Charles Ellicott Commentary Ruth 3
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Ruth 3
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Ruth 3
"And Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?" — Ruth 3:1 (ASV)
Rest. —Although Naomi had already (Ruth 1:12) repudiated any thought of marriage for herself, still she felt it her duty to do what she could to provide a home for the daughter-in-law who had so loyally followed her, lest her own death should leave her young companion especially unprotected and friendless. But there is clearly a second thought. The marriage of Boaz and Ruth will not only ensure rest for the latter, but will also raise up the seed of her dead son and preserve the family name.
That it may be well with thee. —The object of the marriage is for Ruth’s good, and so it should be with every marriage; it must be for the good, and comfort, and abiding peace, not of the body only, but of the soul.
"Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the threshing-floor, but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. And she said unto her, All that thou sayest I will do." — Ruth 3:3-5 (ASV)
The plan Naomi suggested seems unusual, yet some considerations may offer a certain perspective on it.
Naomi seems to have believed that Boaz was the nearest relative, being unaware of the one who was even closer (Ruth 3:12). Consequently, according to Israelite law (Deuteronomy 25:5 and following), it would be Boaz's duty to marry Ruth to raise up seed to the dead.
The general portrayal of Naomi’s character in this book clearly shows her to be a God-fearing woman. Therefore, it is certain that, however unusual its outward appearance, nothing she advised here could genuinely be contrary to God’s law or shocking to a virtuous man like Boaz; otherwise, Naomi would simply have utterly frustrated her own purpose.
Her knowledge of Ruth’s character, gained through long and close acquaintance, and undoubtedly also her knowledge of Boaz’s character by reputation, would have enabled her to feel confident that no negative consequences would result.
"And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do." — Ruth 3:4 (ASV)
Uncover his feet. —More literally, as the margin, lift up the clothes that are on his feet; so Septuagint and the Vulgate. We are told that the custom still prevails in Palestine of owners of crops sleeping on their threshing-floors, lying with their clothes on, but with their feet covered with a mantle.
"And she said unto her, All that thou sayest I will do." — Ruth 3:5 (ASV)
I will do. — Ruth’s obedience here is an intelligent obedience. She knew the specific relationship Boaz had to her family, and the duties associated with that relationship (Ruth 2:20; Ruth 3:9). Thus, with obedient trust, implicitly but not blindly, she follows her mother-in-law’s orders; strong in conscious innocence, she risks the reproach that could accompany her duty.
"And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet." — Ruth 3:8 (ASV)
Was afraid. —Was startled. See the use of the word in Genesis 27:33.
Turned. —Literally, bent himself. (Compare Judges 16:29.) He wakes with a start, and in turning sees a woman at his feet.
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