The story in Ruth builds to a climax. In chapter 1, after all the sorrow and misery that had befallen the family, a hopeful announcement followed about the beginning of the barley harvest. In chapter 2, Ruth comes to work in Boaz’s field. In the following chapter 3, a special meeting between Ruth and Boaz takes place on the threshing floor. And in chapter 4, Boaz acts as a kinsman redeemer, and the marriage between Boaz and Ruth takes place. Together, these events reveal various aspects of Israel’s redemption.
Ruth 3
1 And Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, “Daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may go well with you?”
2 Now, isn’t Boaz our relative, with whose laborers you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight on his threshing floor.
3 Bathe yourself, anoint yourself with oil, and put on your garments, and go down to the threshing floor. But do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.
4 If he lies down, and you know the place where he lies, go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what you shall do.
5 She said to her, “All that you say to me I will do.”
Strange
This is a remarkable passage. Naomi appears to know that Boaz is winnowing barley on the threshing floor that night, and she gives Ruth some remarkable instructions. We don’t read how Naomi knew this, nor why she gives such, at first glance, rather remarkable instructions.
Manoah
Naomi says she seeks rest for Ruth. The Hebrew word used here is Manoah—the same name as Samson’s father (Judg. 13:9). In the Tanakh, we find many passages that speak of a people of Israel who, in the future, will dwell in peace and trust in the land under the leadership and protection of the Messiah (Jer. 33:16; Ezek. 38:11; Zech. 14:11).
Entering into Rest
We also find the word Manoah in Psalm 95:11. The passage where we find it is cited in Hebrews 3:7-11. It concerns the people of Israel in the wilderness, whom God abhorred because they sinned (Heb. 3:17), were disobedient (Heb. 3:18), and therefore: because of their unbelief (Heb. 3:19). Therefore, they were not allowed to enter the promised land and wandered in the wilderness for forty years. And to whom does He swear that they will not enter His rest but to those who were disobedient (Heb. 3:18)?
Remnant
Only two of those led out of Egypt actually entered the Promised Land: Joshua and Caleb. The rest perished in the wilderness. Just as Naomi and her family were abroad due to famine, and most of the family perished there, so now Naomi and Ruth, representing the remnant of Israel, are back in the land and will meet their redeemer on the threshing floor. He will bring them into rest.