Love for Broken People (Ruth 3)

There is something remarkable in how Jesus cares for the most broken of sinners--something that grips our hearts. The painting of Rembrant above casts the spotlight upon the broken adulteress, condemned by the world but beloved by Jesus. Like this adulteress, we too find ourselves on our knees, desperately hoping that the God who alone condemns will be for us the God who alone can save. There is something of this love to be found in the story of Ruth and Boaz as we continue through the book of Ruth.

While Naomi's story is largely tied up at this point, Ruth's is really just getting started. The story of Ruth began in the tear-soaked loneliness of being a believer amongst unbelievers, as well as mingled grief and hope as Ruth walks through unbelievable suffering (the loss of husband and relatives, no child, etc.) and is sustained by God-given faith. This faith is rewarded by Boaz, standing as a representative of God, in securing Ruth in a heaven-like home where she finally finds comfort and a family. But while Ruth is now secured in the household of Boaz, she is not yet beloved. It is one thing to be embraced; another to be loved to the very core of our brokenness.

In Ruth 3, we see Noami, now walking by faith as well, hatch a plan for Ruth to become the bride of Boaz. Ruth has to carry out the plan and Boaz has to successfully see God's hand in these events. In other words, in order for Ruth to come away as a beloved bride in this precious tale, the mind of Naomi, the heart of Ruth, and the eyes of Boaz must all be equipped by God in His providence in such a way as to perfectly sync up. Only if God's providence is perfectly executed through these three ordinary actors will Ruth come away as one thoroughly beloved.

But there is a HUGE problem lying in the way of this desired outcome. In order to be beloved as a bride, Ruth must portray herself as a prostitute. Already, there are points weighing against Ruth in this encounter. She is still a Moabitess, and until this chapter, has often been referred to as such. She still is largely known by her identity as a woman belonging to a people known to lead God's people into spiritual adultery. Now, she is not shying away from this reputation. She dolls herself up for the encounter (v3) and goes to the threshing floor, where she will uncover the feet of Boaz and lie upon him (v4).

Let's zoom in a little more of what Ruth plans to do. Remember, this is the time of the Judges where "everyone does what is right in his own eyes." It is an incredibly immoral culture at this time. Much of this activity occurred during the harvest season, when men are on the threshing floors and not with their wives. Thus, for Ruth the Moabitess to go to the threshing floor at this time would definitely convey that she's looking for a little something-something. On top of all of this, she will uncover the feet of Boaz once he's good and inebriated. The term for "feet" in the Hebrew was often used as a euphemism for a man's private parts. While it may be too far to assume a sexual act here, we should at least notice that Ruth is uncovering part of the body of Boaz and lying upon it--an incredibly intimate act.

Boaz will have too look past all of this and see a bride rather than a prostitute. That night, Boaz awakes and is startled to find Ruth lying over part of his body. "Who are you," he asks. To this point, Ruth may have spoken in the same way she did in ch.2, "I am your servant, though I am not one of your servants." But in a great moment of faith, Ruth declares "I am Ruth, your servant" (v8). She is no longer an outsider, but a woman with a name! She then repeats the words of Boaz back to him. In ch.2, he praised Ruth for taking refuge under God's wings. Now, she is essence tells Boaz to take those wings of God and wrap them around Ruth himself. She also reveals that Boaz is her redeemer, which means that he is bound by blood to rescue her from her desperate and broken state.

This is the moment of decision. Will Boaz cast out the prostitute, or embrace the bride? We all know the answer. He looks past the seductive garments and sees the pure heart. He sees the risk she took in faith (v10) and calls this foreigner a "worthy woman" (v11). There is a big wrinkle that now arises--there is another family redeemer who is closer in relation to Naomi and Ruth, and thus has the right to redeem them before Boaz (v12). But, if this man does not choose to do so, Boaz pledges to be that redeemer (v13).

Continuing to play on the prostitute image, Boaz warns Ruth the next morning not to tell anyone she was there (v14). He then gives her six measures of barley seed and sends her home. When Naomi hears what happened, she tells Ruth to wait. This dear daughter has walked in faith until this point. Now is the time to rest and and accept that her life is in the hands of another. Next week, we will see if Boaz secures his bride.

In the meantime, notice that Boaz told Ruth that there is a redeemer closer than himself (v12). This is one of the overriding themes of the book--that this true historical story is actually a reflection of God's redemptive purposes for His people. Ultimately, the lives of these two dear women are not in the hands of Boaz, but the hands of God. And this God is the one who sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to secure His prostitute people to Himself and treat them as the bride. Like the adulteress, Jesus does not condemn us in our sin--as ugly as it is--but cleanses us in His own blood and dresses us in His righteousness. May we savor this love and not besmirch it with our own insecurities. We are His bride, which means that we are beautiful in His eyes.