“The Threshing Floor”

 “And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.” (Ruth 3:2)

Threshing is a key step in the harvest of barley and wheat. The Reapers cut the barley in the field and then tie it into sheaves. The barley is then taken to the threshing floor. Threshing is beating the sheaves of barley until the grains fall off and gather on the floor. Threshing is faster than picking the grain off of each stalk. There is as much work in threshing as their is in reaping.

Naomi instructs Ruth on what she should to. Naomi tells her to go to the threshing floor but not to let Boaz see her. After Boaz has finished eating and drinking go find where he is sleeping, then uncover his feet and lay down by him. Boaz will tell you what you should do.

Ruth does as she is told and after Boaz had finished eating and drinking she uncovers his feet and lies down by his feet.

Along about midnight Boaz felt something in the place he was sleeping on the threshing floor. He turns to look and finds a woman sleeping at his feet.

And Boaz said, ” 9And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

10And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

11And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

12And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

13Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.

14And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.

15Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.” (Ruth 3:9-15)

Ruth returns to Naomi.

“16And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.

17And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

18Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.” (Ruth 3:16-18)

Stay Tuned…