Seeking Rest

Ruth 3:1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

Naomi knows the Law. She knows that Boaz is a near kinsman, and a man of great honor and wealth. And she recognized the hand of God in bringing him into their lives at this time. Maybe she does not see that God drew them to Boaz. They are the ones who moved, not Boaz.

But knowing the Law, Naomi also knows the responsibility of family members in Israel.

Deuteronomy 25:5 If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.
25:6 And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

Naomi wants Boaz to marry Ruth, and begins to tell her how to get things started in that direction.

Ruth 3:2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
3:3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
3:4 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.

It is interesting what Naomi tells Ruth to do. First she explains again just who Boaz is in terms of family relations. She already made that known back in 2:20. She then instructs Ruth to get cleaned up, dressed up, and smelling good, and go to the place where Boaz is working: but then strategically wait for the best opportunity to get his undivided attention.

What she tells Ruth to do then is perplexing. After Boaz lays down to sleep, she is to approach him and uncover his feet. Then she is to lay down and wait for him to instruct her as to what she should do. What is this thing with the Bible and feet?

Luke 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Luke 8:41 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:

Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

John 11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

John 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
13:5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

It obviously has something to do with submission. Ruth was to place herself in a position that graphically expressed her submission to Boaz. Exposing his feet and then lying down was an unmistakable picture and Boaz would not miss the meaning. Ruth, at the direction of Naomi, is going to propose to Boaz.

Naomi hopes to gain a husband for Ruth, and a good one at that; maybe what we would consider too old, but a noble man, an honorable man, a wealthy man. Ruth would be in good hands with Boaz. And Naomi calls this, seeking rest.

We who know the rest of the story also know what happens. Ruth enters into that rest. It is interesting that marriage is considered rest.

Ephesians 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.


Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

True rest: It begins at the feet of Jesus Christ.