Chapter 3:16-18
"Ruth's Relationships"
J. Deering, AncientPath.net

MASTER STUDY
Introduction, Visualized Text with Commentary and Q&A, Charts

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS:
 

Now the scene shifts back to Ruth and Naomi. Ruth has returned to the city and is now with Naomi. She must have been something in the look on her face or perhaps the way she did not speak right away – she should have been full of excitement – for Naomi asks an oblique question, using only two Hebrew words, "How you?" This question is much like the modern English expression "What's up, girl?"

Ruth opens up to Naomi, probably close to tears, and tells her all. Don't let your imagination run wild here, for she tells her all… Boaz has done for her! Have you ever been with someone like that, so gracious, so kind, to you? I had the opportunity, many years ago, to get George Beverly Shea from the Boston airport and take him to an event. I rode in the back seat with this grand man. I had heard him on the radio, seen him in movies, seen him on television, knew that he spent years with Dr. Billy Graham, and here I was sitting with him. We spent almost an hour getting just four miles in the cab. Do you know what he wanted to talk about for that hour? Me. Twenty-four year old, insignificant, gopher guy, me. I've never forgotten him and the graciousness of the Lord in him. That's what Boaz was like.

Now Ruth must wait upon Boaz. The events of this day will shape her life and change her forever.

That's the overview; now let's look at some specifics.

THE VISUALIZED TEXT (NASB)  (conjunctions & prepositions (and other important words) underlined, words not in original text in italics)  (alternate text in purple)

(3:16)

And when

          she came to her mother-in-law,

          she said, "How did it go, my daughter?" And

          she told her all that the man had done for her.

Brief Commentary on Ruth 3:16

Ruth has successfully made the journey from the Fields of Boaz back to Bethlehem and Naomi's home. Just above we have already mentioned the reception between Ruth and Naomi. Things did not go as she had expected. She went to him looking for her kinsman-redeemer and found that "another relative" was closer in kin to her and could have that responsibility. She was then sent home and told to wait upon Boaz. Yes, she would be redeemed, but by whom?

Questions and Answers about Ruth 3:16

1. When was this?
   (We are not told, but apparently early that morning soon after daylight)

2. Where did Ruth go first?
   (We are not told specifically but Naomi is the first person mentioned)

3. What did Naomi ask Ruth?
   ("How did it go?") (To me it seems like Ruth must have had a dazed look on her face when she came into Naomi's kitchen – Naomi didn't ask "did he agree to marry you?, but, "How did it go?" The Hebrew seems to indicate an oblique question, almost stereotypical "How you, daughter?")

4. (What does Ruth say in response to the question?)
   (She tells all)

5.  All what?
   ("All that the man had done")

6. All that the man had done HOW?
   (FOR her, not TO her)

(3:17)
And

          she said, "These six measures of barley he gave to me,

for

          he said, 'Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'"

Brief Commentary on Ruth 3:17

We have already touched upon the measures of barley that Boaz gave to Ruth to give to Naomi and the more I think on this moment in their lives more I think it is all about remembering the promises of the LORD.

Deuteronomy 8:6-8
"Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; A land of wheat, and barley…."

Boaz has kept the law with Ruth that night, now Boaz will keep the law even if it means losing Ruth. He loves Ruth, but he loves his LORD and His commandments even more.

Questions and Answers about Ruth 3:17

1. What had Boaz given Ruth?
   (Six measures of barley [handfuls or double-handfuls], just enough to hold in the space between your body and your arm, using your cloak you are wearing as a container)

2. Why did Boaz give this gift of grain to Ruth?
   (To give to Naomi. "Don't go back to her without a present from me for all she has done.")

(3:18)

Then

          she said, "Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out;

for

          the man will not rest until he has settled it today."

Brief Commentary on Ruth 3:18

Naomi is touched by the meaning of the barley, and Boaz's words, "… If he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, the I will redeem you, as the LORD lives…." (3:13) Naomi tells Ruth, "Don't sit down like a judge" (Heb: yahsab). Don't judge Boaz, don't judge Naomi, don't judge this other kinsman. Wait upon the LORD.

And wait we must!

Questions and Answers about Ruth 3:18

1. See the translation note on this verse later in this document.

2. Having seen the note can you make a better translation for Naomi's "Wait"?
   (Don't do anything until…, Stay here until..., Tarry until… - Don't make up your mind about or worry about your future until…)

3. How long should Ruth wait?
   (Until Boaz has settled the matter this day, before sundown.)

4. Why, in Naomi's estimation?
   (Boaz will not rest until he has settled it!)

 Horizontal Chart for Ruth 3:16-18

Ruth 3:16-18

The Progress

"And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "How did it go, my daughter?" And she told her all that the man had done for her. And she said, "These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, 'Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.' Then she said, "Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today."

Verse Percentage Chart for Ruth 3:16-18

The Book of Ruth, Bible Study, J. Deering, AncientPath.net, study materials are a ministry of AncientPath.net, and may be copied for use in Bible study groups, in limited numbers, providing that no charge is made for them.  No further distribution or use of these materials is allowable under U.S. or International Copyright Law without the express permission of AncientPath.net. ©2008 AncientPath.net, All rights reserved.

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