Ruth, at Naomi’s instruction, goes to the threshing floor to meet Boaz. She has washed, anointed herself with oil, and put on new clothes. All aspects that illustrate the future restoration of Israel. Then Boaz comes and lies down.
Ruth 3
6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did all that her mother-in-law instructed her.
7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was good, he lay down at the end of the grain heap. She came secretly and uncovered his feet and lay down.
8 And it happened at midnight that the man awoke. He felt around, and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
9 And he said, “Who are you?” And she said, “I am Ruth your servant.” Then spread thy covering over thine handmaid, for thou art a near kinsman.
The death and resurrection of Christ
What we find described here about Boaz speaks in type of the finished work of Christ (John 19:30). After a day of work, Boaz eats and drinks, and his heart is good. He will see the travail of his soul and be satisfied (Isaiah 53:11). The work is finished, and Boaz lies down to sleep. He is awakened in the middle of the night. This symbolizes the death and resurrection of Christ, as we have seen that the winnowing on the threshing floor also speaks of this.
Surrender
Ruth lies down at Boaz’s feet, depicting her submission to him. But also Israel’s participation in the death and resurrection of Christ.
The word “handmaid” is used for female slaves (Gen. 21:10; 30:3), and this too speaks of submission and surrender. Ruth recognizes Boaz as her redeemer and asks him to spread his wing over her. Earlier in 2:12 we saw that the Bible uses this imagery as an expression of protection by God (Ps.17:8; 36:7; 61:4; 91:4).
Israel’s Conversion
Ruth submitting to Boaz represents Israel recognizing her Messiah as Redeemer and, this time, allowing herself to be gathered under His wings (Matt. 23:37). The Lord will bring them into the land, and the new covenant will be established, as in chapter 4, when Boaz and Ruth were married.