Ruth 3
Lutheran reading notes
In Ruth chapter 3, the account continues the story of loyalty, covenant faithfulness, and the lineage of David. Lutheran interpretation frequently highlights how these events reveal both human sinfulness and God’s faithful promises. The chapter demonstrates the tension between human failure and God’s ongoing grace working through history.
1
Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
Ruth 3:1 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
And now {is} not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
Ruth 3:2 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: {but} make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
Ruth 3:3 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. {uncover: or, lift up the clothes that are on}
Ruth 3:4 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
Ruth 3:5 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
Ruth 3:6 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
Ruth 3:7 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. {turned: or, took hold on}
Ruth 3:8 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
And he said, Who {art} thou? And she answered, I {am} Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou {art} a near kinsman. {a near...: or, one that hath right to redeem}
Ruth 3:9 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
And he said, Blessed {be} thou of the LORD, my daughter: {for} thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
Ruth 3:10 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou {art} a virtuous woman. {city: Heb. gate}
Ruth 3:11 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
And now it is true that I {am thy} near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
Ruth 3:12 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, {that} if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, {as} the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.
Ruth 3:13 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.
Ruth 3:14 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
Also he said, Bring the vail that {thou hast} upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six {measures} of barley, and laid {it} on her: and she went into the city. {vail: or, sheet, or, apron}
Ruth 3:15 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who {art} thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
Ruth 3:16 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
And she said, These six {measures} of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
Ruth 3:17 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.