He said, “Who are you?†And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.†And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.†– Ruth 3:9-10 (ESV)
Reflection
In Ruth’s journey in this new land, she moves from a place of blessing to a place of risk. She has seen God’s blessing in the fields as her mother-in-law’s relative, Boaz, provides her protection and an abundance of grain. It would have been easy to rest in this provision and create a comfortable home with Naomi. But she is called to do more, relying on these gifts to step out further into God’s plan. Neither she, nor Naomi, are complacent with the mercy they receive. In order to carry on the family blood line, a marriage needs to take place with a kinsman redeemer – and that is Boaz. So, Ruth, with Naomi’s urging, goes to the threshing floor at the end of the day to ask for this redemption. A place where a decent woman would never dare to go. [Read more…] about Risk on the Threshing Floor (Scholar’s Compass)