Ruth 3 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Ruth 3 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• The events recorded in the book of Ruth happened during the period of the Judges (1:1). Most scholars place the period of the Judges between 1450 B.C. and 1000 B.C.

• Ruth was the great-grandmother of King David. David’s birth is dated to approximately 1040 B.C, which would place Ruth’s story around 1100 B.C.

• Ruth 2 mentions the barley and wheat harvest in Israel. Barley and wheat were planted in the autumn and ripened in the spring. Barley ripened faster and was ready for harvest around April. Wheat was typically harvested in May.

CHARACTERS:

• Naomi – An Israelite widow. Ruth was her daughter-in-law.

• Ruth – Moabite women who became a widow after the death of her husband, Naomi’s son.  

• Boaz – A relative of Naomi. He is described as a “worthy man.”

WHERE:

• In the first chapter, Naomi and Ruth moved to Bethlehem after living in Moab.

• Ruth and Boaz met in a field near Bethlehem (2:4).

OUTLINE:

• ***In the laws God gave to Moses and the Israelites, there were instructions given to Israelite men about caring for widows, specifically the widows of their relatives. In this chapter, Boaz is referred to as a “redeemer,” which was a term used to refer to a man who had the responsibility to care for a widowed family member.

• RUTH MEETS BOAZ AT THE THRESHING FLOOR DURING THE NIGHT (3:1-18):

  • Naomi wanted to ensure Ruth’s future, and she knew the law of God made provisions for widowed women.

  • She advised Ruth to appeal to Boaz for marriage.

  • She told Ruth to anoint herself (probably with good smelling oil), put on her cloak, and go to the threshing floor where Boaz would be spending the night.

  • Ruth did as her mother-in-law instructed. She went secretly to the threshing floor, then after Boaz had fallen asleep, she “uncovered his feet,” and laid down close to him.

  • At midnight, Boaz awoke and was startled to see her laying near his feet.

  • Ruth said to him, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer” (3:9).

  • Boaz was quick to accept the responsibility God laid on him, but there was one thing standing in his way. Boaz knew of another man who was a closer relative to Ruth’s who was before him in the line of succession as a redeemer.  

  • Boaz told Ruth he would speak to the redeemer in the morning and sort out the situation.

  • Before Ruth left the threshing floor, Boaz gave her 6 measures of barley to take home to Naomi.

  • Ruth went back to her house and told Naomi all that had happened.

APPLICATION:

• Boaz was an honorable man and a role model for other men.

• He acknowledged his God-given responsibilities without hesitation or excuse.

• He did not delay in fulfilling his promises (as we’ll find out in Ruth 4).

• He accepted his role as a provider for those under his care.