Ruth 3:1 - Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

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Bible Comments

Ruth 3:3. Anoint thee. Oil was used on many occasions because it gave a lustre to the countenance. Psalms 104:15; Matthew 6:10.

Ruth 3:4. Mark the place. The Hebrews were what we now call gentlemen farmers; yet they would aid their servants in watching the corn. Boaz gave them rest at night, that they might work by day.

Ruth 3:9. I am Ruth thine handmaid; spread thy skirt; take me for thy wife, because thou art the near kinsman of my late husband. Clandestine marriages were never sanctioned by any nation. They might surprise a man into a covenant which his more sober judgment would endeavour to revoke; and however solemn the oath might be in secret, if the man should prove unfaithful after the consummation of marriage, the ruined woman would want evidence to assert her right in her husband, and in his property. Every woman who surrenders her virtue to the promises of a pretended lover, whatever pity may plead in her behalf, must be regarded as the victim of her seducer. And sad experience has evinced how little regard a wicked man pays to an oath, though made in the name of the Lord. Now, on the singular case of Ruth, commentators are not agreed. But, first, Naomi's motives were pure. She sought a family establishment for the best of daughters. Secondly, the law authorized her so to do; and the law which required the next of kin to raise up issue to a man who had died childless was an ancient law. Genesis 34. It had probably existed from the beginning of the world. It was founded on prudence and humanity: for the firstborn of every patriarchal branch was a prince, and a priest in his family; and consequently to be childless was considered as a great calamity, being attended with the loss of name and of inheritance. Hence the good and wise Naomi advised the fair stranger to ask her rights conformably to law, and she was emboldened to do it in the way she did from the particular notice which Boaz had shown towards her daughter. But Boaz being now between eighty and ninety years of age, and exceedingly rich; she did not think it prudent to apply to him in the regular way, lest his family, which would undoubtedly be opposed to the marriage, should frustrate all her hopes. Therefore she advised Ruth to make her just and legal claims in person, and in secret. Ruth acted solely by the advice of her mother, and was impelled by a sort of imperious necessity to approach by night: and as she obtained a blessing, not a rebuke from Boaz, followed by a secret promise and oath of marriage, her character is exempted from blame. She prostrated at the feet of her patron and near kinsman; and though he said, let no one know that a woman came into the floor, it might merely be a caution to avoid giving umbrage to the man who was nearer of kin than himself.

Ruth 3:13. Tarry this night. She could not get into the city till the gates were opened. In warm countries they often lodge in sheltered places abroad. The manner of betrothing was by an oath of the Lord, and by the acceptance of presents. Ruth obtained this favour because of her virtues, in not following young men; her virtues make her more known than can be done by a bold exposure of her person in public places.

Ruth 3:18. The man will not be at rest until he have finished the thing this day. So it is with the Lord Christ, our near kinsman; he will not be at rest till he has performed his faithful word, and saved the soul from sin and death.

REFLECTIONS.

From the private interview of Boaz and Ruth, we learn the great prudence and moral lustre of his character. He was cautious to avoid public scandal and reproach. Revering the law of the Lord, he conditionally gave Ruth an oath and promise of marriage. His love to this damsel of Moab was pure and disinterested; he loved her for her piety, and piety was the principal consideration in his affections. Towards the nearer kinsman, though he wished him not to marry, he behaved with legal fairness, firmly resolved to support the interests of the fair and virtuous stranger. Marriages thus preseded with virtue, distinguished by prudent counsel and disinterestedness, shall assuredly be blessed of the Lord.

Related Commentaries of Ruth 3:1

Ruth 3:1-18

1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.

3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncovera his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.

5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.

6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.

7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turnedb himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the cityc of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.

14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.

15 Also he said, Bring the vaild that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.

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.

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.

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.