Protecting Honor

Ruth 3:7-14

I remember in college reading a book called "Outliers". It was a book about success, and while I did not always agree with the author’s perspective on some things, it was a very interesting book. There was one story about Korean Airlines. It used to be one of the most dangerous airlines to fly. They led the world in plane crashes. The airline was about to go under and decided to hire an American consultant. He observed flights for a little while and made a discovery. The co-pilots and other crew involved in the flying of the jets would never tell the pilot that he needed to change direction or plans. They always agreed with him while making a subtle suggestion. If the pilot stood by his decision, then they whole heartedly agreed with him because of his rank. They were an honor culture, and you did not disrespect a superior. Leave it to an American to go in and break up honor.

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And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.” 10 Then he said, “Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. 12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13 Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you—good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the LORD lives! Lie down until morning.” 14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, “Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 Also he said, “Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.” And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.

Ruth 3:7-14

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Boaz enjoys the abundance of the harvest season then goes to bed. When Ruth can tell that he is asleep, she does what Naomi had commanded her. She pulls the covering from off his feet and lies down at his feet. This is a position of humility and submission. She is symbolizing through her actions what she will be requesting soon with her words.

Sometime during the middle of the night Boaz wakes up, and he can sense someone is there by him. He asks who it is, and Ruth identifies herself. I am sure there is a sense of relief when he learns that it is her. Then he asks her what she wants. She rehearses all that Naomi told her. She tells Boaz that he is their near kinsman and that she would like for him to perform the duty of a kinsman. That means she wants Boaz to marry her and care for her and Naomi.

Boaz is pleased with the request, but like all good love stories, there is a catch. He tells her that there is one kinsman who is closer kin than he, and legally he has to offer the other guy the opportunity to do the duty of the kinsman redeemer. He tells Ruth to lie there for the rest of the night at his feet, and that he will take care of this business first thing in the morning. Then, he will let her know the results.

Just before sunrise, Boaz awakens Ruth and tells her to go home. He does not want her honor tarnished by what could appear to be an inappropriate relationship outside the bonds of marriage. However, he does not want to send her home empty handed. So, he fills her scarf with grain and sends her on her way. He sent her with about a bushel of barley to take home (about 9 gallons).

Ruth humbled herself at the feet of Boaz. That is exactly what we as believers are supposed to do. We humble ourselves at the feet of Jesus. Remember the story of Mary washing the feet of Jesus with her tears and wiping them dry with her hair (John 12:1-8). Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3-4).

Next, Boaz protected the honor of Ruth. He did not try to have any kind of relationship with her while they were alone at night. He also sent her away early in the morning so that no one else could question where she had been. Though they were not married, and possibly might not be married, he still protected her. Ruth is a picture of the church. She is the gentile bride. She has no legal rights, and yet she is brought into the blessings of Israel by the kinsman redeemer. This has not happened yet, but you can probably guess the results. The Apostle Paul said, "For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ" (II Corinthians 11:2). That is the picture here!

One last thing. The American consultant fixed the problem with Korean Airlines by teaching the crew to speak in English while flying. In English they would speak boldly to each other in a way they never would in their native language. Korean Airlines went from being one of the most dangerous airlines, to one of the safest. However, it took them humbling themselves to the process, and becoming something new (at least while flying).

Father, already there is so much for us to be grateful for in this story, and it isn't over yet. The Prophet Isaiah said, "Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure" (Isaiah 46:9-10). You ordained the life of Ruth to be an object lesson of what Christ would do for us, because You know how things would go then and in Your plan for Jesus.