3:1 From the beginning, Naomi has loved Ruth as her own daughter. Naomi takes is upon herself to ensure Ruth's well-being and begins to plan a union between her relative, Boaz and Ruth.
3:2 As the kinsman redeemer, a custom at the time which encouraged men to take responsibility for the orphaned and widowed in the family, Boaz was a likely option for Ruth.
3:3 Naomi suggests that Ruth make known to Boaz her willingness to remarry. This union is not formed out of nothing and it is not based on the custom of kinsman redeemer. Ruth and Boaz have mutual respect and compassion for each other; although their relationship has not been romantic thus far, their friendship is deep, making the prospect of marriage blessed.
3:4 Naomi explains the social custom to Ruth: she is to uncover the feet of Boaz as he sleeps. This gesture, rather than romantic, is a custom done by anyone who wishes to express submission. Marriage is a union between two people who choose to submit to each other; Ruth's action will profess that she would be a faithful and loving wife.
3:5-7 Ruth agrees to Naomi's suggestion and follows her advice exactly.
3:8-9 Boaz awakens to a woman at his feet and Ruth identifies herself.
3:10 Boaz responds to Ruth with compassion and admiration. Although she, a young woman, could have chased after another men, she remained faithful to Boaz. Even as a friend, she loved him enough to not marry anyone else. Boaz points out that Ruth could have pursued another man but Ruth remained focused on God. She trusted God to provide for her and did not desperately or hastily remarry in search for security or satisfaction. Ruth was not tempted by lust or admiration of the young men she was continually around.
3:11-13 Ruth's reputation as a virtuous woman grows. Boaz explains to Ruth that he is not, however, her closest relative and offers to settle the matter. Boaz promises God and Ruth that he will marry her if her closest kinsmen redeemer does not. Boaz would only be able to marry Ruth if the other redeemer stepped down.
3:14-15 In effort not to allow gossip, Ruth and Boaz take precautions to keep the situation private. Generous as always, Boaz sends Ruth home with barley. He genuinely cares about her, and wants her to have provision.
3:16-18 Ruth returns to Naomi with the barley and explains that it is a gift from Boaz; he did not want Ruth to have to return empty-handed and likely, Boaz was thankful for Naomi's blessed offer of Ruth to him in marriage. But remember that Boaz was generous even when Naomi and Ruth had nothing to offer him.
Naomi seems to know that Boaz loves Ruth; she trusts that he will not rest until he has settled the matter.
