Ruth message 4
Ruth 2: 17 So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an [k]ephah of barley. 18 She took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also took it out and gave [l]Naomi what she had left after [m]she was satisfied. 19 Her mother-in-law then said to her, “Where did you glean today and where did you [n]work? May he who took notice of you be blessed.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had [o]worked and said, “The name of the man with whom I worked today is Boaz.” 20 Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed of Yahweh who has not forsaken his lovingkindness to the living and to the dead.” Then Naomi said to her, “The man is [p]our relative; he is one of our kinsman redeemers.” 21 Then Ruth the Moabitess said, “[q]Furthermore, he said to me, ‘You should [r]stay close to my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’” 22 Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, so that others do not oppress you in another field.” 23 So she [s]stayed close by the young women of Boaz in order to glean until the end of the barley harvest and the wheat harvest. And she lived with her mother-in-law.
If you have not been with us, we are in chapter 3 of the book of Ruth. And we've been considering this Old Testament story around a New Testament theme; The theme of redemption. Biblical redemption is God’s gracious act of delivering people from sin, guilt, and bondage by paying the price required for their release. And the story of Ruth is the story of a man named Boaz who paid the price of redemption for both Ruth and Naomi.
The story of Ruth is a story of redemption. Chapter 1 tells of the Need for Redemption; In our story Elimelech, Naomi and their two sons leave Israel because of a famine. They live in the land of Moab for 10 years. But while living in Moab, Elimelech dies, her two sons marry, but they also die before having children. So, Naomi is left with two daughters in law. Naomi determines to return to Bethlehem Ephrathah in Israel to her home. Ruth comes with her but they return to Israel impoverished. They are in need of redemption.
Chapter 2 describes the Provision of Redemption. Ruth, Naomi's faithful daughter in law immediately goes to work to ensure that they are provided for. She goes out to glean in the fields of Boaz. Boaz is a near kinsman. She follows the harvesters of grain to pick up any grain left behind for the poor. Well, Boaz takes notice of her and extends grace to her by providing for her and her mother-in-law. Then Ruth continues in his fields through both the barley and wheat harvest. They have had redemption provided.
Today we come to chapter 3 — The Request for Redemption, and next week we will look at chapter 4 — The Accomplishment of Redemption.
And this is a wonderful story. It has been acknowledged by secular and sacred scholars alike as beautiful story telling. But, if all we did with this story was to talk about it at its very basic level, the story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz, and redemption out of poverty, then we would miss the greater and greatest message of redemption that is here. You see, every Old Testament story has to be told on three different levels. The most basic level is the simple narrative and its simple moral lesson that is in front of you. You could summarize that basic moral lesson with a modern personal ad. "Single, impoverished, widowed, Moabite woman seeks wealthy man. Must love my mother-in-law."
But every Old Testament story also functions on a second level. It is the story of the nation of Israel and their status as God's people. On this level the Book of Ruth is a story that comes out of the time of the judges in the nation of Israel. And this book is a link in the chain between that time and the time when Israel becomes a kingdom. God gives them a king. You may be interested to know that we don't know who wrote down this story, the story of Ruth, but many postulate that it was Samuel, the last judge, and that he did so as a background story for Boaz and Ruth's great grandson, the greatest king of Israel, David.
But every Old Testament story must also be told on a third level; As part of the greater story of Jesus Christ. Ruth’s story points us forward to the greater redemption found in Jesus Christ. So, all the little details in the book take on greater meaning than simply a cultural tale from a specific time and place. Ruth was a Moabitess—an outsider from a people marked by hostility toward Israel and excluded under the Mosaic law (Deut. 23:3). Yet she turned from Moab and its gods, confessed faith in the God of Israel—“Your people shall be my people, and your God my God”—and sought refuge under the wings of the Lord (Ruth 1:16; 2:12).
Like Ruth, those who come to faith in Christ are not naturally part of God’s covenant family; we are estranged by sin, under its curse, and unable to restore ourselves. Ruth is a picture of us before Christ.
Boaz, a righteous and worthy man, became Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer. He had the standing, resources, and willingness to pay the cost, cover Ruth, restore Naomi’s family, and give Ruth a new name, home, and inheritance. In an infinitely greater way, Jesus Christ is the righteous Redeemer. He became our near Kinsman by taking human flesh, fulfilled the law we had broken, bore its curse in our place, and welcomes all who turn from sin and trust in Him.
Well, thinking about the request for redemption gives us a window into where we are now in this story. Ruth and Naomi cannot restore their family’s lost inheritance or secure their future by themselves; they need a redeemer with the right, the resources, and the willingness to act.
So, today, we again consider how God providentially brought two needy people to a righteous redeemer, called them to humble faith, holy integrity, and patient trust.
prayer
The request for redemption
We are going to consider our story today under the greater theme of Repentance. On our part, redemption begins with our coming to the Lord in repentance. I couldn't help but think about repentance and the components of repentance when I read this chapter. Ruth chapter 3 is a perfect picture of how someone comes to repentance and faith in the Lord. In this encounter between Boaz and Ruth we find all the elements of true repentance. And that is how we are going to tell the story this morning. The elements of true repentance are; desire, obedience, love, and trust. All four must be present for repentance to be true saving repentance. Let's look at the first of those; desire.
Desire
As we read, remember that Naomi and Ruth are still in poverty, but Ruth has been gleaning in the fields of their close relative Boaz for a couple of months.
Chapter 3:1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek a state of rest for you, that it may be well with you? 2 And now, is not Boaz our [a]kinsman, with whose young women you were? Behold, he is winnowing barley at the threshing floor tonight. 3 So you shall wash yourself and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and you shall go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 Let it be that when he lies down, you shall know the place where he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what you shall do.” 5 She said to her, “All that you say I will do.”
Now, to start, let me say this. We are venturing into areas and customs to which we are unfamiliar. This story sounds strange, almost scandalous. What Naomi tells Ruth to do is strange. There are things that she does that make us scratch our heads. So, let me tell you, as we approach this, that there are things and practices here that we cannot fully explain; Because they were done in a place and culture lost to history. Those hearing this story back then would fully understand. But we don't. And, to be entirely truthful, some of the meaning behind all of this is lost to us. But we will read and try to eek out the meaning here. So, listen first to what Naomi says to Ruth.
“My daughter, shall I not seek a state of rest for you, that it may be well with you?
What she is talking about is rest in marriage and family. Remember when Naomi, coming back to Israel, originally encouraged Ruth and Orpa to return to Moab. She told them then, "I have no more sons. I can't provide you with husbands. I can't provide rest. You should return to Moab and find rest." When Naomi says that she is going to seek rest for Ruth, she means marriage and family.
She is saying, "It cannot be that your life will be defined by gleaning grain day after day, living hand to mouth, impoverished in Israel. It cannot be that you will confine yourself to caring for me until death, and then live alone until your own death and be buried next to me." "So, shouldn't I seek rest for you?" So, Naomi goes on...
“My daughter, shall I not seek a state of rest for you, that it may be well with you? 2 And now, is not Boaz our [a]kinsman, with whose young women you were?
She says, "Ruth, you've been gleaning in the fields of Boaz, you remember that I told you that he is a close relative. You've been working in his fields for weeks, drinking his water, eating with his harvesters, being in his presence. He insisted that you stay with them. He has been protecting you and watching out for you and me. He has made sure that we have food on our table. He has extended great grace to you as a foreigner and remember that I told you that he is our kinsman. Did I tell you that? He is our kinsman Redeemer."
Here we would have to assume that Naomi has explained the idea of the kinsman Redeemer. The Goel. I told you last week that a kinsman Redeemer was a position created by the law of God to save people who needed saving. If a person came into debt and had to sell the land that God had given them in their allotted tribe a near relative, a kinsman redeemer, was commanded by God to buy back that land for them. If they had to sell themselves into servitude, the kinsman Redeemer was to buy back their freedom. And if a brother died before having children his next of kin was to marry his widow and raise up the first child as the heir to the brother. This was called a levirate marriage.
And Naomi had lost her husband and her two sons and was left without an heir. Ruth had lost her husband and was left without an heir. And they both were in poverty. They were in need of a kinsman redeemer. And Naomi is pointing out to Ruth that Boaz is a perfect candidate for that role.
Naomi goes on.
2 And now, is not Boaz our [a]kinsman, with whose young women you were? Behold, he is winnowing barley at the threshing floor tonight.
"Ruth, the harvest is over, and there's going to be a barn dance tonight. Why don't you get yourself all purdied up and go see Boaz?"
So, let's look at what she says. Remember that they had finished the barley harvest and now comes the part where they process the grain. What is the threshing floor? After the barley was harvested and brought to the threshing floor, Boaz would use animals or a threshing sledge to separate the kernels of grain from the stalks and husks. Then, usually in the evening when a steady breeze rose, he would use a winnowing fork to toss the mixture into the air; the heavier barley grain would fall back to the floor while the lighter chaff would blow away. Once the grain was clean, it was gathered into piles, measured, and protected through the night. And landowners, even wealthy ones would often get personally involved in these last processes before the grain was sold or stored. They would even sleep on the threshing floor to protect the investment from theft or danger.
Remember that this is the time of the judges and they have just gone through 10 years of famine. So, Naomi says, Boaz is going to be winnowing grain at the threshing floor tonight. Okay, so what do you want me to do?
3 So you shall wash yourself and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and you shall go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.
So, this is the end of the harvest. It is a time of celebration for worker and owner alike. On these occasions, there would be a time of eating and drinking and thankfulness to God. The harvest is done. God has abundantly blessed. So, Naomi tells her to get herself gussied up and make your way to the threshing floor. Wait tell the eating and drinking are over, and discretely follow Boaz.
Now, we have been telling this story. And I said that this story is a perfect illustration of what true repentance that leads to redemption is.
And here we find illustrated the first element of true Repentance; desire. On our part of the redemption equation, true repentance comes because of desire. A person has to desire a relationship with God, a relationship with Christ, in order to come to true repentance.
The sad part of the state of Christianity today is that many who claim to be Christians, never really ever desired a relationship with the Lord. They may have wanted an insurance policy against eternal punishment. They may have converted in order to fit into a social group. Some maintain an appearance of Christianity by participating in rituals or attending meetings. But if you were to look at their heart of hearts, it is not with the Lord.
But I believe Ruth desired a relationship with Boaz. Now follow me here because Ruth never comes out and says, "I love you Boaz." But we have to consider where Ruth's mind was. Naomi initiates Ruth approaching Boaz about marriage. But if we read all the story we can't help but believe that she was in agreement with the match. There has to be more here than her simply obeying Naomi's instructions. That is exemplified by her actions when Naomi instructed her to put on her best clothes and wash herself and put on some perfume.
Realistically, Ruth could have said, "Why? If he doesn't want me in my dungarees and messy bun then tough luck." " Yes, I smell like I've been working the fields all day, because I have." No, she doesn't say any of that. She consents to doing everything she needs to do to make herself appealing to this kinsman Redeemer. She shows a desire to be redeemed. She shows a desire to enter this relationship with Boaz.
And true repentance also begins with that desire. When a person comes to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ they are approaching the great Redeemer. And so those who are truly repentant will demonstrate a deep desire to please Him in any way that they can. Jesus said something about that desire. He said "the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hid in a field, which when one discovers, he goes and sells all that he has, so he can buy that field." I want that treasure so I will sell everything to have it.
Obedience
What is the second element of true repentance? It is obedience.
Ruth's story continues. Naomi says
3 So you shall wash yourself and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and you shall go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 Let it be that when he lies down, you shall know the place where he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what you shall do.” 5 She said to her, “All that you say I will do.”
Naomi gives her further instruction. She is to wash and anoint herself, put on her best clothes. Then she is to go down to the threshing floor after the eating and drinking has taken place. She is not to let herself be known. This is going to be a private conversation between her and Boaz. She is to make note of where Boaz lies down. Then she is to quietly approach him and uncover his feet and lie down at his feet. Then Naomi says he will tell you what to do.
Now, this is where it gets really strange for us. We understand marriage. We even understand her proposing marriage to him. But what is all this secret, midnight approaching of a man where he sleeps? This doesn't sound like a proposal of marriage. It sounds like a proposition of another kind. This sounds like an indecent proposal. But let me explain. First, we must remember that Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz were righteous people, devoted to the Lord. There is nothing in this story that indicates otherwise. And their behavior up to this point demonstrates their faith. Second, there are customs here that we are not aware of. So, this is part of our just taking the story at face value and assuming that everything here is above board. You say, okay, but what is this uncovering his feet business. Go, uncover his feet and lay down at his feet.
Ruth’s uncovering Boaz’s feet was most likely a humble, culturally understood way of placing herself at his feet and prompting him to awaken so that she could make her appeal for redemption. It was not an act of sexual immorality. That is apparent by what she says when he awakens. She says to him, “Spread your wings [or the corner of your garment] over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” This was a request for his covenant protection and marriage. She is appealing to God's law regarding redemption.
But the point that we are trying to arrive at is that Ruth chooses to obey Naomi's instructions. In verse 5 she says, “All that you say I will do.” I will follow to the letter your instructions. And true repentance leading to redemption includes obedience and a desire to obey.
Listen to how Scripture describes salvation.
Romans 6:17–18 — “You who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart… and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” Redemption changes both our standing and our obedience.
1 John 2:3–4 — “By this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.” Obedience is evidence of knowing Christ.
Now, our obedience does not purchase our salvation. Ruth’s obedience did not purchase her redemption. It was Boaz who would bear that cost. But her obedience revealed the sincerity of her desire to be redeemed. Likewise, our obedience does not earn salvation; Christ alone pays the price. Yet true repentance produces “deeds in keeping with repentance” (Acts 26:20), because a heart that truly turns to Christ begins to submit to His Word.
Ruth has a spirit of obedience. Look at verse 6.
6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her.
So, what happened?
7 And Boaz ate and drank and his heart was merry, and he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came secretly and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 Then it happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and [b]bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
Now imagine this scene. It is past midnight. The location is a winnowing field in the middle of the country. There are no city lights out there. No fires. And Boaz wakes up in this pitch blackness and sees the vague outline of a person at his feet. As his eyes begin to adjust he sees that it's a woman. And he is quite startled by this discovery.
9 And he said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maidservant.
I'm sure that this took a moment to register. But before he has even had time to absorb what she tells him in regard to her identity she makes a request of him.
“I am Ruth your maidservant. So spread your wing over your maidservant, for you are a kinsman redeemer.”
Spread your wing over your maidservant. What is it that she is asking? This is actually a beautiful picture. When Ruth asks Boaz to “spread your wing over your servant” she is asking him to place her under his covenant protection as her kinsman-redeemer and husband. The Hebrew word kanaph can mean both “wing” and “corner of a garment,” so the request carries the picture of Boaz covering her with the corner of his cloak—a recognized image of protection, commitment, and marriage. Ezekiel 16:8 uses the same image when God says to Israel, “I spread the corner of my garment over you… and entered into a covenant with you, and you became mine.” Ruth’s request also deliberately echoes Boaz’s earlier prayer that she would receive a full reward from the Lord, “under whose wings you have come to take refuge” (Ruth 2:12). In effect, Ruth is saying, “Boaz, you prayed that I would find refuge beneath God’s wings; now you be the means by which God answers that prayer. Cover me, protect me, and redeem me.”
She goes and uses the words that Naomi told her to say. She is obedient. And all those who come to the Lord for redemption with genuine repentance will also come with a spirit of obedience.
What is the next element of true repentance? We have the desire, we have obedience, but we all must also have love. True repentance approaches the throne of God's grace with love. Listen first to how Boaz responds to her.
10 Then he said, “May you be blessed of Yahweh, my daughter. You have shown your last lovingkindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.
Boaz says to her that she has shown great love. Boaz says to Ruth that she had shown loving kindness in the past and now she is showing loving kindness even more than she did in the past. Well, how did Ruth show loving kindness in the past? Her first love was expressed in her faithfulness to Naomi. She committed herself to Naomi in returning from Moab. Remember her words to Naomi when Naomi told her that she should return to Moab.
“Do not press me to forsake you in turning back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may Yahweh do to me, and more, if anything but death separates you and me.”
But how is she showing loving kindness at this moment? Listen to what Boaz says. " You have shown your last lovingkindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich." She was showing loving kindness to him and to Naomi and to her former husband. After her husband, Naomi's son died she had no obligation placed on her to stay with Naomi or to carry on the line of her husband or father-in-law Elimelech. She could have gone home to Moab and sought a husband there. Or she could have, in Israel, gone after young men, following after her sensual desires. She could have gone after Rich young Men, On a quest for wealth. She had the freedom. She did not have to seek someone inside of Naomi's clan. She was not an Israelite. She had no constraints as to who she could seek in marriage. She did not have to do what Naomi said.
As I mentioned previously, it would appear, from his statement, that Boaz was older, maybe much older than Ruth.
But listen, she chooses a path that will not only bring her to rest but also bring rest to Naomi and ultimately continue the line of her late husband and father-in-law.
I really believe that Ruth is thinking of everyone here. But, lest we think that she is just a pragmatist, I think he is talking about her loving kindness toward him as well. I think this tells us something about the possible romance that had developed between Ruth and Boaz.
We cannot be dogmatic here but this really is a romantic scene. I want you to notice something. Ruth shows up at Boaz feet in the middle of the night. He is wakened out of a dead sleep. He sees a woman at his feet and is startled and frightened. He says to her "who are you?" And she immediately responds,
“I am Ruth your maidservant. So spread your wing over your maidservant, for you are a kinsman redeemer.”
She says I am Ruth your maid servant, "marry me Boaz!" Now I don't know how many times you've gotten a marriage proposal in the middle of the night after being awakened from a dead sleep, but I can't imagine that if this were me, that my first words would be
“May you be blessed of Yahweh, my daughter. You have shown your last lovingkindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.
I suspect that my first word would be "what? what? Who are you again?" "Let's walk this back a little." "Cool your jets young lady." But notice how quickly he responds. I think he responds that quickly because he has considered this before now. I think this is something that was on his mind. You see, Boaz could have also pursued her before now. Well, why didn't he? Well, first there was an expected time of grief for the loss of her husband. But I think that there were other considerations in play that had to do with love.
We can't know all of this but speaking as a decent guy, I wouldn't want a marriage that came out of anything but love. I wouldn't want to be married to someone who did so out of a sense of obligation. I wouldn't want to be married to someone who did so just to ensure the financial solvency of their family or their mother-in-law. And Boaz, understanding their age difference, and maybe because he didn't want to push her into a marriage out of a sense of loyalty, or obligation, or even pragmatism, didn't want to pursue something that he wasn't sure came from her heart. He wanted marriage that came out of love.
And true repentant comes out of love. A strong way to say it is: “True repentance grows out of God’s love for us and produces love for Him.” Scripture says in 1 John 4:19 — “We love because he first loved us.” Luke 7:47 — “He who is forgiven little, loves little.” He who is forgiven much, loves much." And John 14:15 — “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
True repentance is not merely sorrow over sin’s consequences, it is not merely obedience or a desire for a relationship; it is a loving response to the kindness and love of God. His grace leads us to turn from sin, and because we have been forgiven, we begin to love Christ and desire to obey Him.
So here I think is an indication that she loved him and then in verse 11 we can see that he also loved her.
11 So now, my daughter, do not fear. All that you say, I will do for you; for all my people within the gates of the city know that you are a woman of excellence.
He calls her a woman of excellence. I mentioned this in a previous message, but the same word that is applied to her here as was applied to Boaz in our first meeting him. He is called a mighty man of excellence. That meant that his character was righteous and godly and good. And her charactor is righteous and godly and good. She is the same kind of woman. She is a proverbs thirty-one woman.
10 [d]An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above pearls. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. 12 She deals bountifully with him for good and not evil All the days of her life.
15 And she rises while it is still night, And gives [g]food to her household And a [h]portion to her young women.
20 She [l]extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of [p]idleness.
29 “Many daughters have done excellently, But you have gone above them all.”
This statement, about her excellence, expresses a love and admiration for her.
So, what is the last element of true repentance.
Trust
True repentance comes with trust. Those who come to faith by true repentance put their trust in Jesus Christ and his saving power. They put their trust in God. We've already seen that Naomi's trust in God faltered at the beginning of this story.
“Do not call me [i]Naomi; call me [j]Mara, for [k]the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, but Yahweh has caused me to return empty. Why do you call me Naomi? Yahweh has answered against me, and [l]the Almighty has brought calamity against me.”
But despite the fact that for a moment she had doubts about God. We find in this story that Naomi ultimately maintains her faith in God.
Well, here is the part of the story where Naomi and Ruth are required to trust. Now everything up to this point is looking great. But then we get this kind of offhanded statement in verse 12.
12 But now it is true I am a kinsman redeemer; however, there is a kinsman redeemer closer than I.
There is a kinsman redeemer closer than I. I could marry you, but there is a relative that is more closely related, and he has first right. I think those words must have produced a lump in Ruth's throat. There is another kinsman Redeemer closer than I. What that means for Ruth is that there is another man who could marry her. Here is something I don't think she counted on. In that moment I suspect she is thinking, " I don't want to marry another man. But Boaz says to her
13 Stay this night, and it will be in the morning that, if he will [c]redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not desire to [d]redeem you, then I will redeem you, as Yahweh lives. Lie down until morning.”
Boaz wants to redeem Ruth, but he must do so righteously. A nearer relative exists. The matter must be settled in the proper order. There was a line of succession regarding who was to marry the widow in these cases. And a closer relative existed. But also keep in mind that Boaz is not only thinking in terms of marriage but in terms of Ruth and Naomi's rest.
At this point ruth and Naomi can do nothing but trust that Boaz will be a man of his word.
15 And he said, “Give me the cloak that is on you and hold it.” So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley and placed it on her. Then [e]she went into the city. He sends her on her way with six measures of barley. Remember in a previous sermon that when Ruth gleaned in the field the first time that she gleaned an ephah of barley?
In Ruth 3:15, the Bible does not actually name the size of the “measure.” The Hebrew simply says Boaz gave Ruth “six of barley,” so English translations supply the word measures because the exact unit is unknown.
If the amount were six seahs—one traditional suggestion—it would equal about two ephahs, a very large load. If we remember how much an ephah was, He is essentially measuring her double the grain that she got when she gleaned the first time. By weight that would be about 60 pounds. Now, that is not impossible, but Scripture does not give enough information to state the amount confidently; the emphasis is Boaz’s generous provision, not the precise weight.
Verse 16 goes on to say
16 Then she came to her mother-in-law, and she said, “[f]How did it go, my daughter?” And she told her all that the man had done for her. 17 She said, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, ‘Do not go to your mother-in-law empty.’”
This is a beautiful reversal of Naomi’s earlier grief: “I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty” (Ruth 1:21). God is already filling the emptiness.
I believe Naomi was a lot like us. When we are walking through Dark Valleys we often have very dark thoughts. But if we have come to true faith through true repentance then Scripture says that we are in the hand of God and no one will be able to pluck us out of his hand. Neither life nor death nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come we'll be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ.
That reality on God's side is demonstrated by his working behind the scenes in our lives strengthening us encouraging us. On our side it is demonstrated by our trust in God. We are sometimes like a Job who said "though He slay me yet will I trust him."
And Ruth and Naomi had to trust Boaz. The barley was a pledge to both Ruth and Naomi that he will follow through on his promises. They had to trust him.
18 Then she said, “Sit, then, my daughter, until you know how the matter falls into place; for the man will not remain quiet until he has finished the matter today.”
And part of real faith and real repentance is trust. We make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ but it is not a guarantee that we will have no problems, no sicknesses, no losses, no deaths, no times of despair in our lives. But if we have come to true repentance he has given us a down payment; A reason to trust him. What is our 6 measures of barley?
Ephesians 1:13–14 — Believers are “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it.”
2 Corinthians 1:21–22 — God “has put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
The word translated “guarantee” (arrabōn) carries the idea of a deposit, pledge, or down payment that assures the full inheritance to come.
The Holy Spirit is our six measures of barley. And if our redemption and repentance are true, they come with trust. Trust from a believer never stops. We may have unanswered prayer, sickness, unfulfilled dreams, questions or doubts about our faith. But if we came to faith through true repentance then we hold on to that trust.
Psalm 27:14 Hope in Yahweh; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Hope in Yahweh.
Imagine a young woman who has become engaged while her fiancé is away completing the final arrangements for their home. She does not yet live in that home, and she does not yet see every detail of her future, but she wears the ring he gave her. The ring is not the marriage itself, nor is it the house they will share; it is the pledge that says, “I have chosen you, I am coming for you, and I will fulfill what I have promised.” She can look at that ring in seasons of waiting and remember that her future does not rest on her feelings that day, but on the character and promise of the one who gave it.
That is where Ruth and Naomi stand at the end of Ruth 3. Boaz has not yet completed the redemption, but he sends Ruth home with barley—a gracious provision and a pledge that he will not rest until the matter is settled. And that is where every believer stands. We have not yet entered the fullness of our inheritance, but Christ has given us His Spirit as the guarantee of what is to come (Ephesians 1:13–14). So, when the waiting is long, when prayer is unanswered, when grief is heavy, and when we cannot yet see how the matter will fall into place, we look again at the pledge: the Spirit of God within us, the promises of His Word, and the cross where our Redeemer paid the price. Our Boaz—our greater Redeemer—will not fail to finish the matter.