Ruth 3:17-18
3:16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go for you, my daughter?” And she told her all that the man had done for her.
17 And she said, “These six measures of barley he gave to me,
for he said, ‘Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.'”
18 Then she said, “Stay home, my daughter,
until you know for certain how a matter turns out;
for the man will not rest until he has settled the matter this day.”
Introduction
Our text this morning continues our study of the book of Ruth.
Now remember the story thus far: it is early in the morning and Ruth has returned home after a long night at the threshing floor, where according to Naomi’s plan, she has asked Boaz to redeem their family by marrying her, the widow of his kinsman.
Well the moment Ruth stumbles through the door, she plops a big ol bundle of grain down and tells an anxiously waiting Naomi how everything went: Boaz has agreed to all that Ruth has asked. However, there is another relative who is closer to the family than Boaz is. As such, the first right of marrying Ruth must be given to him. Therefore, Boaz says that in the morning he will go and find out if this other relative is willing to redeem/marry Ruth. If he is, then good; but if not, Boaz pledges before YHWH that he will marry Ruth himself.
In our text this morning, the conversation between Ruth and Naomi continues. You see, there is still the matter of the big old bundle of grain that Boaz gave Ruth. Not only that, we have yet to hear Naomi’s response to all that Ruth has told her.
Verse 17
Notice at once, after telling Naomi all the main details of the night before and assuring her of Boaz’s pledge to see the matter settled, Ruth goes on to explain the big ol pile of grain that she has brought home. Now, after gleaning for two harvests under Boaz’s lavish provision, Ruth arriving home with lots of grain was a common scene. However, Ruth did not go to the threshing floor that night to work or glean. Therefore, there should have been no grain. So what’s up? Notice then Ruth tells Naomi that Boaz gave her these 6 measures of barley. Not only that, notice the lavishness/emphasis in the word order of Ruth’s report. In the Hebrew (and thus reflected by the translation) the amount of grain comes first and then the verb “he gave” follows. Simply put, the word order intentionally places the emphasis/focus (first mention) on the amount of grain that was given. In other words, what Boaz has provided Ruth for cover (so she looked like a worker gathering her wages first thing in the morning) was a significantly more than the normal wages of a worker (it was more than just cover). Why? Listen to what else Ruth says.
Next, notice the explanation that Ruth gives for the grain and its lavish amount. Ruth says that Boaz gave her the 6 measures of grain because he said that she should not return to her mother-in-law empty-handed. Importance: at once verse 17 confirms our reading thus far: notice then Boaz not only gives the grain to Ruth in order to provide her with the cover of an expected activity (she looks like a worker collecting her pay and not some floozy returning from a fling); its lavish nature also serves as a concrete message/pledge to Naomi that Boaz is committed to seeing the women provided for (one way or the other). However, there are two additional points that we need to attend:
First, notice that the author has continued his impersonal approach to the account, along with the upheaval it represents. Thus, in a book that is all about names Boaz and Ruth are still referred to only by pronouns (not their Hebrew names). In turn, Naomi is simply called mother-in-law. Why? At this point in the account, no one knows who they are. No one knows if Naomi’s plan is indeed Pleasant to God. No one knows if Boaz is the Strength and deliverer that God has provided. And as it stands now, nobody knows whose Companion Ruth will wind up being. Importance: it is this uncertainty that defines the entire psychological and emotional energy of the account and thus it serves as the backdrop of everything that is taking place.
The second point we need to attend is that verse 17 provides a detail of the conversation between Ruth and Boaz that we did not hear back in verse 15. Importance: this is the second time the author provides us with additional information through Ruth’s reporting on a previous conversation (the first time was back in 2:21 where Ruth adds in her account to Naomi that Boaz has instructed her to glean with his workers through both the wheat and the barley harvests). Notice then the point: in each case the author withholds this additional information, letting us hear it for the first time along with Naomi. Why? By doing so he allows us to share Naomi’s discovery/realization of the depth of Boaz’s kindness, character, and commitment FN#1. Notice the result: Ruth does not simply return home with an account of what Boaz said. Instead, she arrives home with a concrete pledge/ assurance from Boaz to Naomi. In other words, Boaz is not simply being nice here nor is he merely continuing his former provision for the family. Instead, he is sending his official pledge to see Ruth married to the head and authority of the family (under whose charge Ruth falls). Notice the result: in a book that is all about legal transactions and in the midst of all the upheaval that is going on, Boaz (In Strength) sends a strong and poignant assurance that he will see the matter resolved. Such then not only shows Boaz’s character, it also shows his compassion. In other words, Boaz sends Naomi the very thing that he knows she needs most, which is kesed (committed love), a firm assurance that all will be taken care of.
Verse 18
Notice at once how Naomi responds to Ruth’s report: first, notice we do not have any of the squealing, jumping up and down, or frantic exuberance to begin planning a wedding. Instead, Naomi tells Ruth to sit down and stay at home. Importance: in a book that is all about legal transactions, we find Naomi responding to Ruth’s report with the authority of the family head. As such, she instructs her daughter-in-law (her charge) how she is to proceed. Simply put, verse 18 opens with Naomi (the head of the house) directing her household’s part in the matter. Notice then what Naomi instructs Ruth to do: Naomi tells Ruth to stay home. In other words, Ruth is not to go out to work that day as was her custom. Instead, she is to stay put. Why? As there was most certainly going to be a public discussion about Ruth, it is probably best that she lay low and let Boaz (a leader in the community) handle the matter. Second, Naomi tells Ruth that she is to stay home until she knows for certain how the matter turns out. In other words, Ruth is not to grow impatient or take matters into her own hands. She does not need to go and see how things are progressing or try to assist the matter in moving along. Instead, she is to let Boaz be Boaz and handle it. Importance: in a book that is all about legal transactions Naomi’s instructions serve as a transition from her house/authority to that of the kinsman redeemer’s. Ruth is to trust YHWH and respect her hoped-to-be-husband, allowing both to work. This does not mean she is passive or docile. Ruth has very actively and competently done her part (a part which God has used as a central factor). However, it is now time to let YHWH’s other instruments do their part (which at times is the hardest part of faithfulness) FN#2.
Next, notice the reason that Naomi gives for her instructions: she tells Ruth that the man will not rest until he has settled the matter FN#3. In other words, Ruth need not fret; Boaz is going to do his part. Not only that, Naomi goes on to say that Boaz will see the matter settled this very day. In other words, he will not delay or get to things when he has a convenient moment. Instead, he will do exactly as he promised (which is see the matter resolved that day- 3:13). Notice the result: Naomi bases the entire reason for her instructions on her confidence in Boaz. How is that possible? Think about it: Naomi has been away for over a decade (1:4). Not only that, the women arrived back in town just as the harvest was starting. There is no indication from the text that during this busy time that Naomi and Boaz had any contact. So how is Naomi basing everything on a confidence in Boaz? First, she has seen Boaz’s character and his kindness to her family in action throughout two whole harvests. Not only that, she has heard the vow that Boaz has made before YHWH; and she has received his concrete pledge of lavish grain. However, more importantly, in all these things she has sensed God’s hand at work through Boaz. That is, Naomi has found Boaz’s heart and actions to be moving in sync with her prayers and YHWH’ committed love. Simply put, Naomi’s confidence in Boaz is rooted in her confidence and hope in YHWH. Therefore, she instructs her daughter-in-law to trust YHWH and YHWH’s instrument.
Bottom line: as Naomi finishes her instructions, Ruth sits down in a huff. She has been sidelined with everything still so up in the air. There is nothing to do now but wait. Five minutes later both women are vigorously cleaning the house. So as we leave Naomi and Ruth, the closing scene is one in which YHWH’s hand is most certainly at work. You can tell because it is a scene of faith and frantic hope amid the greatest of uncertainty (which is very often the exact way that God calls you and me to trust him- with everything on the line and completely out of our control).
As the curtain closes and the stage lights fade, take one last good look at the women, with their buckets and sponges in hand. This is the last time that you will see them until the very end of the book, when everything is settled. Their part in the story is done. To them now belongs the arduous task of waiting and trusting and praying and waiting. YHWH is in control.
Footnotes
1] At the same time, by introducing new information the author keeps the account fresh and engaging (versus redundant) for his readers. That said, in each case, the particular nature of the information he reserves further underscores Boaz’s character and so allows us to share this discovery with Naomi.
2] Importance: there seems to be more at work here than just Naomi giving advice for the current situation. Instead, in a book that is all about legal transactions, it seems that Naomi’s advice is preparing Ruth for her transition to another house and another head. Notice then we have already seen glimpses of this in Naomi telling Ruth to let Boaz work. Here as Naomi continues her instructions, she does so by using a proverb. Notice then, Naomi does not say wait here until you know how the matter turns out. Instead, she uses a general, universal, proverbial saying: one should wait until they know for certain how a matter turns out. That is, Naomi is applying a general proverbial saying to the specific situation at hand (don’t act in haste. Wait until you know). Notice then the point: Naomi is not only instructing Ruth on what to do at that particular moment, she is also demonstrating a principle of how Ruth should conduct herself with a competent and goodly man (versus the knucklehead Mahlon/Sick who was her apostate and now deceased first husband). Such then further demonstrates Naomi guiding her daughter-in-law (her charge) through the transition from one household to that of another.
3] Notice: at its root the Hebrew word here for rest (יִשְׁקֹט֙) means to have peace. Thus, Naomi is saying far more than simply Boaz will not cease from outward activity until the matter is resolve. Instead, the notion she uses here (having no rest/peace) points to an inner unsettledness that drives outward action. In other words, the family’s redemption is a matter of first importance to Boaz. Why? It is a matter of first importance to YHWH, his God.