In the last chapter of Proverbs, the author asks whether anyone can find "a worthy woman" ( Prov 31:10 ). The Hebrew euphemism "to uncover the feet" is a sexual expression; but in this context, and in light of the honorable character of Boaz and Ruth, it is clear that she is simply making herself available for marriage. Ruth did not tell Naomi what Boazsaid, she told her all that the man had done to her.. . Because he has violated her, he can never have the right to divorce her. And also, you recognize that Naomi wasnt one of these old women who grudge younger women the comforts and advantages which they themselves are now too old to enjoy or to relish. How was Boaz and Ruth's marriage not a violation of God's law? Learn how your comment data is processed. Thats your first out, Dad. Defer nothing until tomorrow that may be done today, especially if it affects the encouragement of somebody else. And what is true of individuals is certainly true of a church. With that in mind, many wonder if Ruth 3:4, 7, 8, 14 contains a similar Hebrew idiom when Ruth is described as uncovering Boazs feet. Although, his surprise could be explained by the fact that he appears to not recognize her and had to call out her to identify herself. (Petronius, Satyricon 70). Learn how your donations make a difference. This article, written August 2010, deals primarily with the question, "Did the marriage of the Moabite Ruth and the Israelite Boaz violate the covenant laws against intermarriage with foreigners?" By showing restraint and respect for her and her nearest of kin Boaz really comes out of the story looking like a man of integrity. Either the phrase uncover the feet is referring to some kind of sexual act or its a euphemism for sex. The narrator states that after eating and drinking, Boazs heart was merry (inebriated? This is why Naomi and Ruth were such buds, you know. And here I have some plans and ideas for you. The fact that she was sneaking in and that she was eventually snuck out (3:14), seems to indicate that what she was doing was not an approved behavior. Because theres no saying what people are going to say about a young girl who goes down into a barn of men in the middle of the night. Youve got to abstain from all appearance of evil.. Then again, his ability to not recognize Ruth could be a consequence of his drunken state or how she positioned herself at his feet. They are penniless. (Ruth 3:14). Who are you? [Im] your servant Ruth, she said. Wow, okay! She going up the road burdened by all of his benefits; and we going up the road are made aware of the wonderful provision that God has made for us. Theyre safe, theyre under control; there is not very much about them that smacks of the supernatural. In addition to the sexual nature of the threshing floor, Ruth added her own sexual appeal. Did you ever think of this? Boaz followed the procedures of the law of Moses by first inviting a nearer kinsman to fulfill his duty to marry Ruth. Ultimately, Ruth is asking Boaz to be her husband, redeemer, and to give her a child. (Middle Assyrian Law Codes A55-A56)[3]James B. Pritchard (ed. For we pray it in the name of Jesus. Based on the facts of the story thus far, it is quite possible that Ruth was expecting a sexual encounter with Boaz and his hand in marriage. You better come home, honey. Create a free account to manage your subscriptions, track your listening progress, and build a listening library of your favorite messages. permission. If the father does not approve he is to be given the third in silver for her virginity, and give her to whomever he wants. Right? What a great book it is, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. And were waiting till next week, till we get back to the story. The idiom is used to imply that he knew her sexually but it would be a bit of a faux pas to just out right say they had sex. Dr. Drazin is the author of more than 50 books on the Bible, philosophy, and other subjects. But it could also be taken literally and we just dont understand the custom. And now, having been successful in their endeavors and rejoicing in their relaxations, theyre all beginning to lie down and find their bed for the night, throwing themselves down on the barn floor. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman (Ruth 3:1011). So the story is not like the front of a Hollywood set that exists so that some story can be told on the basis of a fabrication. And the fact that you think that she needs to marry this character because of the way hes put together, because hes always doing stuff like this and everything, and pressing like thisshe doesnt find that remotely attractive. Now, when you come to verse 6 and 7, you realize that as a result of Naomis initiative and Ruths obedience, the latternamely, Ruthhas placed herself in a situation of extreme vulnerability. Based on the text of Ruth there are a number of reasons to believe that Ruth was practicing an ancient custom and literally uncovered Boazs feet as described. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain" ( Ruth 3:6-7a ). Filled with men. The only other time that the three instructions are used in Scripture is in Ezekiel 16:910, in regard to preparation for marriage. The first option isn't popular but deserves some thought. There is nothing very much about them that says, You know, I really trusted God; I went out on the limb. Because all of the time, theyre spending their lives in the waiting room. [2] Other examples where feet seem to be a euphemism for genitals are: II Samuel11:8, where King Davidinstructs Uriahto go home and have sex with his wife: Go down to your house and wash your feet. In Isaiah 7:20, the prophet predicts that God will have Assyria shave the Israelites beards and the head and hair of the feet. Deuteronomy 28:57 speaks of an afterbirth that came out from between her feet.. . Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. There appears to be quite a history in the Greco-Roman world with foot massaging and sometimes it appeared to be sensual. 25:510). Proponents of the idea that Ruth performed a sexual act point to a similar phrase that shows up in the writings of the 1t century author, Gaius Petronius. [7] Thank you for all of the practical implications of our study this evening, but thank you most for the foreshadowing that we have of Christ in this lovely man Boaz. For many, there are 4 possible ways to understand the events that took place. While David was attempting to cover up the fact that he impregnated Uriahs wife, he instructed Uriah to return to his home and wash his feet. ),Ancient Near Eastern texts: Relating to the Old Testament. She then proceeds to not just ask Boaz to cover her in marriage but essentially acts out her request while laying under the garment with a presumably naked Boaz underneath. Even so, Boazs praise of her kindness is not an approval of Ruths methods. However, after the barley harvest ends, after around three months, Boaz made Ruth no offer of marriage. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. She knew that Boaz could sleep with her and since he was a righteous man he would redeem her according to the law. And thats why, in verse 10, he speaks of her kindness: Bless you, my daughter, he replied. She was going for the future. Because this man needs to have a fair shot at the game, as it were. Im not going to intrude on the rights of the other man, unless the other man voluntarily surrenders his rights. What a wonderful fellow Boaz is, isnt he? Get it resolved. Then instead of sitting in a pool of pity, agonizing over your own loss, recognize that this friend of your mothers has also had a great loss, and you may now show your esteem and affection for your mother by caring most directly for the one who is also aware of loss. I said, this is friendship, isnt it? Was he afraid people might take her for a lady of the night? Father, thank you that all of the circumstances of our lives, all of the apparent inconsequential meetings, are really ordained by your mighty providence. Let no young womanor man, for that matterdeal in secrecy and concealment. She went home, and she told her everything that Boaz had done for her, and she added, And he gave me these six measures of barley, saying, Your empty days are over. And Naomi said, Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. Some have right pointed out that Ruth was not Jewish which is important to recall since the point of the book is that a Moabite woman played an important role in the lineage of King David. For Jesus sake. Yes, many of them. if [hes] not willing, [then I] as surely as the Lord lives will do it.. When he lies down, note where he is; then go, uncover his feet, and he will tell you what to do. So shes done everything, uncovered his feet, he wakes up, he says, Who are you? She says, I am Ruth, and then, before waiting for him to tell her what to do, she starts asking him to do something for her. Because the reason Ruth is here is because of Naomis concern for Ruth. And she doesnt actually convey to us, as we read of her life, the kind of preoccupation that can be the part and parcel of someone who has been bereaved in a particular way as she has. Look at verse 11: Dont be afraid. Chapter 3 Jun 11 Posted by agapegeek (Ver 1.1) We have already seen in chapter 2 where Ruth has found favor in the eyes of Boaz her potential kinsmen redeemer and she has even eaten with him in resemblance to a covenant type meal where they have shared bread. You might hold off on bad news, but you dont want to hold off on good news. We can see that in the love story of Ruth and Boaz that started in Naomi's sadness and ended with joy and happiness for the world. The patriarch Judah did not allow Tamar to fulfill the levirate marriage with his third son, because his first two sons had died after being married to her. Hey, take this, and take this, and take this, and take this! And shes going, Hey, thanks very much, you know. But I understand that what youre doing is showing kindness.. Would we? May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. 1994 - 2023 Truth For Life. THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH [Text, Translation, & Tablets], Archaic and Outdated Words in The King James Bible (KJV). But as a little inkling to next time, the way this man does settle issues is the way that issues should be settled. Remember weve said that the whole Bible is a book about Jesus? . Thats the kind of flavor here. You see, provided your life is in a right relationship with God, provided you honestly want to go his way and not your own way, then the Bible gives us all kinds of permission to launch out in faith, to take risks for his sakeeven to get it wrong and to fail and to have to come back. But what cant be guaranteed? And there is a lesson in this that I failed to point out and I dont want us to missnamely, that Naomi could at this juncture in her life have become a kind of miserable character. Hes watched this woman. Get the matter dealt with. And if yes, then it asks the final question: Am I seeking to exhibit in my dealings with others such a spirit of generous love that I am reflecting the character of he who has wooed me and won me? Hes got all his clothes on, presumably. There is no need to assume she performed a sexual act or that the meaning of her behavior has been lost to history. Listen Watch October 21, 2001 Ruth Proposes to Boaz From Series: God of the Ordinary by Alistair Begg Ruth 3:7-18 (ID: 2256) In Ruth 3, a single woman travels at night to a barn full of men, uncovers the feet of one man, then proposes marriage. Moreover, though he could do so, Boaz does not embarrass this young widow who is acting out of covenant love for her mother-in-law (vv. They are penniless. She does say that there is a bitterness that is attached to her, but it is beginning to dissipate. To secure food Ruth gleans barley stalks in the field of Boaz, a kinsman of Naomi. And then immediately she goes off-line. (Exodus 22:16). Boaz did not just pray for Ruth to be covered, he moved to shelter her in the Lords name when the opportunity presented itself. But Ruth is a wonderful example of somebody who, as soon as she got the rudiments of it together, she said, Fine, Im going for it. Boaz has prayed for Ruth to be rewarded for finding shelter under the Lords wings (Ruth 2:12), and now she asks him to be the Almightys wings of protection over her (3:9). Why Is Acts 8:37 Missing From Modern Bibles? And she was vulnerable also in relationship to her motives. The location of such threshing floors is reflected in the book of Jeremiah. The difficulty here is that it was rather common for a wealthy person in ancient Rome to have a slave, concubine, or hired worker anoint and massage their feet. We thank you for the ongoing relationship that we have with so many in Christ who are scattered far from us here this evening. [3] Boazis compared to Joseph in the Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin19b, and in the Targum to verse 8. Others may have used it as an opportunity for reproach, to condemn the woman harshly, to wake everybody in the barn up and say, Hey, hey! Ancient Hebrew is one of those languages which was prone to being filled with idioms. Because Im gonna guarantee the man will not rest until the matter is settled today. Paraphrased: Hes hot to trot! 1 Chronicles 21 an altar was built on a large privately owned threshing floor. And Naomi doesnt want her uncovering the wrong feet, because that could lead to all kinds of disasters that are not planned, at least in the mind of Naomi. Examining the second chapter of Ruth. Rabbinic sources agree that there was no premarital sex between Ruth and Boaz. You want a rule of thumb? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The two widows, Naomiof Judea and Ruth the Moabite, return from Moabto Judea some 10 years after Naomi left Bethlehemin Judea. Gentle persuasions and serious advice may frequently be put to good use. But you see how wonderful this story is. Another supposed example comes from. Boaz did not just pray for Ruth to be covered Many interpreters read Ruth as a happy-ending romance featuring Ruth, the beautiful young Moabite widow who captivated the heart of the older wealthy landowner Boaz. And shes either got it on her back, or shes got it on her front, and off she goes up the road, and Naomis watching for her. When that kinsman declined, Boaz married Ruth. A related law said relatives must buy back (redeem) the property of a kinsman who lost his land (Lev. All my fellow townsmen know, what? Something that you are contemplating doing, a place that you are planning to go, a venture that youre undertaking, someone to whom youre going to speakwhatever it may bethat is all about faith. You can get a bad example from a good person. There is a place for concealment. But I tell you, it will stand you in good stead. What are you talking about?. [1]Irit Ziffer, The Threshing Floor in Reality and Metaphor, pp. Ruth's Proposal. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and followed through with . A55 If a man has taken and raped another mans virgin daughter, dishonoring her (she was living in her fathers house, was not engaged, and her hymen had not been penetratedsince she had not been married), and no one had a claim on the fathers house, the father is to take the rapists wife and allow her to be raped, and keep her, not returning her to her husband. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. All rights reserved. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. In my opinion, the plan which Naomi proposed to Ruth in our text was a shortcut, but by the grace of God, the two principle characters - Ruth and Boaz - remained sterling examples of godly conduct. We will explore these options below. Biblical Archaeology: Exploring The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q246 Apocryphon of D Ruth did exactly as described but the meaning is lost to history, Ruth made some form of sexual contact with Boaz, Ruth did something to show she was available but nothing more. The Hebrew people were traditional and modest which means their language adopted a number of ways to discuss the dirty topics without outright saying it. He may have wondered about her method of approach, but he certainly wasnt wondering about her motives or about her purity. Naomi suggests to Ruth that they need to take matters into their own hands. Besides reminding readers of the Joseph story, it is likely that the narrator wants readers to recall the story of Tamar and Judah. This was risky because it was then unheard of for women to propose marriage. If that is true of Boaz, that means he was either naked or in his undergarments while sleeping under his outer garment. I want you to have a future. And because of what Ruth understandsremember, as an alien and a strangerabout the law of God, she, a Moabitess, converted to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob instead of saying, Thanks for that, and then going out and finding any husband she can, she recognizes that if this thing is to go forward in the way that would bring honor and glory to Naomi and to the memory of Elimelech, then she needs to marry a kinsman-redeemer. Saadiah Gaonunderstands that Naomiwas saying lie by his feet.. Did you ever think of that? You need to start to dream dreams. And I want to say to some of you: You need to start to think about this.
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