Judges 3
Ruth 3 begins with Naomi preparing a new turning point in life for her daughter-in-law, Ruth. Naomi instructs Ruth to go find Boaz, lie down beside him, and let him know that she is his “redeemer’s relative” who should be protected. In this process, Ruth and Boaz quietly talk at night, and Boaz praises Ruth for her purity and righteousness. After that, Boaz gives Ruth the protection and gifts she needs and promises to resolve the matter through proper procedures. This scene shows that Ruth and Boaz are revealing their faithfulness and sense of responsibility at a very important moment.
1verseNow these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel by them, even as many as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
2verseonly that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at least those who knew nothing of it before:
3versethe five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal Hermon to the entrance of Hamath.
4verseThey were left to test Israel by them, to know whether they would listen to the LORD’s commandments, which he commanded their fathers by Moses.
5verseThe children of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
6verseThey took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons and served their gods.
7verseThe children of Israel did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, and forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth.
8verseTherefore the LORD’s anger burned against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the children of Israel served Cushan Rishathaim eight years.
9verseWhen the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a savior to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.
10verseThe LORD’s Spirit came on him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and the LORD delivered Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. His hand prevailed against Cushan Rishathaim.
11verseThe land had rest forty years, then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
12verseThe children of Israel again did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done that which was evil in the LORD’s sight.
13verseHe gathered the children of Ammon and Amalek to himself; and he went and struck Israel, and they possessed the city of palm trees.
14verseThe children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
15verseBut when the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a savior for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. The children of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab.
16verseEhud made himself a sword which had two edges, a cubit in length; and he wore it under his clothing on his right thigh.
17verseHe offered the tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Now Eglon was a very fat man.
18verseWhen Ehud had finished offering the tribute, he sent away the people who carried the tribute.
19verseBut he himself turned back from the stone idols that were by Gilgal, and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” The king said, “Keep silence!” All who stood by him left him.
20verseEhud came to him; and he was sitting by himself alone in the cool upper room. Ehud said, “I have a message from God to you.” He arose out of his seat.
21verseEhud put out his left hand, and took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his body.
22verseThe handle also went in after the blade; and the fat closed on the blade, for he didn’t draw the sword out of his body; and it came out behind.
23verseThen Ehud went out onto the porch, and shut the doors of the upper room on him, and locked them.
24verseAfter he had gone, his servants came and saw that the doors of the upper room were locked. They said, “Surely he is covering his feet in the upper room.”
25verseThey waited until they were ashamed; and behold, he didn’t open the doors of the upper room. Therefore they took the key and opened them, and behold, their lord had fallen down dead on the floor.
26verseEhud escaped while they waited, passed beyond the stone idols, and escaped to Seirah.
27verseWhen he had come, he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim; and the children of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he led them.
28verseHe said to them, “Follow me; for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” They followed him, and took the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites, and didn’t allow any man to pass over.
29verseThey struck at that time about ten thousand men of Moab, every strong man and every man of valor. No man escaped.
30verseSo Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. Then the land had rest eighty years.
31verseAfter him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad. He also saved Israel.
The Roles and Interactions of the Characters
The main characters in this chapter are Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. Naomi helps Ruth’s future actively as a wise advisor. Ruth accepts Naomi’s proposal with obedience and trust, showing that she believes in God’s guidance. Boaz fulfills his role as the redeemer’s relative with a responsible and sincere attitude. All three characters faithfully carry out their parts in their respective places, and mutual trust and a sense of responsibility form an important flow of this chapter.
The Overall Meaning of the Passage
Ruth 3 shows how love and commitment toward one another, as well as responsibility and trust, can open the door to new hope even in despair. With a humble heart, faithful actions, and awareness of communal responsibility through the redeemer’s relative system, it becomes something to reflect on how God’s providence works through daily life and relationships. More than the drama of the events themselves, the character, attitudes, and choices of each person come to feel even more meaningful.
Meditation Points
- Obedience and Trust: Reflect on Ruth’s obedience in following Naomi’s words, and Boaz’s trust that respects God’s law and the community order.
- Communal Responsibility: Like the concept of the redeemer’s relative, you can turn this into an opportunity to think about what responsibility you have to care for your neighbors and community.
- God’s Providence: You can observe how God’s guidance is revealed in our everyday choices and actions.
Applying It to Me
- Check whether I am fulfilling my responsibilities faithfully in the role I’ve been given, or whether I’m having a good influence on someone else.
- Take a moment to cultivate a heart to look out for neighbors who feel excluded within the community or for people who need help.
- Even in small everyday life, decide to seek God’s will and practice trusting Him during this week.
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