? Acts 9:6. He will never blame us as doing this unseasonably. And let us earnestly desire and seek the same rest for our children and friends, that it may be well with them also.