by John O’Malley
“And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do” (Ruth 3:4).
Ruth listened as Naomi instructed her precisely as to what she should do. Naomi’s directives to Ruth detailed to her need for cleansing, consecration, concealing herself, and now coming to his presence to present her petition.
In this verse, we have meditated on three areas. First, we considered her entrance to the threshing floor. Then, we thought on her drawing near to him. Most recently, we pondered the uncovering of his feet. Now the last item of her instruction is very simple; all she is to do is to lie down at his feet.
Her lying down was not at his side, but, rather, at his feet. You may recall we considered earlier, when she uncovered his feet, that it was to prepare a place for her to lie down. A careful look would let you see a cross by the placement of her body to his body. Although Boaz sought rest that night from his labors, Ruth sought redemption for her life.
What better place than a cross to find rest and redemption? Ruth had been drawn by the grace of Boaz and had been driven to him from within by her love for him. Her placing herself at his feet reveals her implicit trust in him and her submission to his heart.
The completion of this deed reveals a beautiful portrait with many images to consider. The first image portrays her submission to the lordship of Boaz: whatever he chose she could accept. We would do well if we considered how well we are in submission to our Eternal Boaz’s lordship.
Another image in this portrait displays Ruth’s surrender to the love of Boaz. She trusted Boaz. She knew in his presence no harm nor ill could come to her from him or any outside force. His love for her and her love for him created a wonderful shelter from any adversity.
A third image in this portrait of the cross occurred at the threshing floor outside of Bethlehem-judah. It is of Ruth’s satisfaction in the liberty of Boaz. She came seeking redemption and would find satisfaction in his provision and promises. Her subjection to him did not enslave her to him, but rather gave her liberty she never knew.
Similarly, our Eternal Boaz, on the cross outside of Jerusalem, provided love, liberty, and lordship to those who in faith come to Him. The images of this portrait of His cross should never be far from our daily thinking and living. When last did you pause in the art gallery of His divine goodness and meditate on the portrait of the cross and the images it displays?