Ruth and Boaz Marry - "He is One of Our Repurchasers"

From the barley harvest in April until the wheat harvest in June, Ruth kept gleaning in the fields of Boaz. As the weeks passed, Naomi  no doubt thought more about what she could do for her beloved daughter-in-law.  Back in Moab, Naomi had been convinced  that she could never help Ruth find another husband.  (Ruth 1:11-13)  Now, though, she was beginning to think differently.  She approached Ruth and said:  "My daughter, ought I not to look for a resting-place for you?"  (Ruth 3:1)  It was customary in those days for parents to find mates for their children, and Ruth had become  a true daughter to Naomi.  She wanted to find Ruth  "a resting-place"-referring to the security and protection that a home and husband might provide.  What could Naomi do?  

When Ruth mentioned Boaz, Naomi said:  "The man is related to us.  He is one of our repurchasers."  (Ruth 2:20) What did that mean?  God's Law to Israel included loving provisions for families who as a result of poverty or bereavement fell on hard times. If a woman was widowed while still childless, she was especially devastated because her husband's name, his posterity, would be cut off, lost to future generations. However, God's Law allowed the man's brother to marry the widow so that she could give birth to an heir who might carry on her deceased husband's name and care for the family property."  -Deuteronomy 25:5-7. 

Naomi related to Ruth a plan of action.  We might imagine the young woman's eyes widening as her mother-in-law spoke. Israel's  Law was still new to Ruth, and many of its customs were still quite foreign to her. Even so, she held Naomi in such high regard that she listened carefully to every word.  What Naomi advised her to do might have seemed awkward or embarrassing-even potentially humiliating-yet Ruth agreed. She meekly said:  "All that you say to me I shall do." -Ruth 3:5. 

Sometimes it is difficult for young people to listen to the advice of those who are older and more experienced. It is easy to assume that older ones do not really understand the challenges and problems the young face.  Ruth's humble example reminds us that listening to the wisdom of older ones who love us and have our best interests at heart can be very rewarding.  (Read Psalm 71:17, 18.)  But what was Naomi's advice and was Ruth really rewarded for heeding it?

Next time: Ruth and Boaz Marry - Ruth at the Threshing Floor

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