Sometimes we need to do a double take. Think about this for a minute. Ruth followed this woman Naomi, who was all but on the verge of suicide for all we know, to a land in which she would be a stranger. Her love for this person, who was obviously a blessing in Ruth's life, drove her to such a commitment. She gets to this land where nobody knows her, but the people are glad to see Naomi, and all Naomi has for the people is, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? (Ruth 1:20-21) Not a fun person to be around. She's been through the wringer, and hasn't gotten out of it.
But this Ruth, this Moabitess, who is she? We see her working her hind end off to help this miserable woman. She obviously meets some of the young men in the fields, and even seems somewhat hopeful that maybe something can happen (Ruth 2:21 - And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.); but Naomi tells her to stay close by the young women (Ruth 2:23). So Ruth obeys this woman to whom she is committed to serve.
She meets Boaz, the man who owns the land, and he treats her exceptionally well. Naomi tells Ruth that he is a near kinsman. Yet that is all we get out of chapter 2. Naomi tells Ruth that Boaz is a near kinsman, and to stay close to the young maidens.
It appears that Ruth would have been content to have married any one of the young working men. Can you imagine what must have gone through her mind when Naomi told her to propose to what we might call the equivalent to a prince, or king? Boaz was the man in charge. He was the owner of the whole thing. Forget the small fries, Ruth! Go for the King!
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?
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.
3:5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
3:6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
3:7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
It is in Ephesians that we learn that the church is the bride of Christ.
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.
Jesus is our Redeemer. He is also our near kinsman; for He became as one of us, in order that we might become as He is. When Ruth placed herself at the feet of Boaz, it was a proposal for marriage. When we place ourselves at the feet of Christ, is it not a proposal? And how would the King take such a proposal from the likes of us? Ruth was a Moabitess, and a foreigner to Israel. As such, she was forbidden to enter the congregation of the LORD (Deuteronomy 23:3). But we already know the story of Ruth, and Boaz said Yes! How much more will Jesus Christ receive anyone who honestly comes to Him by faith?
John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
