Page 68 - Advanced OT Survey Student Textbook

calamity upon me.” Yet, focusing on her trials has made Naomi blind to God’s provision. Viewing herself
as empty, Naomi overlooks Ruth, the one God will use to save her.

Chapter’s 2:1-23 focus on God’s provision to Naomi and Ruth. After opening introduction of Boaz
creates expectation, Ruth asks to go glean at Boaz’s fields. He responds with great care, offering Ruth
provision and protection, likely due to his family heritage. She is overwhelmed by his generosity, which
he credits to YHWH’s reward for loyal love for Naomi. Boaz even allows Ruth to glean among bundles,
instructing his servants to leave grain for her. When Ruth returns to Naomi, and shows what she
gleaned, and tells about Boaz, Naomi is overjoyed, as he is a family redeemer. She instructs Ruth to stay
with his female servants. Their emptiness is filled through harvest season, but the future remains
uncertain. There is no evident escape long-term security for Naomi and Ruth.

Escape Plan (3:1-18) Naomi, desiring security for Ruth, devises a plan to entice Boaz to marry her: bathe,
perfume, best clothes, midnight rendezvous in secluded place, after drinking he will tell you what to do.
Risking her reputation out of love for Naomi, Ruth goes to the threshing floor, but she shows strength by
proposing marriage. Boaz praises her loyalty, gives conditional agreement that if closer relative refuses,
He would continue provision. Boaz shows his character by following the spirit of the levirate law-
marrying widow, and raising offspring for deceased (Deut. 25:5f). When Ruth brings news, Naomi hopes
her future is secure, but they wait for Boaz to resolve issue soon!

Escape Secure (4:1-22) Going to the gate to settle this business matter, Boaz gathers the elders and the
closer family redeemer. When he offers property rights to Elimelech’s land, the other man agrees,
perhaps thinking of Naomi as the only widow with no sons. Or since the levirate duty was voluntary,
perhaps he planned to ignore Ruth. But Boaz ensures Ruth’s security, by adding her redemption to
agreement, especially among elders. When the man defers, Boaz redeems the land, acquires Ruth as his
wife. YHWH blessed them with a son, but the focus quickly shifts to city women, praising God for
reversing Naomi’s plight, giving her a daughter-in-law and grandson, securing escape. But this son was
not just a way of escape for Naomi, but part of royal lineage. Boaz and Ruth were the great
grandparents of King David.

The Book of Ruth

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