So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.”
(Ruth 3:6-9, NKJV)
Back to Ruth …
Tradition in this time was for women to be cared for by relatives. First their fathers. Then their husbands. And, if necessary, their sons. Naomi had none of the above, and since Ruth chose to leave her homeland to be with Naomi, the younger woman didn’t have anyone to support her either. They were able to make due, but it wasn’t under the care of a kinsman.
When Ruth followed Naomi’s instructions to uncover Boaz’s feet and lay down, she was adopting the custom of claiming Boaz as a close relative, one who would take them in and provide for them. He would be, in fact, a "kinsman redeemer."
If you read commentaries on the book of Ruth, you’ll see a parallel drawn between Boaz as kinsman redeemer and our Lord Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of all mankind. We too can come to the feet of Jesus and seek redemption.
Just as Ruth sought Boaz as protector and provider, we can seek our Lord. Just as she came in confidence, so can we. The difference? She was uncertain of the reception she might receive. We are assured that our Redeemer is waiting for us to seek Him He’ll never turn us away.
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