Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. 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'...Then she said, 'Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.'” vv.8-9, 18
Read chapter 3
Ruth proposed to Boaz! Well she at least started it. Seems a little odd to us that Naomi tells her to go lay down at his feet and he will tell her what she should do, but we have to remember it was probably weird for Ruth as well being a Moabitess not knowing the culture and traditions of the Israelites at that time. Yet still we see Ruth submitting whole heartedly to Naomi and her new culture and lifestyle.
So Ruth goes and lays down at the feet of Boaz while he's sleeping and protecting the harvest, this is not some erotic thing going on, and even shows that the master is doing the labor too, not just giving orders to do something he would never do himself. Of course he's startled at first probably thinking it was a thief. When he realizes it's Ruth she says take her under his wing. This is asking to be under his power and protection, her proposal of marriage to him. Bold woman! We see though that after she proposes Boaz takes the lead from there on out. Ruth may have initiated but the man assumes the lead. Now it's the waiting time for Ruth and advised by her mother-in-law she is to sit still until Boaz concludes the matter. Oh how hard that would have been and is still today for a lot of us woman waiting on our boyfriend/husband to marry or take the lead in any matter.
How can you be both bold and submissive with your marriage or potential marriage partner? Do you need to propose something right now or sit still and wait?
Ruth proposed to Boaz! Well she at least started it. Seems a little odd to us that Naomi tells her to go lay down at his feet and he will tell her what she should do, but we have to remember it was probably weird for Ruth as well being a Moabitess not knowing the culture and traditions of the Israelites at that time. Yet still we see Ruth submitting whole heartedly to Naomi and her new culture and lifestyle.
So Ruth goes and lays down at the feet of Boaz while he's sleeping and protecting the harvest, this is not some erotic thing going on, and even shows that the master is doing the labor too, not just giving orders to do something he would never do himself. Of course he's startled at first probably thinking it was a thief. When he realizes it's Ruth she says take her under his wing. This is asking to be under his power and protection, her proposal of marriage to him. Bold woman! We see though that after she proposes Boaz takes the lead from there on out. Ruth may have initiated but the man assumes the lead. Now it's the waiting time for Ruth and advised by her mother-in-law she is to sit still until Boaz concludes the matter. Oh how hard that would have been and is still today for a lot of us woman waiting on our boyfriend/husband to marry or take the lead in any matter.
How can you be both bold and submissive with your marriage or potential marriage partner? Do you need to propose something right now or sit still and wait?
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