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.

God's Hand

Ruth 2:19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.
2:20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

Not so very long ago, Naomi had other things to say concerning the LORD.

Ruth 1:21 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?

Now she sees the hand of God working on her behalf. There is something to be learned here, and we can take this lesson and apply it to our own lives.

God was at work in Naomi's family from the beginning. He who works all things according to His purpose had a plan, and Naomi was living out part of that plan through her suffering. Many of the things we view negatively in this life are actually good and precious in God's sight. And while Naomi may not have appreciated that through her affliction, she did recognize God's hand working on her behalf through Boaz.

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.
2:22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.
2:23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

Here is where we need to pay attention: Naomi acted upon her recognition of God working in her life. She saw God at work, and she began to join Him in what He was doing. The LORD extended His hand, and Naomi took it.

This passage also seems to reveal something about Ruth, possibly by way of her human weakness. Ruth had no man in her life, for the one she had was now dead. Loneliness can take a toll on any person. Most of us desire companionship, particularly from the opposite sex. Ruth was no different.
Notice what she told Naomi:

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.

Let's go back a few verses and see what Boaz really told her:

Ruth 2:8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:

Ruth has a will of her own, and she has desires. But as I continue to read this story, and watch as Ruth is obedient to her mother-in-law and listens to her rather than her own will, I am reminded of One who said, For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (John 6:38}

Ruth 2:15-20 The Beginning of the Harvest

The Beginning of the Harvest

Ruth 2:15 And she rose up to glean. And Boaz commanded his young men, saying, She shall glean even between the sheaves, and you shall not cause her to be ashamed.
Ruth 2:16 And pulling you shall also pull out for her of the bundles, and shall leave; and she shall glean, and you shall not restrain her.
Ruth 2:17 And she gleaned in the field until the evening, and beat out that which she had gleaned. And it was about an ephah of barley.
Obviously these instructions went far beyond the normal generosity toward the poor. Boaz permits Ruth not only to glean among the sheaves (normally they would follow and pick up what was left behind), but he instructed his men to pull out extra for her. Boaz had his eye on Ruth, and she was getting far more than she expected from his hand.

An ephah of barley: roughly 20+ pounds!

Ruth wasn't a beggar. She worked for what she received, and that not for herself.

Ruth 2:18 And she took it up and went to the city. And her mother-in-law saw that which she had gleaned. And she brought out and gave to her that which she had reserved after she was satisfied.

Ruth's concern was Naomi. Whatever drew Ruth to love this woman so much? What kindness had Naomi demonstrated before her great sorrow? Was she once filled with joy that overflowed into the lives of those around her? Scripture does not reveal much here. Ruth is the focus, and we see her at work loving someone else more than her own life.

And she is blessed.

And she shared her blessing. She shared it with Naomi, who could not possibly pay her back. Or could she?

Remember how Naomi told both of those girls to return to their own land? Remember how she told them that she had no other sons for them? You would think Naomi had nothing to offer. Blessings can come from seemingly empty places.

Ruth 2:19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where have you gleaned to day? and where have you worked? blessed is he that did take knowledge of you. And she told her mother in law with whom she had worked, and said, The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz.

I suppose somewhere in that empty waste that Naomi thought of her life, something began to live again. One word, and bright beams of radiance began to fill her being. Let there be light.

Ruth 2:20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

The Blessing Begins

Ruth 14 Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, “Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back.

Boaz has a place for Ruth at His table. She does not expect it, nor does she have the audacity to attempt to sit at his table. But He has his eye on her. He knows her heart, and He has a place for her. She is invited to sit among the reapers. That would be the equivalent to sitting with Jesus among His angels, if you can read between the lines.

Many attempt to claim the name of Jesus for themselves, and only end up taking his name in vain. It is where your heart is that will determine where you end up. Ruth cared for her mother-in-law. She chose the God of her mother-in-law over the gods of her own kinfolk. And the story of Ruth reached the ears of Boaz (whose name means "Strength").

What is your story? What kind of news does the King have concerning you? Will you be invited to His table? Ruth is the example of one who is pleasing to her Redeemer. Take note of Ruth.

Notice that she even saves some of the food to take to Naomi. Even as she receives her blessing and is satisfied, Naomi is on her mind. Ruth is going to share her blessing with Naomi.

15 And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her.
16 Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.”

Ruth started off gleaning after the reapers. Now Boaz is going to increase her blessing. Ruth has the favor of Boaz. Again, Ruth is the example to follow if you desire the favor of our Redeemer.

Ruth 2, Continued: To Be Different

Ruth 2:11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

What Ruth did was known. And the things she did were good. And the goodness of Ruth reached the ears of one in a position of power and wealth. Boaz heard about Ruth and the good that she bestowed upon Naomi.

There is One who knows you, and all that you do is fully (completely) revealed to Him. From the intent of your heart, He knows even the why's of your works.

Ruth cared for Naomi more than for her own life. That is commendable in the sight of God.

There is a New Testament example of one who was very much like Ruth. His name is Epaphroditus. We are introduced to him in Paul's letter to the Philippians, in the second chapter.

Philippians 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
2:28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
2:30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

We read about a man who placed the work of Christ, and a man named Paul in particular, ahead of his own life. Epaphroditus was sick and nearly died. Yet his regard for the things of God and the needs of one of God's children superceeded his very life and existence. Indeed, it was precisely for the things of God and the family of God that this man existed at all. And the Holy Spirit, through the apostle's writing tells us today to hold such people as these in reputation. We are to regard these folk, who so often go unnoticed.

So Boaz commended Ruth for her kindness, and adds a special blessing: an invocation to the LORD to move on her behalf.

2:12 The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

Have you yet trusted in the LORD?

When Ruth left her home and her family and all that she knew, she walked into a new realm. What did she learn from that family of Bethlehem? We don't know the conversations of the different belief systems and worldviews that must have occurred then as they so often do now. Scripture does not reveal that much to us. But Moab had its religion, and Ruth chose to leave it. She made that known to Naomi back in first chapter:

Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

Ruth left everything she believed. She became one of God's own. Of course that happened sometime before she confessed that to Naomi, because her belief was reflected in her character.

Have you left everything for Christ? Or are you still hanging on to vestiges of an old belief system? Ruth left it all. She is commended, and blessed. Do you want to be commended and blessed before God? Then follow the Biblical example.

Boaz blessed Ruth. He told her to stay in his field and he would provide her needs. He bestowed favor and kindness to this stranger from Moab. So Ruth responds:

2:13 Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.

Isn't it interesting that Ruth finds it strange to gain the favor of Boaz because she is not like the other women? Maybe it did not dawn on her that it is precisely because of this that she gained his favor.

How often do people try to blend in with the group? They want to be accepted by the crowd and go to great lengths to be like the others. Ruth was not like that. She cared for Naomi, not the acceptance of the majority. She was different.

Are you different? Or are you like the others? Do you fit in with the rest of the group, or is that your goal? Dare to be different! Be different for God. Set your affections on His family: your brothers and sisters in Christ.

And consider this one phrase in all that you do:

Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Ruth 2: It has fully been revealed.

Ruth 2:11 And Boaz answered and said to her, It has been fully revealed to me all that you have done with your mother-in-law after the death of your husband. And you left your father and your mother, and the land of your birth, and came to a people which you had not known before.

This verse records the response of Boaz. Ruth had been elevated by this man in the presence of everyone at that house. She had no idea why this man should bestow that degree of kindness in her direction. Why, she asks, have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou should take knowledge of me, a stranger?

And Boaz answered and said unto her, It has been fully revealed to me all that you have done....

Where can we go with this? Can we go to Jesus as He watched the widow give all her substance of two mites to the treasury of God's Temple? She did not go unnoticed; no, the King Himself was watching. It was fully revealed to Him. She did not know Who was watching her that day, yet He commended her and we have that in our Bibles.

And what about you? He has the full report. How will it be for you when you stand before the Throne? Will He tell you how you fed Him when He was hungry? How you clothed Him or provided shelter for Him from the weather? Will He tell you of the times you visited Him and comforted Him? Or will He say something different? Perhaps you have not properly represented your Father. Maybe your actions reveal you to be something other than an ambassador for Christ.

I fear that there are too many Christians by name, who are really about their own names. How will it be for those who go through life looking for their own blessing? Will they name it and claim it at the feet of the King in the presence of His holy angels? Or will they be singing a different tune: If only I had known it was You, Lord! I would have given my right arm! If only had known! as they are carried off to the everlasting fire.

Boaz had the full report on Ruth. It was a good report.

Ruth 2:11 And Boaz answered and said to her, It has been fully revealed to me all that you have done with your mother-in-law after the death of your husband. And you left your father and your mother, and the land of your birth, and came to a people which you had not known before.

The full revelation of what Ruth did for one person reached the ears of him whose name means Strength. What one person has God placed in your path, and you have the power to be a blessing to that one person? He will have the full report of what you did, or did not do. Is Ruth an example or what?

What Ruth did, she did since the death of her husband. Before Ruth could do the works, there was a death, and that death involved her own flesh. For two, Scripture tells us, shall be one flesh.

This goes deeper, for the flesh to which she was joined and became a part of was under the Law. And that flesh died. Then began her works, for which she would be praised and rewarded by him whose name means Strength.

And you left your father and your mother, and the land of your birth, and came to a people which you had not known before.

This looks familiar. Didn't Jesus say something like that one time?

Mar 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
Mar 10:29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
Mar 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

Ruth 2: Why have I found grace in thy sight?

Ruth 2:10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thy sight, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?

She fell down. She bowed before him whose name is Strength (Boaz).

Ruth will be this man's bride. We already have the whole story. We know how it ends. But right now, this man has bestowed unexpected kindness on her behalf. She is not of his people. She is a stranger on his turf. Less than a stranger, she is from Moab: marked by the LORD.

Deuteronomy 23:3 An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation shall none belonging to them enter into the assembly of the LORD for ever:
23:4 because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

It was her love for her mother-in-law Naomi that brought Ruth to Bethlehem. And it was her love that moved her to glean the fields after the reapers to provide food.

Ruth was not about Ruth. Ruth wasn't looking for her blessing. Ruth was about Naomi's well being. She cared for Naomi, even to the point of her own loss. Ruth emptied herself. She is about to be blessed. She isn't looking for it.


Why have I found grace in thy sight?

How many times have I asked that question to Him whose name is Strength? Yet grace is extended to me. And it is extended to you. Like Ruth, we come into His presence as strangers. Less than strangers, we are marked. Worse than the Moabites who desired to curse God's people, we came as rebels and enemies of God Almighty Himself.

Yet grace is extended.

And when we say yes to God, we feel that we are so smart for making the right choice.

Later we may come to realize who actually did the choosing. And then, how can you not ask:

Why have I found grace in thy sight?

And again, as saved; yet a failure by human standards, how much less by God's standards?

Why have I found grace in thy sight?