In this third part of Ruth’s journey, Naomi is seeking security for her and Ruth. Naomi proposed for Ruth to meet her kinsmen redeemer, Boaz, at the threshing floor. This was risky business and potential for a scandal. In those days the woman who desired to be married to the next of kin went down to the threshing floor to lay at the man’s feet. Ruth 3:9-10 describes Ruth’s interaction with Boaz, “Who are you?” he asked.” I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family. “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.”  The threshing floor was the place where the winnowing process of the wheat took place. It separated the old or worthless wheat (the chaff) by leaving only the finest of the wheat kernels. The threshing floor was located east of the city so that the westerly winds could blow away the chaff. Laying at the threshing floor was a common practice in the Old Testament and happened in the wee hours of the night The landowner usually spent the night on the threshing floor to prevent theft and take his turn threshing the wheat. This was the perfect opportunity for Ruth to claim Boaz’ hand in marriage.

The Lord God is so creative in arranging his plans and purposes. God uses this unlikely but willing woman to redeem her and Naomi’s past by ensuring his full reward through their kinsman redeemer, Boaz. They must wait and watch to see God’s hand unfold for their blessing and his glory. Ezekiel 16:8 describes God’s deep love to redeem Israel, “I passed by you, you were at the age of love. I spread my clock over you and over your nakedness. I pledged myself to you and entered a covenant with you says the Lord God, and you became mine.”

This is what Jesus, our Kinsman redeemer, did for us. On the cross, he wiped away our past, present, and future sins to make us new, leaving only the finest of everything in us, his life. The Scripture tells us that when we enter the Kingdom of God, we became brothers and sisters of Christ because his finished work on the cross redeemed our sin and purchased us to be his very own, to live anew, and become heirs with God. Just like the winnowing process at the threshing floor, so it is with our new life in Christ. The breath or wind of the Holy Spirit moves into our lives to remove the old habits and transforms us into Christ’s image. How beautiful is the work of the Lord! As we willingly and fully surrender all things at the feet of Jesus, the Spirit begins to regenerate our heart and sanctify our lives to reap his full reward. No matter how many times we lay our lives down, Jesus is always bidding us to come and rest in him and be made whole.

Boaz would not rest until he knew Ruth was fully redeemed and safe in his arms as His bride. Nor will Jesus Christ, our living Savior. He wants you as His redeemed bride, never fearing the unknown but walking as a worthy child of God in the newness of life.

Dear Father,

We praise you for redeeming us yesterday, today, and forever in Jesus Christ. We love and give you thanks for the covenant you made with us. You are ours, and we are yours! Oh, divine Holy Spirit, shape us every day to become more like Jesus.

In Jesus name,

Amen!

Blessings

Dr. Caroline