by John O’Malley
“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” (Ruth 3:14).
The hours from midnight until the darkest hour before dawn passed without recorded conversation. Certainly, they could have spoken, but we do not know it. We do know that she remained at his feet through the night. Nothing illicit would occur as Boaz, honorable in deed, and Ruth, honorable in her devotion to him, would follow what was right instead of what might have felt right in the moment.
It would be very easy to imagine that sleep may not have come for either of them that night. They could have easily shared their hearts and plans for the future through the hours between midnight and dawn’s arrival. However, the moment came where it was the best thing for Ruth to go back home and wait for a word from Boaz.
They knew the reproach that could be brought by the townspeople if they saw her returning home after being out all night and coming from the threshing floor’s direction. Although no one would know what had occurred, she determined it best to rise early and go home so as to protect their honor. Ruth began to rise and leave. Boaz spoke to her in what is perceived as a whisper.
Boaz thought it best for Ruth to do as she was intending. Prudent discretion guided them in this moment. She would depart from him and await his response at Naomi's house. He said, “Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.” He was not casting her out in rejection for that would have been done at midnight. Boaz was concerned for Ruth; he wanted her to avoid the questions and discussion by the residents of Bethlehem-judah.
Ruth needed to know that what she was going to do was the will of Boaz. She did not want to act on her own desires. Boaz knew that and whispered to her at dawn the words she needed to hear to face a day of uncertainty. Her husband’s inheritance and family name would be placed on the auction block for someone else to lay claim to her heart. She needed to know that going home was his will.
Boaz’s whisper at dawn may not sound like a comfort at first reading. However, consider it closely. She needed to know she was doing the right thing; Boaz gave her clear indication that it was, and also gave her his guideline.
Have you ever spent the night wondering what might be the next day? Have you ever pondered whether or not your decisions were in God’s will? Our Eternal Boaz still whispers at dawn for those who listen. The Bible will whisper to the listening heart confirmations of His will when our nights are at the darkest.