Ruth

Ruth 3: The LORD gives Ruth a kinsman

Begin in prayer

Before we hear how the LORD gives Ruth a near kinsman who promises to redeem her, let us come to Him together. Ask Him to open our eyes to the redemption He gives, and to show us Jesus, the Redeemer of His people.

For Yahweh has ransomed Jacob, and redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.

Jeremiah 31:11

Father in heaven, please open our eyes to understand Ruth's need and Boaz's promise. Help us see Your care, and show us Jesus, the Redeemer who paid for His people with His own blood. Make us more like Him, and please bless our family with humble and trusting hearts as we read. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Naomi says she will seek rest for Ruth, and Boaz, a kinsman, will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor that night. Naomi tells Ruth to wash, dress, and wait until Boaz has finished eating and drinking, and Ruth agrees to do all that Naomi says. Ruth goes to Boaz in the night and asks him to spread his garment over her, because he is a near kinsman. This is a plea that he take her under his care as her husband. Boaz calls her a worthy woman, praises her kindness, and says that a kinsman nearer than he has the first right to act. He promises that if that man will not do the duty of a kinsman, he will do it himself, as the LORD lives. Boaz sends Ruth home early in the morning with six measures of barley, and Naomi tells her to wait until the matter is settled today.

As you read Ruth 3, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD gives Ruth a near kinsman who promises to redeem her.

Naomi wants rest for Ruth, a safe home in a husband's house, as in Ruth 1 verse 9 (verse 1). Boaz is a close relative, so Naomi sends Ruth to him at the threshing floor, where the barley is winnowed (verses 2 to 4). At midnight Boaz wakes and finds Ruth at his feet, and she asks him to spread his garment over her (verses 8 and 9). That is a plea for him to take her under his care, as her husband and her redeemer. Boaz honors her, calls her a worthy woman, and says a nearer kinsman has the first right (verses 11 and 12). The law let a near kinsman buy back what a poor relative had sold (Leviticus 25 verse 25). Boaz swears by the living LORD to act if the nearer man will not, then sends her home before light (verses 13 and 14). In chapter 2 Ruth took refuge under the LORD's wings, and now the LORD gives her shelter through a kinsman. Jesus shared the flesh and blood of His people, so that through death He could deliver them (Hebrews 2 verses 14 and 15).

How does Ruth 3 show us that the LORD gives Ruth a near kinsman who promises to redeem her?

Ruth asks the near kinsman to spread his garment over her.

Naomi sends Ruth to Boaz because he is a close relative (verses 2 to 4). Ruth lies at his feet and says, “spread the corner of your garment over your servant” (verses 8 and 9). She gives her reason, that he is a near kinsman (verse 9). She is asking him to take her under his care.

Boaz honors Ruth and keeps her good name.

Boaz does not scold her. He says the LORD has blessed her, because she did not run after young men, whether poor or rich (verse 10). He tells her not to be afraid and calls her a worthy woman, as all the city knows (verse 11). Boaz guards her good name by sending her home before it is light (verse 14).

Boaz promises to redeem her, as the LORD lives.

The kinsman's duty is to buy back what a poor relative lost and to keep the family name alive. A kinsman nearer than Boaz has the first right (verse 12). If that man will not do the duty, Boaz will, and he swears it by the living LORD (verse 13). Ruth now waits on a promise made for her. Jesus is the Kinsman who gave His life to redeem His people.

Boaz sends Ruth home with barley, and Naomi tells her to wait.

Boaz fills Ruth's mantle with six measures of barley, saying, “Don’t go empty to your mother-in-law” (verses 15 and 17). In chapter 1 Naomi came home empty, and now Ruth does not go back empty. Naomi tells her to wait, because the man will not rest until he has settled the matter today (verse 18).

Memorise

Now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do to you all that you say.

Ruth 3:11

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what keeps me from trusting Jesus with my needs?

Ruth asks Boaz to spread his garment over her, because he is a near kinsman. Boaz answers that he will do the duty of a kinsman “for you, as Yahweh lives.” Ruth's hope rests on a promise made in the name of the living LORD.

Sin leaves a debt that we can never pay ourselves. Jesus, the Son of God, shared the flesh and blood of His people, and He paid their debt with His own life on the cross. He rose from the grave, and the debt is paid in full. It is enough to save all who trust Him.

Jesus is the Redeemer who keeps His word, and He calls you to come to Him. So come to Jesus, and turn from your sin and put your trust in Him. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven, and can rest in the promise of the living LORD.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus is the Redeemer who keeps every promise He makes. If a child asks about the night scene, say that Ruth asked Boaz to take her under his care as her husband. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Give thanks for the promise Boaz made to Ruth, and bring the heart question to God. Every child can pray, so allow each one time to pray if they wish.

For your Maker is your husband; Yahweh of Armies is his name. The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer.

Isaiah 54:5

Father, thank You for caring for Ruth through a kinsman who keeps his word. Please lead each one here to turn from sin and trust Jesus, the Redeemer who paid for His people. When we face needs this week, help us bring them to You and trust Your timing. Amen.