At one time, in a corner of a popular park in Shanghai, Chinese parents would gather to attempt matchmaking for their adult children. They would make homemade signs describing their child’s age, height, education, profession, and other personal details. The parents would read one another’s signs and strike up conversations if candidates looked promising.

Matchmaking sounds strange to us as Americans. The idea of a “guardian-redeemer” or “kinsman-redeemer” in the book of Ruth is likewise culturally unfamiliar. We’re actually not sure of the exact meaning of every action here. What we do know is that Ruth invited Boaz to exercise the rights of a guardian-redeemer, including marriage (v. 9).

Clothing plays an important role in this narrative. Ruth was instructed by Naomi to put on perfume and her best clothes (v. 3). At the threshing floor, she was to “uncover his feet” and lie down (vv. 4, 7). This expression might be a euphemism or a cultural custom. When Boaz woke up, Ruth then asked him to spread a corner of his garment over her (v. 9). Another version translates it  figuratively, “Spread your wings over your servant” (see Ruth 2:12). Again, we’re not sure of the details, but the main meaning is clear: She was requesting that he act as her guardian-redeemer. This was essentially a surprise (v. 8) marriage proposal. Another translation renders it more directly: “Marry your servant.”

Though some aspects of the story are uncertain, we do know that Naomi wanted to help provide a husband and home for Ruth. We also know that Ruth was a “woman of noble character” (v. 11). Therefore, the initiative she took, instead of “waiting for her Boaz,” was appropriate and godly in that context.

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