This essay contains the best explanation I've ever read of Ruth's odd way of proposing to Boaz (And Dr. James Hamilton writes it's the best essay he's ever read on the book of Ruth!). Ruth went to Boaz secretly, at night, on the threshing floor, uncovered his feet, and lay down at his feet in hopes of marriage and children (Ruth 3). This method of a marriage proposal has caused confusion and disagreement among commentators, pastors, and laymen alike.
Some, like Sinclair Ferguson, Geoff Thomas, and Alistair Begg, go so far as to argue that this was sinful/bad advice from Naomi, and Ruth should not have obeyed and gone to Boaz like this (so another example of God drawing straight lines with crooked sticks; though Naomi and Ruth acted foolishly, God meant it for good). But this scene sets up Ruth as the antitypical Moabite.
Others argue that Boaz and Ruth had a forbidden sexual encounter because the text is full of sexual/sensual language. But this is also wrong and misses the point.
It is true, the text is filled with sexual/sensual language: it happens in secret, at night, on the threshing floor (a place associated with sexual promiscuity), & the three words used in the encounter can have sexual meanings (uncover, feet, lie). But again, this is setting up Ruth as the antitypical Moabite.
Remember the daughters of Lot (Genesis 19:28-37)? They wanted children, so they got their father to drink wine, at night, secretly went to him, lay with him, and all this to bear children. This was wicked and sinful. This is where the Moabites came from.
In a similar way, yet also in stark contrast, Ruth, the Moabite, secretly came to Boaz (a father figure who called her "daughter"), at night, after he was merry with drink (but not drunk), uncovered his feet, and lay down at his feet, asking him to take her under his wings (marry her) to provide children!
Unlike Lot's daughters, Ruth does it right! She and Boaz are pure and holy before God. They do not have sex, but wait on God's direction. But the language and the situation point our minds back to the origin of the Moabites. Ruth is the antitypical Moabite who follows the LORD and His ways in holiness and purity. Unlike the daughters of Moab with whom Israel committed sexual immorality (Numbers 25), Ruth was sexually pure. Unlike the daughters of Moab who led Israel to worship false gods (Numbers 25), Ruth took refuge under the wings of the one, true, and living God - the LORD God almighty! And from her offspring ultimately comes the perfectly pure, sinless, and holy One - the LORD Jesus Christ. He is the God-Man Who saves Jews and Gentiles, idolaters and the self-righteous, the sexually immoral and all sinners through His life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension! Everyone who repents and believes in the LORD Jesus Christ shall be saved!
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved! Acts 16:31
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life! John 3:16
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
To learn more about the great King Jesus and His glorious Gospel message, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here with a free, 3 day trial.
Helpful Resources On The Book Of Ruth
1. Sermons on Ruth by John Piper
2. Sermons on Ruth by Mark Dever
3. Sermons on Ruth on Monergism
4. Commentary on Ruth by Precept Austin
5. Top Five Commentaries on Ruth by Ligonier Ministries
6. Best Commentaries on Ruth by Tim Challies
7. Love Story: A Study In Ruth by David Platt
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