Ruth Sacrificed

Without any second thought or questioning, Ruth obeys her mother-in-law instantaneously.

Not thinking of herself, but what is best by all means in accomplishing what must be done.

In the final chapter the outcome will be realized.

“Naomi’s Plan”

… “You are blessed of Hashem, … in that you have not gone after the younger men, be they poor or rich.
:10
… for all the men in the gate of my people know that you are a worthy woman.
:11
… then [I swear that] as Hashem lives, I will redeem you! …
:13
… “He gave me these six measures of barley for he said to me, ‘Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.”
:17

1 And Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it be good for you?
2 And now, is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold, he is winnowing the threshing-floor of the barley tonight.
3 And you shall bathe and anoint yourself and put on your clothes and go down to the threshing-floor; do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.
4 And it shall be when he lies down, that you shall know where he will lie, and you shall come and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what you shall do. “
5 And she said to her, “All that you say to me I will do.”
6 And she went down to the threshing-floor, and she did all that her mother-in-law had charged her.
7 And Boaz ate and drank, and his heart was merry, and he went to lie at the edge of the stack, and she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down.
8 And it came to pass at midnight, and the man quaked and was taken around, and behold a woman was lying at his feet.
9 And he said, “Who are you? ” And she said, “I am Ruth, your handmaid, and you shall spread your skirt over your handmaid, for you are a near kinsman.”
10 And he said, “May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter; your latest act of kindness is greater than the first, not to follow the young men, whether poor or rich.
11 And now, my daughter, do not fear, all that you say I will do for you, for the entire gate of my people know that you are a valiant woman.
12 And now, indeed, I am a near kinsman, but there is a kinsman closer than I.
13 Stay over tonight, and it will come to pass in the morning, that if he redeem you, well, let him redeem you, but if he does not wish to redeem you, I will redeem you, as the Lord lives; lie down until morning.”
14 And she lay at his feet until morning, and she rose before one could recognize his fellow, for he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing-floor.”
15 And he said, “Ready the shawl you are wearing and hold it,” and she held it, and he measured out six barleys and placed [them] upon her, and he came to the city.
16 And she came to her mother-in-law, and she said, “Who are you, my daughter?” And she told her all that the man had done to her.
17 And she said, “He gave me these six barleys, for he said to me: Do not come empty-handed to your mother-in-law.”
18 And she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will fall, for the man will not rest until he has resolved the matter today.”