Ruth, Chapter 3

Naomi is so encouraged that she begins to play matchmaker. She tells Ruth what to do, and Ruth does it.

She goes to Boaz's threshing floor after dinner, and after Boaz has lain down to sleep. She lies down at his feet, uncovering his feet. There is nothing sexual in this encounter. She is claiming her rights as a widow in Israel.

Boaz awakens in the middle of the night and sees a woman lying at his feet. He demands to know who she is. She answers that she is his maid Ruth, then said, "...spread your covering over your maid, for you are a redeemer." This is a proposal of marriage. She is challenging him to do his duty as kinsman-redeemer.

Boaz blesses her for doing and saying this, and agrees to take the matter in hand immediately. However, he told her there was a redeemer closer than he, and he must settle it with him first.

Before daybreak, Boaz fills Ruth's cloak with barley, and she goes home to Naomi. Naomi is pleased with Ruth's report, and assures her that Boaz will settle the matter that day.

Naomi is really the one to be redeemed here, as you will see in the last chapter, but see how the Lord does this.