Commentary - Ruth 3:6-13

Bird's-eye view

In this central passage of the book, we come to the pivotal moment. All the quiet faithfulness of the previous chapters, all the providential care of God, now culminates in a scene of high drama and even higher character. This is the threshing floor, a place of harvest and separation, and here Ruth, acting on the wise counsel of Naomi, makes a bold and covenantal appeal to Boaz. This is not a story of modern romance; it is a story of redemption. Ruth is not acting out of romantic impulse but out of covenantal duty, seeking to preserve the name of the dead. Boaz, for his part, is not a passive recipient of her affections but a righteous man who must navigate the law of God with integrity. The entire scene is a test of character for both, and a beautiful foreshadowing of the greater Redeemer to come, who would also come secretly, in the middle of the night of the world's history, to redeem His bride.

Outline

The Threshing Floor

The threshing floor was a public place, but at night, after the work and celebration of the harvest, it was a place of vulnerability. For a woman to approach a man here was risky and could easily be misconstrued. This is why the character of both Ruth and Boaz is so central. Our culture, steeped in Freudian assumptions, rushes to find sexual overtones in every shadow. But the text presents this as a legal and covenantal transaction, albeit a highly personal and delicate one. The act of uncovering the feet was a symbolic gesture of a subordinate making a petition to a superior. Ruth is not seducing Boaz; she is submitting to him and appealing to his lawful position as a kinsman redeemer.

This scene is a microcosm of how God's people are to act. We are to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Ruth's actions are bold, but they are rooted in the law of God. She is taking a great risk, but it is a risk of faith, trusting in the character of Boaz and the providence of God. This is the opposite of presumption. Presumption acts without warrant; faith acts on God's promises, even when the path is fraught with peril.

Verse 6

So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her.

The narrative begins with simple, faithful obedience. Ruth does not second-guess Naomi's plan. She does not offer amendments. She does what she was told. This is the foundation of all that follows. True faith is not just a matter of internal assent; it is demonstrated in works of obedience. Ruth's trust in God is manifested through her trust in the godly counsel of her mother-in-law. This is a picture of orderly, submissive faith. The younger woman heeds the wisdom of the elder. This is how God's household is meant to function.

Verse 7

And Boaz ate and drank and his heart was merry, and he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came secretly and uncovered his feet and lay down.

Boaz is a man enjoying the fruit of his labor, a blessing from God. His heart is merry, which indicates a cheerful spirit, not drunken foolishness. He is a man of substance and self-control. He lies down to sleep at the end of the grain heap, guarding his harvest. Then Ruth comes. The word is "secretly" or "softly." Her approach is quiet and deliberate. The key action is that she "uncovered his feet and lay down." This is the symbolic act. She is placing herself at his feet, in the position of a servant, asking for his protection. It is an act of profound humility and vulnerability, a silent plea for him to fulfill his role as redeemer.

Verse 8

Then it happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.

The middle of the night is a time of confusion and alarm. Boaz is startled from his sleep. The text captures the surprise and drama of the moment. He doesn't know who is there or what is happening. And then, "behold." The word invites us to see the scene as he saw it: a woman at his feet. This is the moment of decision. How will this righteous man respond? Will he react with anger, fear, or passion? His character is now on full display.

Verse 9

And he said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maidservant. So spread your wing over your maidservant, for you are a kinsman redeemer.”

Boaz acts with prudence. He doesn't assume; he asks. "Who are you?" Ruth's answer is a model of clarity and purpose. First, she identifies herself: "I am Ruth your maidservant." She takes her proper place. Then she makes her request, and it is rich with covenantal meaning: "So spread your wing over your maidservant." The word for "wing" is kanaph, the same word Boaz used in his blessing over her in chapter 2, when he prayed that she would find refuge under the "wings" of Yahweh. Ruth is now asking Boaz to be the earthly instrument of that divine protection. She is, in effect, saying, "You prayed that God would cover me; now, you be the man to do it." And she gives the legal basis for her request: "for you are a kinsman redeemer" (goel). This is not a shot in the dark. It is a lawful claim on a covenantal obligation.

Verse 10

Then he said, “May you be blessed of Yahweh, my daughter. You have shown your last lovingkindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.”

Boaz's first response is not suspicion, but a blessing. He sees her action for what it is: an act of profound covenant loyalty, or hesed. He praises this "last lovingkindness" as even greater than her first, which was her loyalty to Naomi. Why? Because she is now acting to preserve the family line of her deceased husband. This is a selfless act. He notes that she could have pursued her own interests by going after the young men, whether for love or money. But she chose the path of duty, the path of redemption. Her choice reveals her character. She is not driven by youthful passion but by mature faithfulness. Boaz is not being flattered; he is recognizing and commending true virtue.

Verse 11

So now, my daughter, do not fear. All that you say, I will do for you; for all my people within the gates of the city know that you are a woman of excellence.

"Do not fear." These are the words of a protector, a true head. He calms her anxiety and gives her his solemn promise. He will do everything she has asked. And what is the basis for this extraordinary commitment? Her reputation. "All my people...know that you are a woman of excellence." The phrase is eshet chayil, the same term used to describe the ideal woman in Proverbs 31. This is not a private opinion; it is a public fact. Ruth's consistent, godly character, demonstrated day in and day out in the sight of the whole town, is the foundation upon which this entire transaction rests. Virtue has consequences, and here we see its glorious reward.

Verse 12

But now it is true I am a kinsman redeemer; however, there is a kinsman redeemer closer than I.

Here we see the integrity of Boaz shine. He is willing to redeem her, but he will not do so unlawfully. He reveals a complication: there is another man with a prior legal claim. A lesser man, driven by desire, might have ignored this detail. But Boaz is a man who fears God, and that means he honors God's law, down to the last detail. He will not cut corners. He will not manipulate the situation for his own benefit. His desire to do good is governed by his commitment to do right. This is the mark of true righteousness.

Verse 13

Stay this night, and it will be in the morning that, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not desire to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as Yahweh lives. Lie down until morning.”

Boaz takes charge. He provides immediate protection for her ("Stay this night") and lays out a clear, lawful plan. The closer kinsman will be given the first right of refusal. Boaz is submitted to God's process. But if that man refuses, Boaz binds himself with a solemn oath before God: "as Yahweh lives, I will redeem you." This is no light promise. He is staking his life and honor on his word. He is her protector, her advocate, and her promised redeemer. His final command, "Lie down until morning," is an act of tender, protective authority. He is guarding her safety and her reputation until he can resolve the matter publicly and honorably.

Application

This passage is a master class in godly character. Ruth displays bold faith, rooted in humble obedience. She takes a great risk, but it is a calculated risk based on the law of God and the character of Boaz. She is a true eshet chayil, a woman of excellence whose virtue is her strength.

Boaz is a model of masculine integrity. He is joyful but self-controlled, prudent, gracious, and utterly committed to the law of God. He is a protector and a provider. He does not take advantage of Ruth's vulnerability but instead honors her, blesses her, and pledges himself to her cause with a solemn oath. He is a magnificent type of Christ, our great Kinsman Redeemer.

Like Ruth, the Church comes to Christ with nothing, appealing to His grace. We ask Him to spread His wing over us. And like Boaz, Christ does not turn us away. He blesses us, promises to do all that is required for our redemption, and seals it with an oath. He did not cut corners but fulfilled the law perfectly on our behalf. He is the redeemer who was not only willing, but fully able, to pay the price. This story reminds us that God works out His grand purposes of redemption through the faithful, obedient, and virtuous actions of His people in the midst of their ordinary lives.