Ruth Chapter 3: Waiting at the Feet of Her Redeemer
The barley harvest was coming to an end. Ruth had faithfully worked in the fields of Boaz, gathering enough grain to provide for herself and Naomi. God had already shown them great kindness, but Naomi knew that Ruth needed more than food—she needed security, a home and someone who would care for her.
Naomi understood that Boaz was one of their close relatives. Under the law of Israel, a near relative could act as a “kinsman-redeemer.” He could protect the family, preserve its inheritance and marry the widow of a deceased relative.
One day, Naomi said to Ruth:
“My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?”
— Ruth 3:1
Naomi explained that Boaz would be winnowing barley at the threshing floor that evening. She instructed Ruth to wash, anoint herself, put on clean clothing and go quietly to the threshing floor. Ruth was to wait until Boaz had finished eating and had gone to sleep. Then she was to uncover the place at his feet and lie down there.
This may sound strange to us today, but Ruth was not acting improperly. By lying at Boaz’s feet, she was humbly asking him to accept the responsibility of becoming her family’s redeemer.
Ruth trusted Naomi and replied:
“All that thou sayest unto me I will do.”
— Ruth 3:5
That evening, Ruth went to the threshing floor and followed Naomi’s instructions. After Boaz had finished his work, he lay down beside the grain. Ruth quietly approached, uncovered his feet and lay down.
At midnight, Boaz suddenly awoke. Startled to find someone lying at his feet, he asked:
“Who art thou?”
Ruth answered:
“I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.”
— Ruth 3:9
Ruth was asking Boaz to place her under his protection. She was not demanding anything from him; she was humbly appealing to his kindness and faithfulness.
Boaz was deeply moved by her request. Ruth could have pursued a younger man, whether rich or poor, but she desired to honour God’s law and protect Naomi’s family line.
Boaz replied:
“Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter.”
He assured Ruth that he was willing to become her redeemer. Everyone in Bethlehem knew that Ruth was a virtuous woman. Her loyalty, hard work and godly character had become known throughout the town.
However, there was one difficulty. Boaz explained that another relative was more closely related to Naomi’s family and therefore had the first right to redeem them.
Boaz promised:
“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.”
— Ruth 3:13
Boaz wanted Ruth, but he also wanted to do what was right. He refused to ignore God’s order or act dishonestly. He promised to settle the matter as soon as possible.
Ruth remained safely at his feet until early morning. Before she left, Boaz filled her covering with six measures of barley. Ruth returned to Naomi carrying another generous gift from the man who was willing to redeem her.
When Naomi saw Ruth, she eagerly asked what had happened. Ruth told her everything Boaz had said and showed her the barley he had given her.
Naomi understood the character of Boaz. She knew that he would not delay or rest until the matter was settled. She told Ruth:
“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.”
— Ruth 3:18
Ruth had done all that she could do. Now she had to wait and trust her redeemer to act on her behalf.
This chapter gives us a beautiful picture of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Like Ruth, we come to our Redeemer with nothing to offer except our faith and surrender. We bow at His feet and ask Him to cover us with His grace.
Boaz was willing to pay the price to redeem Ruth, but Jesus paid an even greater price to redeem us. He gave His life upon the cross, shedding His precious blood to save us from sin.
There are times when we must act in faith, and there are also times when we must sit still and trust the Lord. Ruth could not arrange everything herself, but she could depend upon Boaz to keep his promise.
Child of God, if you have placed your life in the hands of Jesus, you can trust Him with your future. Your Redeemer will not forget you, abandon you or fail to finish the work He has begun.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
— Philippians 1:6
Ruth waited with confidence because Boaz had given his word. We can wait with even greater confidence because our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, always keeps His promises.
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!4th September 2026
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