Beautiful Feet
Seems like an oxymoron, doesn't it?
This is the twelfth reflection on this little four-chapter story, The Book of Ruth, and we have finally arrived at Chapter Three. I’ve selected just a few interesting verses for our consideration today.
[Naomi tells Ruth] “But when [Boaz] lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.”
Ruth 3:4 (ESV)
And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!
Ruth 3:7-8 (ESV)
So, what is this thing about Boaz’s feet? (Later we will look at sandals).
To address this question, let’s consider another question about ourselves.
Question: How did we get here? How did you get to where you are right now? It has been quite a journey, has it not? And it has involved a lot of moving, and a good bit of walking, if you have functioning feet. If your feet don’t work, it has been even more challenging.
Answer: Of course the long answer to my question is the story of your life. The short answer is, at least for today, you have Beautiful Feet.
When my daughters were small and still able to be carried, they would become tired and want to take the rest of the walk in my arms. Sometimes, I accommodated them, but often I would tell them, “You have miracle legs.” Of course they didn’t like that answer at the time, but years later, because they were encouraged to use their agency, make decisions (at their level of intellectual development at the time) they grew stronger. This is how we all gain confidence that we have what it takes to take on life. This, of course, can be overblown, and we can decide to do stupid stuff, but eventually we hopefully learn to settle in and walk alongside God relying on his strength and wisdom, but also being his hands and, wait for it . . . feet.
Recall that Naomi has advised Ruth on a plan to restore them both, but again Naomi’s primary focus is for Ruth’s welfare. That, I think, is what makes this story so beautiful. All the characters in it are wishing the best for others over themselves. They are into secondary blessings – the more-blessed-to-give-than-receive kind, where there is an indescribable joy being able to see others get what they both need and desire.
Because Boaz is what is known as a kinsman redeemer (we will get into this later) he qualifies as someone who can restore Naomi’s departed husband, Elimelech’s birthright. Should he do this, he will have to marry Elimelech’s son, Mahlon’s widow, the Moabite Ruth (Naomi would also qualify to be married in a sense, but she is no longer of childbearing age). In a nutshell, he will purchase the birthright, which is the land, marry Ruth, and then provide through Ruth, a son (or daughter) who will then be able to carry the inheritance into the next generation. In essence he will move Naomi and Ruth out of their destitute existence and back into their inheritance and full acceptance by the community of Bethlehem.
With all this now in mind, let’s go back to Boaz’s feet. He is asleep after a long celebratory day following a successful harvest lying outside on the threshing floor at “the end of the heap of grain.” Others are out there as well all snoring away in their own selected places for the night. Ruth finds Boaz and uncovers his feet and then lies down and waits. At midnight, Boaz’s feet become cold so he awakens and goes to cover his feet again. As he does this, he sees someone at the foot of his feet (I couldn’t resist that last line). Surprisingly, he sees it is a woman. “Who are you?’ he asks, and she tells him. She then says, “Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”
The word for “wings” can also mean the corner of a garment. The garment he likely was reaching down to re-cover his feet with.
Flashback: Boaz had blessed Ruth earlier with this pronouncement.
The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”
Ruth 2:12 (ESV)
So, what about the beautiful feet?
Uncovering his feet is calling out to Boaz and requesting he get up and move on their behalf. He had the choice to cover them back up and go back to sleep.
Beautiful feet move to do good things in peoples lives. They represent purposeful actions that follow a strong important decision. We need people who act and do important tasks just as much as we need those who think, write, speak, and pray.
One other interesting side note having to do with being under God’s wings.
Do you remember the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’s garment? (Luke 8:43-48) She had been bleeding for twelve years. This was as shameful in that society as leprosy. She was unclean and whatever she touched would also be unclean. This is why she snuck up on Jesus in a crowd and only touched the hem, or the wing, of his garment. This caused Jesus to abruptly stop and declare that power had gone out of him. Once the poor woman came forward admitting what she had done, no doubt expecting the worse, similar to the shame experienced over the past twelve years, Jesus looks at her and speaks incredibly kind AND LOUD words (so the crowd could hear). He calls her “Daughter,” and then says “Your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
Ruth needed Boaz just as this woman needed Jesus. It is a deep cry for help. If we do not see this, and so think that Ruth is offering her body to Boaz in some sort of sleazy transactional way, we have missed the boat.
Finally, whether you are male or female, you need exactly what these two women understood they needed. Fortunately for all of us, God has beautiful feet.
Beautiful and inspiring story and message