by John O’Malley
“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” (Ruth 3:13).
The cover of darkness hovered over Boaz and Ruth. The midnight hour was upon them as decisions affecting the rest of their lives were contemplated. Ruth listened as Boaz’s words comforted, confused, and calmed her simultaneously.
Boaz proclaimed he wanted to be her goel. Then, he spoke of the technicality of the law that would eliminate him from doing the part. The law indicated the proximity in age or blood to the deceased relative would give them first opportunity to be a kinsman-redeemer.
In the stillness of the night, with Ruth’s heart surely beating fast, Boaz instructs her to stay the night and lie down, remaining at his feet until the morning; and they would see what would happen in the matter of the kinsman who was nearer. Ruth could have thought, “He may be nearer, but he could not be dearer than my Boaz. I will pray that the God who brought our lives together will allow our hearts to be together.”
Boaz’s concluding words on the matter spoke volumes to her heart: “As the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning.” His words brought the reminder to her that God, the great I AM, the Source of everything, the self-existing God of Israel, controlled this moment at the threshing floor and would take care of it. Boaz’s counsel to Ruth would have an immediate effect and a delayed effect on their family. Solomon , their son four generations later, would write in the inspired text, “He giveth his beloved sleep” (Psalms 127:2). God would see to it that this difficulty would be overcome while they slept.
The threshing floor of Bethlehem-judah held two searching hearts that honorably desired to be together. Those hearts found delightful rest that night. They drifted off to sleep knowing that God was working things for their good, and they could rest in His ability.
Are you able to rest in the promises of God? Do the worries of the tomorrow prevent your sleep from arriving each night? Allow Boaz’s words to Ruth to help your own heart: “As the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning.” The next night that brings woes and worries of what might be at dawn, remember that the only thing that is sure to be tomorrow is not a what, but Who.