Naomi’s Counsel

01/20/25 • 2 min

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“Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor... When he lies down... go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” Ruth 3:2-4

Ruth 3:2-4

Naomi tells her daughter-in-law to make herself as attractive as possible, to sneak up on a man in the middle of the night, and to lie down at his feet.

It’s not surprising that Naomi has received harsh criticism for her plan. Is she suggesting that Ruth should seduce Boaz? Did she not realise the danger she was putting Ruth in? Is she guilty of trying to nudge the hand of God?

If you’ve ever watched one of those television shows where they attempt crazy stunts, you might recall hearing the public service announcement: “Don’t try this at home!” That warning should be attached to any study of Ruth. Not many men would have the self-control that Boaz showed.

Still, Naomi’s counsel is a beautiful expression of faith, hope, and love. Boaz had clearly shown interest in Ruth, but he had done nothing to move the relationship forward. His words may hint at the reason why: “May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter” (3:10). This suggests a substantial age difference, and Boaz may have put thoughts of romance out of his mind.

We know how the story should end. But time has passed, and nothing has happened... until Naomi comes to the rescue!

Do you believe that Naomi was nudging God’s hand or expressing faith in His provision?

“Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor... When he lies down... go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” Ruth 3:2-4

Ruth 3:2-4

Naomi tells her daughter-in-law to make herself as attractive as possible, to sneak up on a man in the middle of the night, and to lie down at his feet.

We know how the story should end. But time has passed, and nothing has happened... until Naomi comes to the rescue!

Do you believe that Naomi was nudging God’s hand or expressing faith in His provision?

Previous Episode

A Marvellous Example of Love

My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?

Ruth 3:1

Naomi was an older woman. Ruth had made an extraordinary commitment to care for her, but what would happen when Naomi was gone? Naomi gives us a marvellous example of love.

Love appreciates what others have done and seeks to do good for them. “Should I not seek rest for you that it may be well with you?” (3:1). There is a real change here. Naomi’s thoughts had all been about herself and her loss. But God’s provision through Ruth and Boaz gave her new hope and a new purpose. Her focus now is on what she can do for Ruth.

Love wants others to enjoy gifts we have not received. Naomi wants Ruth to find another husband. God did not give Naomi another husband, but Naomi wants Ruth to have what she was not given. There is not a hint of envy here; no sense of Why should she have an easier life when mine has been so hard? Love rejoices with those who rejoice.

Love moves a person in the direction of rest. Notice that marriage is described here very beautifully as “rest.” “Should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?” (3:1). Marriage is a good gift from God in which one man and one woman are brought together in a lasting union of love and mutual support, in which they find rest. Naomi wants Ruth to find a husband, and she thinks she knows who that husband should be!

Who has shown this kind of love to you? How can you show the same love to them? Think about what Jesus Christ has done for you. What will you now do for Him?

Next Episode

Ruth’s Initiative

"She went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in law had commanded her."

Ruth 3:2, 3:7, 3:9, 2:12, 3:11

After the winnowing was done, one of the farm workers would spend the night on the threshing floor to guard the grain. Naomi knew that Boaz would be guarding the grain that night (3:2). And when Ruth went to the threshing floor, she found Boaz sleeping at the end of his heap of grain.

Ruth pulled the blanket off Boaz’s feet and lay down (3:7). Perhaps it was the cold on his feet that awakened Boaz. “Who are you?” he asked.

“I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer” (3:9). In plain English, Ruth said to Boaz, “Marry me!” There is something very beautiful in the way Ruth framed her proposal. The first time Boaz met Ruth, he said to her, “The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” (2:12). Ruth used the same language.

So, Ruth was saying, “Boaz, when we first met, you prayed that I would find rest under the wings of God. I want you to be the answer to your own prayer and the means by which I experience the blessing of being under the wings of God.”

Ruth was a woman of extraordinary virtue (3:11). Her faith was strong. Her love ran deep. Her hope and joy overflowed. Boaz did not hesitate. He accepted her proposal.

She went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her.

Think of someone for whom you could be the means for extending the blessing of resting under God’s wings.