Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor
3 One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. 2 Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”
5 “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.
7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet!
9 “Who are you?” he asked“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.”
Threshing was done at night because the harvesting was done during the day. Naomi gave Ruth advice that was in accordance with Israelite custom and law. A servant would lie at the master’s feet and even share part of his covering. This would show Boaz that he could be Ruth’s family redeemer. He could find someone to marry her, or he could marry her. Ruth followed Naomi’s advice. She knew Naomi was kind, trustworthy, and was filled with moral integrity. Be willing to listen to the advice of a person who is older and wiser than you are. This godly advice will be invaluable.
