RUTH

 

To the Threshing Floor and Back (3)

Ruth 3

 

iii.  THE PATIENCE(Ruth 3:16-18)

Lesson Twelve

Victor M Eskew

 

III.     THE PATIENCE (Ruth 3:16-18)

 

A.   Ruth’s Report (Ruth 3:16)

 

And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter?  And she told her all the man had done to her.

 

1.     Naomi’s words to Ruth seem as though she does not know who she is, but she refers to her as “my daughter” also.

a.    The words really indicate that Naomi is eager to find out whether her plan was successful.

b.    Who are you?

1)     Are you still Mahlon’s widow?

2)    Are you a woman betrothed to Boaz?

3)     NOTE:  She may not have known about the “nearer” kinsman.

2.    Ruth told Naomi “all” that the man had done to her.

a.    She told her of Boaz’s fear when he discovered her (Ruth 3:8).

b.    She told her of her proposal to Boaz (Ruth 3:9).

c.    She told her of Boaz’s kind blessing (Ruth 3:10).

d.    She told her that Boaz was eager to do all she requested (Ruth 3:11).

e.    She told her of the nearer kinsman (Ruth 3:12).

f.    She told her of the meeting between the two kinsmen that was to take place that very morning (Ruth. 3:13a).

g.    She told her of Boaz’s willingness to marry her if the kinsman did not (Ruth 3:13b).

h.    She told her of Boaz’s insistence that she stay the night under his protection (Ruth 3:13c).

i.     She told her how he desired for this meeting not to be known publically (Ruth 3:14).

j.     LESSON:  Women like to know the whole scoop when it comes to reporting matters such as these.

 

B.   Boaz’s Regard (Ruth 3:17)

 

And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

 

1.     Boaz continues to manifest his generous spirit.

2.    There are some things this generous gift reveals.

a.    He reveals that Naomi is a part of this equation.

b.    He reveals to Naomi that the intentions stated by Ruth are true.

3.     “Boaz’s gift should probably not be interpreted as a bride price (mohar)” (Stewart, 134).

a.    Such a gift had already been paid by Mahlon to Ruth’s parents.

b.    Boaz was not certain he would have the right to marry Ruth.

 

C.   Ruth’s Resignation (Ruth 3:18).

1.     Ruth waits (Ruth 3:18a)

 

Then she said, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall…

 

a.    Naomi tells Ruth to “sit still.”

b.    Earlier she had encouraged Ruth to take action (Ruth 3:1-5).

c.    “At this point, however, Naomi indicates that Ruth has done everything that she could do.  Now all she can do is ‘wait’…” (Stewart, 135).

d.    She tells her how long she must wait, “until thou know how the matter will fall.”  The matter now lies in the hands of three others:  Boaz, the near kinsman, and God.

e.    LESSON:  Staying still is not an easy thing to do.

1)     We want to think that we can do something to move things along.

2)    It takes great faith to “sit still” while others, or God, are working.

3)     Exodus 14:13

 

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today:  for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever.

 

2.    Boaz works (Ruth 3:18b)

 

…for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

 

a.    Naomi is still speaking and shows her confidence in the trustworthiness of Boaz.  The gift he sent confirmed even more what she knew to be true of him.

b.    She refers to him as “the man” indicating her deep respect for him.  As a man, he was socially their superior.

c.    Two phrases:

1)     Will not be in rest

a)    He will not be quiet.

b)    He will not “sit still.”

c)    He will not rest.

d)    He will not be in inactivity.

2)    Until he have finished the thing this day

a)    Finished:  to end, complete, finish, to accomplish, bring to an end

b)    This day:

-       But a long day it will be

-       “Naomi also knew that men in love waste no time in planning to make the woman of their desire their own.  Thus, it is with the wisdom of an older woman and one who has seen this before, Naomi can confidentially state that this very day it will all be settled; one way or the other, it will be settled” (Peipman, 249).

-       So Ruth and Naomi wait and wait and wait…