“He (our Kinsman Redeemer)
will not rest...”
Ruth –Chapter 3
Chapt. 1: “Life is
not fair” –God is
working even
when we don’t
understand
Chapt. 2: Jehovah
Jireh: Our God
provides –He is
the same
yesterday, today,
and forever
Chapter 3 He will not rest...
V1 Naomi states her motive: “I must find a home
for you, where you (Ruth) will be provided for...” Boaz
is our family guardian/kinsman redeemer (2:20):
Kinsman Redeemer/Family Guardian:
Role: Legal Obligation: (Lev 25) to protect the
vulnerable family
Responsibility: buy back the family land &
marry deceased relative’s widow to raise up an
heir so the deceased’s name will not be lost
Requirement: be a close relative, willing, and
financially able to perform the transactions.
Jewish Encyclopedia
(M. Jastrow, B.
Eerdmans, and L.
Ginzberg):
Boaz was 80+ years old
and Ruth was in her
late 30’s – early 40’s. In
their research, they
state that Boaz died a
few days or the day
after their wedding
night.
Boaz’s commitment would require him to:
1) Protect and provide for both Naomi and Ruth
2) He would be expected to buy back Elimelek’s land –
sold during the famine
3) Marry Ruth to provide a legal heir for Naomi
V2 Naomi continues her instructions to Ruth: Boaz
will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor.
V3 Go get cleaned up and go to the threshing floor,
be sure no one sees you (Ruth)
V4 Notice where he lies down, then go and uncover
his feet and lie down. When he awakes, he will tell you
what you must do.
V5-6 Ruth replies that she will do everything Naomi
instructs her to do
V7-8 Boaz finishes what he is doing, lies down near
the pile of barley and falls asleep. Ruth lies down at
his feet. In the middle of the night, Boaz wakes up
and discovers a woman at his feet...he is ‘startled’
or ‘panics’
V9 Boaz asks, “Who are you?” Ruth responds,
“Your servant Ruth, please cover me with a corner
of your garment for you are our family guardian.”
V10 Boaz: “The Lord bless you, my daughter. This
kindness is greater than what you’ve shown earlier!
You could have gone after a younger man”... Boaz
is in his 80’s and Ruth in her late 30’s – early 40’s.
Wheat – no “hair”
Barley –seorah = hair...a
symbol of awareness of
sin. Lev 23 uses a ‘hairy
goat’ as the sin offering &
barley in the Feasts of
First Fruits. I Cor 15, Paul
says that Jesus’ sacrifice
satisfied the First Fruits
Feast through His
resurrection
V11-13 Boaz tells Ruth not be be afraid, everyone
knows how noble you (Ruth) are, stay until morning
and he will talk with the closer family guardian and if
he wants to redeem Naomi’s property – then so be it,
but if not...I will (Boaz will).
V14 Ruth stayed the night and left early dawn –no one
can recognize her...protects their reputation
V15 Boaz poured 6 measures of barley into her shawl,
ties it on Ruth, then he goes to town.
6 measures = man’s labor – telling Naomi that her
work is complete, Boaz will do the rest...
barley –not wheat –Lev 23 barley is used for the
Feast of First Fruits –I Cor 15 = the resurrection
V16-17 Ruth tells Naomi everything, Boaz
gave Ruth the barley as a sign for Naomi
to ‘rest’... He sent Ruth with the barley so
Naomi would not be empty handed...The
Lord heard Naomi’s prayers.
V18 Naomi said, “Wait...until you find out
what happens. For this man (Boaz) will
not rest until the matter is settled today.”
Who is your Kinsman Redeemer?
He offered Himself for us as our barley sin
offering...
The rose from the dead, I Cor 15, as the First
Fruit of the Resurrection...
He will not rest until the fullness of our
salvation is completed –when we, too, will be
resurrected and live with Him eternally!
