Ruth's Redeemer

“Ruth’s Redeemer”

Ruth 3:1-18

As residents of the state of Arkansas we are perhaps more aware than many American’s of the residents of Dogpatch. Dogpatch was a theme park from 1968 until 1993 located in northwest Arkan-sas between the cities of Harrison and Jasper. The park was based on the comic strip “Li'l Abner,” created by cartoonist Al Capp and set in a fictional village called “Dogpatch.”

In the comic strip Hekzebiah Hawkins, the mayor of Dogpatch has a daughter named Sadie that was so ugly that he despaired of ever seeing her married. In desperation he decreed a “Sadie Hawkins Day.” On that day all the unmarried men in Dogpatch had to line up and were given a ten-second head start, after which Sadie and all the unmarried women of Dogpatch would chase them. The man that each woman caught was then taken before “Marryin Sam” for a shotgun wedding. Apparently Sadie was as quick as she was ugly and caught her man. But the ladies of Dogpatch liked it so much that it became an annual affair cherished by the women and dreaded by the men. [W. Gary Philips. “Judges, Ruth” Holman Old Testament Commentary. (Nashville: Holman Reference, 2004) p. 335]

Although beginning as a made-up holiday but ended up turning into an American folk event. An event which is celebrated annually and on this day, it is traditionally for women to ask men out on a date.

In our Biblical story of Ruth we see “a servant demanding that the boss marry her, a Moabite making demands of an Israelite, a woman making demands of a man, a poor person making demands of a rich person.” [Daniel I. Block. “Judges, Ruth.” The New American Commentary. (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1999) p. 692]

The story of Ruth and Boaz is a love story but beyond the scenes is the real love story of how God loves us and provides for our redemption.

First, A Plan For Redemption. (3:1-4)

• The Problem. (v. 1)

“Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?”

The Hebrew for “security” (manowach) (v.1) is the same word translated “rest” in Ruth 1:9. Naomi hoped that her daughter-in-law would find “rest” or “security” in the home of a new husband. For us this “rest” portrays what we as lost sinner find when we enter into a relationship with Jesus.

• The Summary. (v. 2a)

“Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative?...”

Although the Bible does not tell us of Boaz’s exact relationship to Elimelech, Jewish tradition suggests that he was Elimelech’s nephew and therefore the cousin of Ruth’s husband (Mahlon). Boaz’s father being Elimelech’s brother. [Mark Robinson. “Ruth and Boaz: The Story of the Kinsman Redeemer.” Israel My Glory. (Feb./March 1993.) pp. 12-14]

• The Prescription. (vv. 2b-5)

? Ruth is told to wash, anoint herself,

and put on her best garment – (3:2b-3)

“…In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor;”

Daniel Block in his commentary sees a parallel to the actions of David recorded in (2 Sam 12:20). When David’s son finally died, he washed himself and put on perfumed oil and put on his “best garment” (it is the same Hebrew word used here to as “best garment”) and entered the Temple to worship. All of David’s actions were indicative that his time of mourning was over. It may well be that until this time Ruth had always worn the garments indicating that she was a widow. Similarly, it may be Ruth’s preparation would indicate that her formal mourning period is over. This is also a possible explanation for Boaz’s lack of reserve in the romance department. Now Ruth change in personal appearance would be a visual indication that she was ready to return to normal life, including the possibly of marriage. [Block. p. 684]

? Ruth is told to wait until Boaz has

eaten and fallen asleep then uncover his feet and lie down, and await his response – (vv.3b-4)

“…but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do.”

The possibility of misinterpretation of

this scheme is enormous. Naomi seems to be taking a huge gamble that Boaz may not interpret Ruth’s actions in the way in which she means.

He could awaken and willingly accept her actions as common prostitute. He could awaken and see her actions as proposition and as a virtu-ous man chase her away. Or Boaz could awaken and immediately understand the true nature of Ruth’s actions and respond favorably. ..For a purely human perspective the desired response was actually the least likely to occur. [Block. p. 587]