When the world feels unhinged, God doesn’t just make us feel safe—He makes us people who secure others. Ruth 3 shows how quiet providence flips self-absorption into other-centered love.

Opening Question — What does God do in uncertainty, chaos, and fear?

• Judges-era vibes: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” (Judges 21:25)
• Yet Ruth occurs “in the days when the judges ruled” (Ruth 1:1) — providence is quiet, not absent.

Point 1 — In chaos, God awakens self-focused hearts to initiate security for others (Ruth 3:1–5)

“One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, ‘My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for.… Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes.… He will tell you what to do.’ ‘I will do whatever you say,’ Ruth answered.” Ruth 3:1–5, NIV

• “Home/rest” (Hebrew: manoah) echoes Naomi’s earlier prayer (Ruth 1:8–9). She moves from wishing to acting. Providence thaws Naomi: from “empty” to initiating Ruth’s security. Love looks outward and takes initiative. Practical dignity: “Change clothes” signals ending mourning; re-enter life (cf. 2 Samuel 12:20).
  
  

Point 2 — In chaos, God empowers the vulnerable to boldly seek security for others (Ruth 3:6–9)

“When Boaz had finished eating and drinking… Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down.… ‘Who are you?’ ‘I am your servant Ruth,’ she said. ‘Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.’” Ruth 3:7–9, NIV

• Risk with purpose: Night, threshing floor, Moabite widow—Ruth risks reputation to secure Naomi’s line. “Spread your garment” echoes Boaz’s blessing of God’s “wings” (Ruth 2:12). She asks him to embody God’s refuge.
• Redeemer framework: Leviticus 25; Deuteronomy 25 — family duty to protect name and land.
• Ruth prioritizes people over personal gain—bold love for another’s future.

Point 3 — In chaos, God honors integrity that secures the vulnerable (Ruth 3:10–13)

“‘The LORD bless you, my daughter.… All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.… Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer… there is another who is more closely related.… If he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it.’” Ruth 3:10–13, NIV

• Boaz praises hesed and character; refuses exploitation; follows proper order with the nearer kinsman. Integrity protects reputation and future; love keeps covenantal processes, not shortcuts.
• Foreshadow: a redeemer who secures at cost to himself — Christ our Redeemer (Isaiah 54:5).

Point 4 — In chaos, God gives tangible signs of fullness (Ruth 3:14–18)

“‘No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.’… ‘Bring me the shawl…’ He poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her.… ‘He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, “Don’t go back… empty-handed.”’… ‘Wait, my daughter… the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.’ Ruth 3:14–18, NIV

Barley as a sign of fullness points to Jesus, the Bread of Life (John 6:35). At the Table, God hands us a tangible “not empty” in Christ.

Study Notes

Naomi is shocked: “And her mother-in-law said to her, ‘Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.’ So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, ‘The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz’” (Ruth 2:19). Naomi is excited, almost animated, asking several rapid-fire questions without waiting for an answer, and jumping into a blessing of this unknown man. She knows a man has cared for Ruth: “Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” Ruth couldn’t have gleaned that much grain without a male protector. Ruth adds a touch of playful drama by tantalizingly saving Boaz’s name until last: “The man’s name with whom I worked today is . . . Boaz.” Behind this mini-drama is a delightful double-irony: Naomi doesn’t know that Ruth has worked in Boaz’s field, and Ruth doesn’t know who Boaz is!  God literally fills Naomi up. He provides not only a meal, but also a complete plan for the harvest time and protection for Ruth. God responds to Naomi’s lament with love, not a lecture. He tenderly proves her wrong with an overwhelming generosity. God is doing hesed with Naomi, out-loving her grief… Boaz blessed Ruth when he first met her, observing that she had sought shelter under the wings of God; now Ruth asks Boaz to be those wings. In effect, she is asking him to answer his own prayer of blessing! Through Boaz, God is covering Ruth under his wings. God works through Naomi’s risky plan, Ruth’s audacious obedience, and Boaz’s love. One scholar summarizes it this way: “The reversal of the death . . . that [has] afflicted Naomi’s life is effected by [God] through their ordinary hopes, intentions, and actions. . . . God often effects his purposes in the world through the ordinary motivations and events of his people—ordinary people like . . . you and me.” There is not a hint of passivity in the three main characters. God’s sovereignty doesn’t freeze them; it gives them the courage to be daring. – Paul Miller

Act 3 of the book of Ruth displays three individuals acting on behalf of others, even when there is no obligation to do so. Naomi has no obligation or duty to find Ruth a husband. The easy route for her is to enjoy her final years knowing that Boaz will let Ruth glean enough for them to live. There is a real risk in sending Ruth on such a mission. She might jeopardize the whole situation. Boaz might become irritated or offended by Ruth’s symbolic actions and cut the two widows off. True, because he is a man of integrity, the risk is lessened, but any small mistake or misrepresentation could destroy even the relatively good, though still impoverished, situation that the two women enjoy now by ruining the relationship to Boaz. Ruth is also not obligated to follow Naomi’s plan. She runs a number of risks in this plan. Again, one misrepresentation, one misplaced word could undo all the good that has been developed over the last two months. Finally, Boaz is not obligated to respond the way he does. There are risks for him too. But in all three individuals we see models of decisive action in doing what is right. Each one acts honorably and with integrity, even in (or especially in) difficult or tempting contexts. For Ruth and Boaz, integrity is on the line on the threshing floor. But because their motives are pure, they respond in accordance with God’s standards. All of this speaks volumes in a world where integrity seems to be a forgotten character quality. Whether one is looking at the political scene or at the world of business, there seems to be a great shortage of integrity. People seem to be more concerned with whether they are liable than whether they are doing the right thing. They are concerned more with not suffering personal loss than with living by godly, biblical principles. – K. Lawson Younger Jr.

Pastor Sam Sutter //Sam@bbcconline.org

Who Should Come to the Lord’s Table?

Those who are truly sorrowful for their sins, and yet trust that these are forgiven them for the sake of Christ;  and that their remaining infirmities are covered by his passion and death;  and who also earnestly desire to have their faith more and more strengthened, and their lives more holy; but hypocrites, and such as turn not to God with sincere hearts, eat and drink judgment to themselves. 1 Cor. 10:19-22; 11:26-32, Ps. 50:14-16; Isa. 1:11-17

– Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 81

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