Boaz has prayed for Ruth to be rewarded for finding shelter under the Lords wings (Ruth 2:12), and now she asks him to be the Almightys wings of protection over her (3:9). (Hosea 8:1-2). Consider the concept of the kinsman-redeemer, which lies behind Ruth 34. Boaz did not just pray for Ruth to be covered, he moved to shelter her in the Lords name when the opportunity presented itself. Id rather have one guy that I had to say, Hey, hey, hey, wait a minute, wait a minute, than ten guys who say, Did you ever think of this? Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. If shed gone home and said, Oh, I didnt go down to the barn, that would have been a flat-out lieif shed gone home, or whatever it be. Ibn Ezra and Gersonides, avoiding any suggestion of intimacy, define margelotav as the feet and foot of the bed, respectively. Ruth and Boaz: A Cute Little Love Story or Much More? - Zondervan Academic How did Ruth propose to Boaz? - urhelpmate.com It is possible that alternatives exist but these are the most common. Moab was not a Canaanite nation, and so those laws did not apply to Ruth and Boaz. In fact, the more I thought about this during the week, Im not sure I like Naomis plan. Even so, Boazs praise of her kindness is not an approval of Ruths methods. Did you ever think of that? Its a reminder to us as well that everything that is described in the Bible is not prescribed in the Bible. Therefore, we need to apply another principle in relationship to those who may be tempted to take this descriptive passage and say, You know, I think this is a very interesting strategy for interpersonal relationships and for getting closer to the opposite sex, and weve developed a whole booklet on this now, and, you know, I can just see, within a very short period of time, somebodys got a tape series on this called Uncovering the Feet of Your Future Spouse, and it becomes a whole deal. You may have to wait until your grandchildren, Grandpa, because that may not be just exactly what your daughter has in mind. Hes got all his clothes on, presumably. And so she says, Well, Im your servant Ruth. Notice how she describes herself. But Ruth is a wonderful example of somebody who, as soon as she got the rudiments of it together, she said, Fine, Im going for it. A Midnight Encounter (Ruth 3) October 14 - United Church of God Alistair Begg explains how this moment in Ruths life displayed her sincere trust in Gods care and protection. And although the events and the actions and the details seem distinctly strange to our twenty-first century way of thinking, nevertheless, here God providentially overrules all of this for the well-being of his people. Hey, take this, and take this, and take this, and take this! And shes going, Hey, thanks very much, you know. I find when Im watching Boaz or observing his responses I dont know. Option #1 No Idiom Exists. Naomi suggests to Ruth that they need to take matters into their own hands. Thats the kind of flavor here. They are penniless. Boaz is a potential redeemer, and Naomi declares the Lords kindness at once when she learns her daughter-in-law has been gleaning in his fields (vv. We dealt last time with the opening little sectionit was all that we really had time forof chapter 3. What are you going for? This theory rests on the fact that the threshing floor was a site of great romantic significance. Ancient Hebrew is one of those languages which was prone to being filled with idioms. 2018 23 Jan The story of Ruth is a tender one. 5 I will do whatever you say, Ruth answered. In other words, David knew one thing would lead to the other. What people will say! Jackie Kendall A Study of Ruth and Boaz in the Bible Before Tristan and Isolde, before Romeo and Juliet, and even before Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth of Pride and Prejudice, there were Boaz and Ruth. But it was the fashion at Athens to anoint even the feet of those men who were very luxurious with ointment, a custom which Cephisodorus alludes to in his Trophonius, But the author of the Procris gives an account of what care ought to be taken of Procriss dog, speaking of a dog as if he were a man, [p. 886]And Antiphanes, in his Alcestis, represents some one as anointing his feet with oil; but in his Mendicant Priest of Cybele, he says, And Anaxandrides, in his Protesilaus, says, And Teleclides, in his Prytanes, alludes to the lives of the citizens, even in the time of Themistocles, as having been very much devoted to luxury. He has been in her companyalbeit not a lot, but enoughso that he doesnt entertain any suspicious thoughts concerning her. Amen. Many interpreters read Ruth as a happy-ending romance featuring Ruth, the beautiful young Moabite widow who captivated the heart of the older wealthy landowner Boaz. Therefore, she gives herself away, first in her commitment to Naomi, and now in her commitment to Boaz. Not exactly what you would call a romantic picture, is it? I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman (Ruth 3:1011). She dependent upon Boazs mercy; we dependent upon Christs mercy. Originally published in Tabletalk, our daily Bible study magazine. The circumstances for that to take place would have to be the same as the circumstances here, 1200 BC. If Ruth pursued Boaz, why can't I pursue a guy? - Boundless Boaz kindly offers to ensure that she and Naomi are redeemed. You might hold off on bad news, but you dont want to hold off on good news. Why did Boaz warn her to let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor? They may never have read their Bible in seventeen weeks, but as soon as they find a passage like this, theyre off to the races. Gentle persuasions and serious advice may frequently be put to good use. [1] Also evidence seems to indicate the possibility that a sexual encounter occurred. However, Boaz was not wearing the garment; he was using his outer garment as a blanket. Its use as a cultic site is a practical one. So the story is not like the front of a Hollywood set that exists so that some story can be told on the basis of a fabrication. Ruth Sermon by I. Grant Spong, Ruth 1, Ruth 2, Ruth 3, Ruth 4 "Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. This is a real person at a real moment in time, living in a real environment, in a Judean village, 1200 years BC. The Jewish laws would have to be in place concerning marriage. Thats him, you know: Sunrise, sunset. If the father does not approve he is to be given the third in silver for her virginity, and give her to whomever he wants. This would make a lot of sense in ancient Israel as the harvest time was accompanied by celebrations. The Hebrew word for security in verse one is the same word for rest in Ruth 1:9, where Naomi hoped that her daughters-in-law would find rest and security in the home of a new husband. There is no need to assume she performed a sexual act or that the meaning of her behavior has been lost to history. Listen Watch October 21, 2001 Ruth Proposes to Boaz From Series: God of the Ordinary by Alistair Begg Ruth 3:7-18 (ID: 2256) In Ruth 3, a single woman travels at night to a barn full of men, uncovers the feet of one man, then proposes marriage. Besides reminding readers of the Joseph story, it is likely that the narrator wants readers to recall the story of Tamar and Judah. Perhaps this accounts for the mysterious parts of Ruths behavior. Were there elements of this that were unknown to Ruth? What did it mean to spread the corner of your garment over someone? Nevertheless, once Boaz fully awoke he appeared to understand what was happening. Shes not trapped in all of this. 615; Matt. Lets examine the evidence. You understand? Boaz is trusting in God. Verse 13: In the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. This is why Naomi and Ruth were such buds, you know. In Chapter 2, she didn't seek out Boaz personally and demand a redemption marriage for Ruth. Incorrect password. Naomi is trusting in God. We thank you for the ongoing relationship that we have with so many in Christ who are scattered far from us here this evening. Because Im gonna guarantee the man will not rest until the matter is settled today. Paraphrased: Hes hot to trot! And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain" ( Ruth 3:6-7a ). . Look whats going on here! But Boaz does neither. By showing restraint and respect for her and her nearest of kin Boaz really comes out of the story looking like a man of integrity. So we have to stop and save that for next time. Threshing floors were places of celebration, drinking, and sometimes debauchery. And theyre in the waiting room, and theyre waiting to make sure that all of the implications of their actions are detailed for themthat the eventualities of what would happen if they went there, and then, of course, if the road divided here and they took a right, then that would of course place them here, which would in turn make it difficult for them to get there, and so on. Would you like to try that?, Put your perfume on, get your clothes on, wash your face, go down, uncover his feet., And verse 913, then, you have the dialogue in the darkness. No, King David Never Danced Naked Before The Lord. If that is true of Boaz, that means he was either naked or in his undergarments while sleeping under his outer garment. Click the link in that email to complete registration so you can comment. Ruth Ruth was a Moabitessa Gentilewho married into the family of Naomi when she wed Mahlon, the son of Naomi and her deceased husband Elimelech. This young widow came with her likewise widowed mother-in-law Naomi to Israel and began, through the hard work of gleaning, to provide for them. The story started when Naomi, in her sadness, decided to move back to Bethlehem after the death of her husband and two sons. And Ruth, cause her mother-in-law said, is going down, and next she has to uncover his feet, which she does. And shes either got it on her back, or shes got it on her front, and off she goes up the road, and Naomis watching for her. Biblical Archaeology: Exploring The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q246 Apocryphon of D Ruth did exactly as described but the meaning is lost to history, Ruth made some form of sexual contact with Boaz, Ruth did something to show she was available but nothing more. And, of course, the instruction that has been given to Ruth and which she has been in accord with is that she should go down to the threshing floor, not interrupt Boaz while hes having his meal, but make sure that she finds out where it is that he lies down, because once hes gone off to sleep and under cover of darkness, shes actually going to show up and uncover his feet. The fact that she was sneaking in and that she was eventually snuck out (3:14), seems to indicate that what she was doing was not an approved behavior. The difficulty here is that it was rather common for a wealthy person in ancient Rome to have a slave, concubine, or hired worker anoint and massage their feet. It makes me think of somebody. Yeah, its making you think of somebody. Gersonidesinterprets do not make yourself known to the man as do not let anyone see you going to the field tonight., Ruth should then see where Boaz lies down, and then go in and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what you should do. Is the uncovering of his feet a euphemism? Ruth Proposes to Boaz (Part 1 of 2) - Programs - Truth For Life The method of seducing a bride before marriage was not uncommon, however. And she doesnt actually convey to us, as we read of her life, the kind of preoccupation that can be the part and parcel of someone who has been bereaved in a particular way as she has. 1) carefulness to avoid appearances of evil 2) careful to keep Ruth pure for nearer kinsman. Hes certainly pushing grain around like crazy. And so discretion is the better part of valor. Alistair Begg is Senior Pastor at Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Bible teacher on Truth For Life, which is heard on the radio and online around the world. How did Naomi suggest that Ruth propose marriage to Boaz? He realizes exactly what is taking place. Was he afraid people might take her for a lady of the night? Ruth's love for and desire to provide for her bereft mother-in-law motivates her pursuit of Boaz. Ruth was pushing the boundaries but also following the customs of the time. This actually speaks to the anonymity that was so much a part of Eastern dress, that it wouldnt be immediately apparent to him, especially in the darkness, just exactly who it was he was dealing with. July 8, 2014 by Scott Croft Does the story of Ruth and Boaz prove your theory wrong of men initiating dating relationships and women responding? How was Boaz and Ruth's marriage not a violation of God's law? Ruth approaches him in the dark with what many commentators believe is a sexual overture. Okay. [2] Other examples where feet seem to be a euphemism for genitals are: II Samuel11:8, where King Davidinstructs Uriahto go home and have sex with his wife: Go down to your house and wash your feet. In Isaiah 7:20, the prophet predicts that God will have Assyria shave the Israelites beards and the head and hair of the feet. Deuteronomy 28:57 speaks of an afterbirth that came out from between her feet.. Shes looking at this girl, and shes saying, You know what? The patriarch Judah did not allow Tamar to fulfill the levirate marriage with his third son, because his first two sons had died after being married to her. Did Jesus or The New Testament Authors Quote from The Apocryphal Books? Ruth nestles into the time period when the judges ruled, which is around approximately 1200 years BC. In the last chapter of Proverbs, the author asks whether anyone can find "a worthy woman" ( Prov 31:10 ). The expectation for threshing floor sexual encounters seems to mentioned by the prophet Hosea. Some have right pointed out that Ruth was not Jewish which is important to recall since the point of the book is that a Moabite woman played an important role in the lineage of King David. You see, the law of Moses allowed for a woman to request marriage from a kinsman-redeemer. Ruth Proposes to Boaz Ruth 3:7-18 Sermon Includes Transcript 43:20 ID: 2256 Adding to My Library is a great way to keep a list of sermons, programs, and ministry resources in your account. Look at verse 11: Dont be afraid. [3] Boazis compared to Joseph in the Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin19b, and in the Targum to verse 8. That is why Boaz praises her (Ruth 3:10). THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH [Text, Translation, & Tablets], Archaic and Outdated Words in The King James Bible (KJV). All of this seems to point towards a woman who is trying to become a one-night-stand bride. Top 10 Worst Christian Fashions And Clothing. May I ask you, what are you going for? She was going for the future. Site Map. Shes not sitting in the house bemoaning the fact of her widowhood; shes saying to her daughter-in-law, Now, come on. She being covered over by the corner of his garment; we being covered over by the blood of the covenant, by which he welcomes us with a steadfast love. Bringing in the Sheaves (Ruth 2) October 13 - United Church of God Amen. The good news is, theyre not. Based on the evidence supplied it seems best to conclude that option #4 makes the most sense. I think he looks like Topol in Fiddler on the Roof, myself. Why did Ruth uncover Boaz' feet? When Boaz awoke, Ruth said, "Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative" (Ruth 3:9).
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