Sermon Tone Analysis

Scripture

Introduction

The kinsman-redeemer’s obligation to redeem the land (; )

The kinsman-redeemer’s obligation to provide an heir (; ; )

Naomi tells Ruth that that night Boaz will be winnowing barley at the threshing-floor.

In this process grain was separated from the husks by being trodden out by animals.

Then the mixture was thrown into the air against a stiff breeze, so that the wind blew the chaff away while the heavier grain fell more or less straight down.

Threshing-floors were usually situated in exposed positions, so that they could catch the breeze (it was the measure of Gideon’s fear and desperation that he chose to beat out his wheat in a winepress, a most unsuitable location, Judg.

6:11).

Naomi’s plan includes Ruth making the first move, but it has to be done tonight.

Perhaps Boaz did not do this in person every night, and this may be the force of Naomi’s tonight.

This would then be one of the nights when Boaz was on duty.

(There is time on the opportunity)

She looks for Boaz to take action simply because she is who she is.

She employs an expressive metaphor and asks him to spread his skirt over her.

It is used similarly for taking in marriage in Ezekiel 16:8.

Arthur E. Cundall and Leon Morris, Judges and Ruth: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 7, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1968), 277.