She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”
Ruth comes home from the threshing floor with a promise and a load of barley, and Naomi's answer is one instruction: stop. That raises a fair question — how can waiting be right when nothing is settled yet?
A Change of Instruction
Naomi had not always told Ruth to wait. Earlier in the same chapter she gave her a list of things to do. Older translations render her word here as "sit still," and the writers quoted below use that wording.
J. G. BellettIn the earlier stage, while Ruth was still a suitor, she tells her to wash herself, to anoint herself, and to put her clothing on. Then she is to go down to the threshing floor, where Boaz would be. But as soon as Boaz has accepted her, then Naomi changes her voice, and tells her to sit still.
The Matter in Another's Hands
Naomi tells Ruth to be still because the work has passed to someone else.
G. F. VallanceBut notice that Boaz sees to all this; Ruth does nothing. All this shows complete confidence in Boaz and shows that everything is left to him in the way of "doing" or working. So in dealing with seeking souls we need to counsel them to place complete confidence in Christ. Absolute faith in Him and His word is the only way of true peace and rest.
Naomi's confidence has two parts: the character of the man, and the timing he set.
William J HockingNaomi's comment (v. 18) on this good news is full of faith and hope. She herself had complete confidence in the devoted and active kindness of Boaz. She was sure that what he had promised he would perform without delay — "this day," she said. Ruth, therefore, need not be anxious. Let her "sit still," or "be still." The matter was now entirely in the hands of Boaz, and the strength of the Lord was in him.
Rest Built on Another's Restlessness
The verse ties two kinds of rest together. Ruth can be still precisely because Boaz cannot be. Commentators read this as a picture of Christ, whose work had to be completed before anyone could rest on it.
W. T. P. WolstonMy rest depends on this: He will not rest until something is finished that enables Him to bless me perfectly. You have only to sit still and hear what Jesus says. Cast yourself simply on Him, and then you learn what rest really is. Boaz had something to do, but has Christ something to do? NO! But will He not do something? No! Has He done it, then? Yes, for we have heard those blessed words, the precious legacy of a dying Saviour, "IT IS FINISHED." "It is finished."
Why He Would Not Rest
Naomi states the fact but not the motive. Writers looking at the whole story find the motive in Boaz himself — and read it as the one reason behind Christ's work too.
H. L. RossierRuth returns to her mother-in-law richly loaded. She tells her not what she has done for Boaz, but "all that the man had done to her." Her heart is full of him, but she needs her mother-in-law's call to patience. She will not have long to wait, for he who has taken her cause in hand will not delay to make it succeed. "The man will not rest but will settle the matter today," says Naomi. Why? Because he loves her. This is the great and the unique reason for His work on our behalf.
Faith Not Disappointed
The next chapter tests Naomi's words.
J. G. BellettFaith had counted on this, that "the man will not rest but will settle the matter today" (Ruth 3:18), and so it came to pass. Boaz settles the whole affair. Ruth has only to "sit still," as Naomi had instructed her. Her Kinsman is faithful and her Redeemer is mighty.
A Love Still Not at Rest
One writer carries the phrase forward. If redemption is finished, there is still something love is waiting for.
Samuel RidoutWhat a glimpse these words give of the tireless love of our Lord both for His Church and for Israel. He did not rest till He had accomplished redemption, and now His love will not rest till all is completed. What force this gives to those words "the patience of Christ." How He longs to have His people with Himself.
Summary
- Stop working. Naomi's first instructions were all action. Once Boaz accepted Ruth, she told her to be still.
- Because He cannot stop. Ruth could rest because Boaz could not. Commentators see the same pattern in Christ, who said, "It is finished."
- Love is the engine. Boaz works on for one reason: he loves her. Commentators call that the one reason behind Christ's work too.
- Settled today. Boaz settles the whole affair, and he does it without delay — "this day," as Naomi said.
- One rest still pending. Redemption is complete, yet His love is not yet fully at rest — He is waiting to have His people with Him.