Naomi said go at night. Lie down at his feet. He will know what to do.
📖Based on Ruth 3:9
It was after the harvest.
Boaz was winnowing barley on the threshing floor.
Naomi told Ruth to wash and anoint herself and put on her best clothes.
Go down to the threshing floor. Don't make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.
When he lies down, note the place where he lies. Go, uncover his feet, and lie down.
He will tell you what to do.
Ruth said: All that you say I will do.
She went down and did everything her mother-in-law told her.
Boaz ate and drank and his heart was merry.
He went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain.
She came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down.
At midnight the man was startled and turned over.
And behold — a woman was lying at his feet.
He said: Who are you?
She said: I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.
That phrase. Spread your wings.
Earlier in the book, Boaz had blessed her. He had said: The LORD repay you for what you have done. A full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.
Now she was asking him to be the physical expression of that blessing.
He told her she had shown more kindness than at the beginning.
He said he would do for her all that she asked.
He told her to lie down until morning. Leave before people could see her.
She left before light.
He filled her shawl with six measures of barley.
She came back to Naomi.
Naomi said: Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out.
She sat still.
And the matter turned out.
Scripture — Ruth 3:9
"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."
Reflection
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Ruth asked Boaz to be the answer to the blessing he himself had prayed for her. Sometimes we are placed near the person who carries our provision.
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Naomi said wait. Ruth sat still. The restraint after action is as important as the action.