A Place at His Feet
Ruth 3: 7-18
It is impossible to fully understand the emotion and anxiety Ruth must’ve felt at this moment in her life. She had left the devastation of Moab, in search of a new beginning, in a strange and foreign land. We can only imagine what she might have thought in those early days in Bethlehem. She was likely overwhelmed with the good fortune she had received since making her way to a new place. They had come with nothing but despair and need, and she had found nothing but favor and abundance.
By now Ruth is well aware of the significance of Boaz in her life. She is well aware of the possibilities associated with him. She knows Boaz is a near kinsman and he could potentially redeem her, providing hope and a new life. She has spent much time in his field, all the while getting more acquainted with him and his ways. She has made the necessary preparation to meet Boaz and now the moment of truth has come. It is time to meet Boaz and find out whether her hopes of redemption will be fulfilled.
These verses are filled with truth and paint a beautiful picture of salvation by grace. I want to look at the certainties in these verses as consider: A Place at His Feet.
I. The Resolve of Ruth – She may have been a widow woman from Moab, a place not well thought of in Bethlehem, but she was a woman of courage and commitment. Ruth’s resolve serves as a challenge for all believers.
A. Her Submission (7b) – Ruth was well aware of the significance of this meeting. She knew Boaz presented the opportunity for redemption. She was committed to doing all she could to ensure she was received of Boaz. She came softly, uncovering his feet, and laid down. She had entered his presence, but she hadn’t spoken. She was not there to make demands or force herself upon him. She had come quietly, submitted to Boaz, awaiting his instruction.
This is how all must come before the Lord. We are in no position to make any demands of God. We are undeserving of any of His favor. We have no right to demand or expect anything from the Lord. All we receive is a gift of His good grace. We must come humbly in submission.
B. Her Supplication (9b) – Ruth makes a significant request: spread thy skirt over thine handmaid. In our society that doesn’t make a lot of sense. We would assume Ruth had gotten cold in the night, but this was actually a proposal of marriage. When a man spread his garment over a woman he was declaring his intent to marry her. This was a bold request, but Ruth was in a desperate situation. Without someone being willing to marry her and assume the debt she possessed; she had no hope for the future. Marriage was her only hope to escape the devastation of her past. I think it is worth mentioning that Ruth was not interested in any man, she genuinely desired Boaz. He had proven his ability and shown compassion.
When you consider the desperation of sin, it is a pretty bold request to seek the Lord in salvation. Who are we to come before the Son of God and seek His forgiveness and blessing? We are not worthy of His grace and goodness, yet the Lord desires to provide. He wants us to come to Him, seeking a relationship with Him. By the way, there is no need to seek salvation from another. Jesus is the only way. He is the only one who has the ability and compassion to save!
C. Her Sincerity (14a) – And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. Ruth was committed to doing whatever was required to ensure her redemption. She did exactly as Boaz had requested. She lay at his feet all night and rose before the dawn.
Many today will admit their need for the Lord. Many know they are lost and stand in need of salvation, but few are willing to seek the Lord and tarry at His feet in order to receive it. Some want to come to the Lord on their terms, seeking to set the boundaries and aspects of salvation. All must come as Ruth did, with a heart of sincerity and submission.
II. The Response of Boaz – Ruth took a great risk in coming to Boaz as she did. There was no guarantee as to how he would respond. He could have been embarrassed by her actions. He could have been angered at her, possibly hurting his reputation. He could have even misunderstood her altogether and assumed she was a woman of the world. Boaz continues to reveal his character in his response to Ruth. Notice:
A. He Recognized Her Presence (8-9a) – Boaz did not treat her with contempt or anger. He simply asked her name. He realized that someone had drawn near to him in the night.
There is comfort in this simple truth. Our Lord would never be startled by us coming near to Him. He knows all about us at all times, but He does desire us to draw near to Him. He desires us to come near and fellowship with Him. He wants all to come to Him in repentance. Jn.6:37 – All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. Jam.4:8 – Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
B. He Recognized Her Persistence (10a) – Boaz was not unaware of the kindness Ruth had shown to Naomi. He was well aware of her commitment and persistence in seeking to provide for her. Boaz knew Ruth was there out of love for Naomi and a desire to help her.
This really has no application for salvation. Most people have some good in them, but good people don’t go to heaven and bad people don’t go to hell. We are saved only by the grace of God, apart from our works or merit. God will honor those who are persistent in their pursuit of Him and His holiness. He will bless those who seek a life that honors Him. He will reward those who show compassion toward others and seek to serve at all costs.
C. He Recognized Her Purity (10b) – thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. Ruth likely didn’t realize it, but Boaz had been watching her life. He took notice of her the first day she entered his field and he had been aware of her life since that time. He knew she was not a woman who sought only to please the flesh with worldly men. He recognized Ruth was a woman of purity.
Our society needs to learn the lesson that Ruth lived by. Our world is filled with those who seek only to please the flesh. Society may have rejected it, but God has commanded the marriage bed to be undefiled. It is still biblical to remain pure before the Lord, keeping ourselves for our spouse, consummating the marriage after the vows have been made!
D. He Recognized Her Position (11-13) – Boaz was aware that Ruth was in a desperate situation. She was a widow from Moab. Finding a kinsman willing to redeem her was her only hope. There was a kinsman who was closer in relation than Boaz, but if he refused, Boaz promised to fulfill the obligation of her redeemer.
Our blessed Lord was aware of our position also. He knew that apart from Him we had no hope. He knew we stood condemned before God in our sin. He was willing to give Himself as the sacrifice for our sin. Unlike Boaz, there was not another kinsman who could redeem. Christ was the only hope for humanity. I’m glad He knew my position and chose to provide my redemption!
III. The Reward of Ruth (15-18) – These remaining verses reveal the abundance Ruth received by meeting with Boaz. Consider:
A. The Provision (15) – As Ruth left the threshing-floor that day, she did not leave without provision. This was now the soon-to-be wife of Boaz. He was committed to caring for his bride. She was given six measures of barley. Some estimate that to be around 24 gallons or 88 lbs of barley, a significant amount. There had been handfuls of purpose before, but this was a promise of redemption and more to come!
I have never received anything that compares to the abundance of our Lord. He daily loads us with benefits. He continually meets our need. As much as we have received, it cannot compare to that which awaits!
B. The Expectation (16) – And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. Naomi had not asked because she did not recognize Ruth. She asked to see if there had been a change in the relationship. Are you still Ruth the widow from Moab or Ruth the bride of Boaz? Naomi was enquiring whether there was to be a wedding in the near future.
We could ask the same question of each other as well. Who are we? Are we a sinner of the world or are we part of the bride of Christ. There is going to be a wedding one day and I am planning on being part of the celebration. What a day that will be when we gather around the throne for that wedding in the sky!
C. The Restoration (17) – And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. Once again we find what a difference a day can make. Do you remember how Naomi responded to those who gathered around when they returned to Bethlehem? Ruth 1:20-21 – And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. [21a] I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: They were no longer empty and wanting. God had used Boaz to provide all they needed. The devastation of Moab was behind with only joy and fullness ahead.
The world offers nothing but suffering and despair. God doesn’t desire us to dwell in a land of suffering and want. He desires us to dwell in His abundant land of plenty! If you have been trying to survive on the meagerness of this world, God can restore you and offer life abundant.
D. The Confirmation (18) – Then said she, 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. Naomi offered great words of comfort and hope to Ruth. She encouraged her to sit still and rest without worry. Boaz was a mighty man of wealth. He was a man of character. He would not lay his head down that evening until this matter was resolved. “Ruth you can count on Boaz; he will provide for you.”
That verse would be easy to read over and miss its great significance. For me it is one of the most profound in the entire book. Our Boaz has gone away to make provision for us. We can rest in the assurance of knowing that He will one day come for His bride! There is a lot that is uncertain in this life, but our future with the Lord is certain and it is secure!
Conclusion: You will have to agree that Ruth found more than she ever expected at the feet of Boaz. Her life was about to be changed forever because of her relationship with Boaz.
Christ has the ability to do far more for us than Boaz did for Ruth. There is hope and life in Him. I trust you know Him as your Lord and Savior. If not, could I encourage you to spend some time at His feet getting to know Him!
