Ruth 3:9
7 When In Strength (Boaz) had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain;
then she came quietly, and uncovered his feet and lay down.8 And it came about in the middle of the night that the man was startled and sat up feeling around; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
9 And he said, “Who are you?”
And she answered, “I am Companion (Ruth) your maid.
So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a family guardian.”
Introduction
Our text this morning continues our study of the book of Ruth.
Now remember, last week Ruth turned to set Naomi’s plan to secure their family’s wellbeing into action. Therefore, Ruth goes to the threshing floor and once Boaz is asleep, she uncovers his feet, and lies down at his feet. Why? To do so is a formal and culturally recognized request for marriage.
Well at some point in the night Boaz is startled and sits up and begins to feel around for whatever it is that is at his feet. And to his shock it is a woman.
Importance: at this very point in the text, everything (Naomi and Ruth’s future, their wellbeing, Ruth’s reputation, a king, a Messiah, everything) hangs in the balance of what is going to happen next. How will Boaz respond? Will the plan falter? Will Ruth be rejected and publically disgraced?
In our text this morning, Scripture begins to unfold the next.
Verse 9
Notice at once, when Boaz first wakes up he is annoyed and groggy. However, the shock of finding a woman lying at his feet has startled him wide awake. The whole situation is strange. In fact, it looks a lot like one of those formal requests that you hear about from time to time. But who would make such a request? Remember Boaz has only seen Ruth in mourning cloths. And those who are in morning do not make such requests. As such, we can hear the confusion in Boaz’s voice as he tries to wrap his head around what is going on. Notice then all he can think/manage to say is “who are you”. Importance: knowing who she is might give a clue as to what and why she is there.
Next, notice how this scared young woman with everything on the line replies: First, notice the manner of her reply: Ruth begins her reply with a first person independent (or standalone) pronoun. Remember, in Hebrew the vast majority of pronouns are included in the verb form. Thus to use an independent pronoun (a long form) adds formality and respect to her reply (kind of like in English saying “I am Ruth sir” instead of just casually blurting out “Ruth”). Importance: this formality and respect set the tone for Ruth’s entire reply and are something we will see throughout this verse. Not only that, Ruth’s reply shows us Ruth’s composure under enormous pressure. Notice then what she says: Ruth answers, I am Companion, your maid. Importance: in a book that is all about names, it is both significant and deliberate that this is the first time in all of chapter 3 that we hear Ruth’s actual name FN#1. Hitherto she has only been referred to by pronouns. Why? Up to now the focus has been on Naomi and her plan and on Boaz, the strength that God has provided. However, at this point in the account, the focus shifts to Ruth and YHWH’s acceptance and provision for His child. Notice the result of all of this: Ruth has come into her own (she is called by name). She is a child of God (hers is a Hebrew name); YHWH is with her and her voice is clear and steady. Not only that, notice the drama the author is quietly preparing us to see. Notice then the first time we hear “Companion” in chapter 3, it is no longer simply as Naomi’s widowed daughter-in-law. Instead, the author conspicuously drops Ruth’s name in the context of remarriage and a request to be Boaz’s companion. Importance: behind every detail of this scene we see the quiet and faithful hand of YHWH working in the real life situations of His people.
Next, notice Ruth adds to her reply that she is Companion, Boaz’s maid. Importance: notice at once the telling contrast: remember, the last time we heard Ruth speaking to Boaz was back in 2:13. And there she referred to herself as a female slave. In fact, she goes on to say that as a foreigner she is not even on par with the lowest female slaves of Boaz’s house. However, here in verse 9 Ruth uses a completely different word to refer to herself. She says I am Ruth your maid FN#2. Importance: the change in terms shows an important shift in Ruth’s self-understanding and self-presentation. Notice then throughout the Old Testament the term maid was often softened and used in a figurative/polite sense to express humility and respect. Thus, a woman would often refer to herself as a maid when talking to a person in authority FN#3. Notice then the point: Ruth’s use of the word maid to describe herself at once shows her deference to Boaz and thus continues the formality and respect with which she began her response (the formal 1st person independent pronoun). However, at the same time, her change in terminology shows her gain in confidence. How? First, she now knows Boaz’s relationship and responsibility to her family. Thus, what she is asking is not improper or presumptuous. Instead, it is what Old Testament law and custom allow. At the same time, she has come to terms with the fact that her conversion means that she has been accepted by YHWH as one of His people. She is no longer a slave or foreigner. Instead, she is Hebrew Companion (Ruth), a child of God, and therefore fully qualified to marry a Hebrew, especially one with a moral obligation to her family. Simply put, Ruth answers Boaz respectfully and with humility but not in her former self-denigrating manner. Instead, hers is a quiet and sturdy confidence from YHWH FN#4.
Next, notice Ruth says “spread your covering over your maid”. In other words, Ruth articulates the specific request behind her symbolic act of uncovering Boaz’s feet. Why? She does so to insure that everyone is on the same page. Notice then the picture: Ruth has uncovered Boaz’s feet and has lain down beneath them. She now asks Boaz to spread/return that covering over her as well. That is, the request to spread his covering over her is a formal and recognized request to marry her (to take her under his care and authority)FN#5. Not only that, notice Ruth once again refers to herself as Boaz’s maid. Importance: this repetition not only continues Ruth’s show of respect and dependency on Boaz; more importantly, it echoes/reasserts Boaz’s moral tie to his kinsman’s family. Ruth is Boaz’s maid. Thus as his kinsman’s widow she is his responsibility. In fact, Ruth’s entire request is based on this single tie/fact FN#6. Therefore, it is no surprise to find her politely and gently (albeit confidently) doubling down on this tie as she makes her entreaty.
Finally, Ruth makes the grounds for her request explicit. She is asking Boaz to marry her because he is one of their family guardians. That is, Boaz is a close relative who qualifies for the role of guardian/redeemer. Now remember a family guardian/redeemer was one who had the responsibility and social/moral obligation to care for the widow of his deceased kinsmen. In other words, Ruth is specifically making an official request that Boaz would take on the full legal role of family guardian and thus redeem his kinsman’s line by marrying her, the widow of his kinsman’s house. Not only that, remember the book of Ruth is a book that is all about the future. Thus, behind this notion of a guardian/redeemer and the care for a deceased kinsman’s family are the notions of preserving (or carrying forward) one’s place in the land, line, and future of God’s people FN#7. Notice then the surprise: it is not just Elimelech’s future that is being secured. Instead, God is solidifying Ruth’s full and permanent place among His people. God has received her; Boaz recognized it; Naomi came to see it; but now through marriage and offspring Ruth’s name will be officially/publically registered in the role of God’s people (full inclusion)
Bottom line: as Ruth concludes her replay, she is amazed at how calm and cool she sounded. Nonetheless, she has done exactly what Naomi told her to do. But how will Boaz take it? Will he reject her request and leave her and Naomi destitute? Will he feel cornered and so respond in a rage, running Ruth off and publically humiliating her? The silence is deafening. Ruth can feel her heart pounding out each passing second. Therefore, as Ruth breathlessly waits for what Boaz will do or say next, she says a quick prayer (it’s all she knows to do)- Oh YHWH, my God, please be with me.
Footnotes
1] This is the first time in all of chapter 3 that we hear Ruth’s actual name despite the fact that she has been a central participant in all the action.
2] In 2:13 Ruth refers to herself as a slave (שִׁפְחָה- maidservant). Here in 3:9 she uses a different and softer word of deference (אָמָה- maid)
Ruth 2:13 Then she said, “May I always find favor in your eyes, my lord,
for you have comforted me and indeed have spoken fortitude directly to the heart of your lowest maidservant (שִׁפְחָה), though I am not even on par with one of your lowest maidservants.”
3] A wife or perspective wife would often refer to herself as a maid when talking to her husband (e.g. 1Sam 25:14). Other times a woman would refer to herself as the maid of a person in authority (e.g. 1Sam 1:16). In both cases the term expressed deference and respect. – Harris Theological Workbook
4] Importance: every detail of verse 9 is showing us a profound spiritual change/growth in Ruth. In all likelihood, between verse 9 and Naomi and Ruth’s conversation after her first day of gleaning, Naomi has discipled Ruth, explaining and affirming just what being a child of YHWH means
5] A better way to understand this is that in uncovering Boaz’s feet, Ruth has made the request that he would marry her. Here in verse 9, by asking that Boaz would also cover her when he returns the cover to his feet, Ruth is asking for Boaz to accept her request. In other words, the uncovering is the request, while the re-covering is the response that Ruth is seeking and hoping for.
One final point to note: the word covering (כָּנָף) represents the edge of one’s cloak. It can also be translated wing. Throughout Scripture the image of spreading one’s tent, garment, or wings over another indicates taking that person under their care and protection in a binding covenant or marriage relationship (c.f. Rev 7:15, Song of Sol 2:4, Eze 16:8).
6] Remember the book of Ruth is not a romance motivated by passion. Instead, it is a book about the faithfulness, value and commitment that are born out of love (be it God’s loving commitment to His people; or His people’s loving commitment to God and the children of His covenant/plan)
7] The idea here is that Elimelech’s line will not die out but will continue its place in the role, plan, and future of God’s people because the first child born by such redemption will be counted as a member of Elimelech’s house/line (by way of his deceased son’s widow). Thus, Elimelech’s name/line will continue into the future of God’s people through this child.
Notice then, the redeemer must be a brother or close relative of Elimelech’s house, while the woman is a widow of that house. Thus, on both accounts, there is a proximity (direct relation/tie/connection) to Elimelech’s house (which a non-relative does not have) as well as a legal declaration to act on behalf of that house.
That said, the point here is that it is not just Elimelech who is being given place in the future of God’s people, Ruth too is being given the same. Thus, through marriage and offspring Ruth’s name is officially registered in and contributes to the ongoing role of God’s people. Notice then, when we turn to Matthew 1:5 we not only find Ruth’s name in the genealogy of Israel, we find it in the very line of the Messiah.