Bible Study with the Cincottis – Ruth, Chapter Three – 05/10/2026
Today’s Bible Study, Authored by Arthur Cincotti.
Listen to our Bible Study Discussion at: Ruth, Chapter Three
Or watch the Video Zoom Session of our Study on YouTube:
Ruth, Chapter Three
“A man’s heart plans his way
But the LORD directs his steps. Prov. 16:9
In last week’s study, I pointed out that the last verse of ch. 2 suggests a passage of time, perhaps as much as fifty days between the barley harvest and the wheat harvest. During that time, the wheels must have been turning in Naomi’s head. She sees an opportunity, but there are obstacles involved. If God blessed every crazy idea I ever had, I’d either be exhausted or dead by now. The essence of our life in Christ is to bring our will into alignment with His. Because He made us in His likeness, we have a vast capacity for creative thought, and He gives us license to express our creativity. But His sovereign plan for the redemption of mankind is not going to be thwarted or deviated from one small bit. How He blends our free will and His sovereignty is a mystery. Today, we are going to see how the cogs mesh together to bring about a glorious outcome that is redemptive, healing, fruit-bearing, and richly satisfying to everyone involved. The ability to distinguish between the voice of God and other voices that are vying for our attention is called discernment.
Naomi has a genuine intimacy with and compassion for her daughter-in-law, Ruth. If only we in the church would have such a genuine concern for one another. She expressed it back in ch. 1 When she said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?” It is reasonable to think that through this journey and in the midst of these recent events, Naomi is still mindful of this pressing need. She’s not indifferent towards Ruth or self-absorbed with her own suffering, but instead is concerned for Ruth’s well-being. From this concern she she cracks open her plan; “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?” vrs. 1.
Ruth seems oblivious to this custom of the kinsman redeemer, which only serves to magnify her innocence. When Naomi gives her detailed instructions to: “wash…and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man [Boaz] until he has finished eating and drinking. Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do.” Ruth responds humbly and obediently, “All that you say to me I will do.” vrs. 3,4
It’s important to state that there is no sexual intent in this action. In the culture of the day, this gesture was understood as total submission. Ruth does what she is instructed, and the evening unfolds just as Naomi anticipated. At midnight, Boaz is startled by someone lying at his feet and asks, “Who are you?” Ruth replies, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.” vrs. 9. A better translation is, “Spread the corner of your garment over your maidservant, for you are a goel.” The rite of the goel (kinsman redeemer) is commanded back in Deut. 25:5-10. Ruth’s claim was just, but there was still risk involved. Boaz could have rejected her for a variety of reasons, which would have brought shame to her and himself, too.
Boaz is gracious and says, “I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.” vrs. 11. Ruth’s character wins out over her ethnicity. We see a glimpse of God’s love and care for all mankind. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal. 3:28
There is clearly more to this story. It is not just about rites and obligations or the stoic preservation of family lineage. Those things are important, but we also see a tender love story nestled in here. Boaz and Ruth had obviously noticed each other. Boaz had shown her kindness and was most likely aware of his rite as a goel, but may have thought that their disparity in age was an obstacle. Not that this was unheard of in this culture, or in ours,
but a man is still a man and a young woman a young woman. There are genuine human emotions in play. Boaz expresses this in vrs. 10, “Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich.”
Boaz continues, “I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.” vrs. 12. We will say more about him when we get to chapter 4. For now, let’s say that he represents opposition. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Pro. 3:5,6. When your discernment tells you that a plan, or a calling, or an action is of the Lord, then expect opposition. Satan is observing and is aware of what’s going on, too, and is determined to thwart the plan of God. He opposed Jesus, and he opposes us when we step out in faith. Everything God does is for increase. Everything Satan does is for destruction, but remember, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” I Jn. 4:4.
Boaz sends Ruth home with a gift of “six ephahs of barley.” The word “ephahs” in the text is italicized, meaning that it’s correctness is not certain, and it may have been inserted later. We all hope it was not six ephahs, which is equal to 26 gallons; way too much for her to carry. Jewish tradition says that the six measures of barley were a sign of the six pious men who would descend from her, David, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and the Messiah.
Ruth returns to her mother-in-law with the gift of, what is more likely, six handfuls of barley, and tells Naomi, “he said to me, ‘Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.” This little aside demonstrates that Boaz is fully aware of the big picture. He understands the plight of both Ruth and Naomi, and also understands the righteousness of the role of the goel for the perpetuation of the name of Elimelech. This was very important in ancient cultures, though not so much today with blended families, dysfunctional families, and every attempt by the culture to redefine the family.
Michael Heiser, in his book The Unseen Realm, says that God wants a family. The principles of man and woman, leave and cleave, be fruitful and multiply, are all expressions of, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We should recognize that the deterioration of marriage and family, in these end times has spiritual roots. God only established two institutions in Scripture; marriage and the church and both are presently under attack.
Naomi says, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.” vrs. 18. There is a sense here that everyone is on board and that Boaz is going to, somehow, make a strong case for his right of redemption. Have you ever had to sit through a long night, knowing that a life-changing decision was going to unfold the next day? This is our plight in space and time. By tomorrow, Ruth would be engaged to be married, either to Boaz, who has shown her great kindness, or to this man she had never met. The psalms of Naomi’s future great, great grandson are rich with encouragement for times like this: “Be still, and know that I am God;” Ps. 46:10 “Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” Ps. 30:5. And, “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for him…” Ps. 37:7
King Solomon prays, “give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil.” I Ki 3:9. One of the Spiritual gifts listed in I Cor. 12:10 is, “discerning of spirits.” I’m not suggesting that Naomi had a prophetic word on this matter, but she does have the logos. When we obey God’s written word, He will bless our lives with fruitfulness, but remember, fruit develops over time with cultivation and pruning. Jesus said, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” Jn. 15:2
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