Ruth: A Story Of Redemption By Cailin Leacock Sample

At His Feet

Faithful, obedient and loyal Ruth follows Naomi’s instructions and goes to Boaz on the threshing floor. For a 21st-century audience, sending Ruth to go and lie at Boaz’s feet seems extremely odd! Ruth was instructed to secretly go in to where Boaz was, uncover his feet and then lie down.

However, in Hebrew culture, this was not strange at all. In fact, Ruth uncovering Boaz’s feet was seen as requesting redemption and salvation—it was as if Ruth was verbally asking Boaz to step in and redeem her. Secondly, it was a form of a proposal: Ruth was not just asking for redemption, she was asking Boaz to take her as his wife. In Ruth 3:9 (ESV), Ruth says to Boaz, “Spread your wings [garment] over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

This is beautiful imagery and something we see throughout the Old Testament. Ezekiel 16:8 shows God’s role as a husband to Israel. God takes His garment and puts it over His people. Psalm 91:4, meanwhile, shows God’s role as Israel’s protector.

Boaz agrees to redeem Ruth, and by default Naomi too. Similarly, Jesus never rejects anyone who comes to Him. He wants to redeem us, rescue us and enter into a covenant relationship with each one of us.

Boaz was not hiding the fact that Ruth had come to the threshing floor out of shame. Instead, he wanted to protect the image she had of being a loyal and faithful daughter-in-law to Naomi. In the same way, Jesus will never cause us to feel shame or guilt. Everything He does for us is done out of absolute love and a desire to restore.

Boaz reassures Ruth and gives her barley to take with her; enough for her and Naomi to enjoy. As believers, we are rich through the salvation Jesus gives us: an eternal gift. And yet added to that, Jesus has lavished many gifts on us, including the precious Holy Spirit. 

Do you realize that this is God’s heart towards you: to protect you and watch over you?