Ruth 3:8

Ruth 3:8 says, And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.  Boaz awoke at midnight afraid, and turned over and saw the woman, Ruth, at his feet.  We are not told why he was afraid, but I am sure he didn't expect to find a woman at his feet.  Verse nine adds, 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.  Ruth told him her name and said she was a near kinswomen of his.  She also said she was his handmaiden and asked that he spread his skirt over her.  She was simply asking Boaz to take her under his protection as the Jewish law of that time would have dictated he do.  We are likewise to come under the protection of Christ if we are His followers, and when we do, we will be wrapped in his protective arms.  Verse ten continues, And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.  Boaz asked God's blessings on Ruth, since she had not gone to a young man for protection, but had come to him, even though he was old.  There may be more physically appealing things in the world today than the ways of God, but we need to realize that the old paths of God will always be better.  Verse eleven states, And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.  Boaz told Ruth not to fear, that he would do what she asked so that all the city would know that she was a virtuous woman.  He had seen her work to take care of her mother-in-law and knew that she would not be there for immoral reasons.  What does our character tell people about us today?  Verse twelve adds, And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.  Boaz told Ruth that he was a near kinsman, but that there was one who was closer kin.  If Boaz were to follow the law of God, he could not simply ignore a part of it to suit himself, just as we cannot ignore any of God's law today simply to suit ourselves if we are followers of Christ.  Boaz would only marry Ruth if the closer kinsman refused to do so.  Matthew Henry says that Naomi must not have known of this closer kinsman, or she would have sent Ruth to him instead of to Boaz.  Verse thirteen continues, Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning.  Boaz told Ruth to lie down until the morning, and if the closer kinsman would fulfill his obligation to marry her, then that was how it would be.  We as followers of Christ should never have to rely on others to fulfill our obligations to God, but sometimes if they don't fulfill theirs, we may have to fulfill theirs.  Boaz also said that if this other kinsman would not marry Ruth, then he would.  Verse fourteen says, And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.  She rested there until sometime before morning and then left as Boaz had instructed her to do.  Though they had done nothing wrong, it would have appeared that they had to others.  Boaz did not want this to be a problem for either of them.  We must live in such a way that no one can accuse us of sinning just because the appearance of what we are doing makes it look like we may be doing something immoral.  When it comes to our relationship to God, we do have to care what others think.  Verse fifteen adds, Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.  Before Ruth left, he gave her a measure of barley in her veil.  He was already beginning to take care of her needs, just as God will always take care of ours today if we put our faith in Hm through our relationship with Christ.  Verse sixteen continues, And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.  When Ruth returned to Naomi, she asked Ruth who she was, not because she didn't recognize her, but because she wanted to know if she was now married or not.  Ruth told Naomi all that had happened.  Verse seventeen states, And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.  Ruth told Naomi that Boaz had not sent her away empty handed but had sent her with food for the two of them to eat.  Since it was past gleaning time, Ruth would not be able to get food for them that day.  We do not need to simply glean spiritually from God's provisions as Christians but can feast at His table if we put our faith in Him.  Verse eighteen adds, Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.  Naomi told Ruth to rest, because Boaz would not wait, but would settle the matter that day.  We as followers of Christ can rest easy today, because God has already settled the matter of our salvation when we accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord.