Ru. 3: Naomi Makes it Happen

Ruth 3:9 "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer."

Naomi is ready to move this whole Ruth-Boaz thing into motion. She convinces Ruth to go lay at Boaz's feet after he is done partying. And I love Ruth's response here. She doesn't question why she needs to go uncover Boaz's feet. On the surface, this may have seemed kind of lewd. But instead, she answers: "I will do whatever you say." She trusts that this must be some sort of Israelite custom unfamiliar to the Moabites.

When Boaz is awakened, he sees Ruth laying there, and is kind of startled. "I am your servant, Ruth," She says, divesting herself of any presumption or self-importance. This kind of consistent attitude must have delighted Boaz when Ruth told him he was her kinsman-redeemer. She didn't chase after status or youth, she followed integrity and character.

Another interesting point is how Boaz mentions the existence of a closer relative than he to Naomi. He must have been thinking about it, or at least had done some research to find out. And he does the honorable thing, by bringing it up, instead of just marrying Ruth. That would have been displeasing to God. Apparently not Boaz's style.