Words can be cheap, meaning that it’s easy to say things without ever meaning to fulfill them or striving to fulfill them. God insists that our words be as sure as His own. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and you ‘No,’ ‘No,’ lest you fall into judgment (Jas 5:12; Mt 5:37).
At the end of Ruth 2, Ruth returned home to Naomi with a hopeful heart of what the two widows might experience in the future. At the end of chapter 3 she returns home again, but this time with a promise and a guarantee. I am your near kinsman, I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! (Ruth 3:12, 13).

I. Protected (Ruth 3:14). Ruth spent the night at Boaz’s feet. First, it was night and could have been unsafe for her to travel alone in the dark, but it also gave the two time to talk. Though the people of Bethlehem knew Ruth was a woman of virtue and integrity (Ruth 3:11), Boaz worked to protect her reputation. Character is who you are; your reputation is what others say you are. Character is obvious to all, but your reputation is often the first glimpse others get of you, and once it is smeared, it may never be revived.

II. Provided (Ruth 3:15-17). Boaz took Ruth’s shawl, a large, strong outer garment, and placed six ephahs of barley in it (about 80 pounds, 240 cups, 36 kg). Ruth was not only a woman strong in faith and character, but in body! This overwhelming blessing was a pledge or guarantee that Boaz would keep the promise he’d made to Ruth. Ruth had a verbal promise (Ruth 3:16), and Naomi had physical evidence of the promise (Ruth 3:17).
Scripture says Ephesians 1:3 says that in Christ, God the Father has already given His children every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph 1:3). Paul goes on to list some of those spiritual blessings (Eph 1:4-14), including being sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Eph 1:13). The Spirit’s indwelling presence is God’s guarantee He’ll complete His work of salvation for all of eternity (Eph 1:14).

III. Guided (Ruth 3:18). At the beginning of the Book of Ruth, Naomi considered her life empty and laid the blame on God (Ruth 1:21). Now she couldn’t deny that God was guiding her life and she held the promise of being full; her hands were filled, but what of her heart?
God promised to make Abraham a great nation, give him a great name, and men’s blessings (Gen 12:2-3). The land of Canaan would be his as far as his eyes could see and his feet walk (Gen 13:14-17). His descendants would be as innumerable as the stars in the sky and sand on the beach (Gen 15:5; 22:17). He would receive an everlasting covenant (Gen 17:7), nations and kings as descendants (Gen 17:6), righteousness (Gen 15:6), but best of all, God promised I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward (Gen 15:1). The wonder is God giving us Himself (Rev 21:2-7).
Both women had to patiently wait as the redeemer did his work. They could rest because they believed him and his word. And so we wait through faith and patience our full redemption promised by God (Heb 6:12; 10:36).
Following Boaz, pressing Boaz, or worrying wouldn’t speed the process. Impatience would have only motivated Ruth and Naomi to try and “help” God like Abraham and Sarah (Gen 16:1-16;21:8-14). Our help doesn’t frustrate or hinder God’s plan, but it does complicate our lives!
Boaz’s unrest fulfilling his work was why Naomi and Ruth could rest, the promise of which begins and ends the chapter (Ruth 3:1, 18). Boaz’s work was the soft pillow upon which they rested their hope. So a Christian’s hope of eternal salvation also finds rest in the finished work of Christ Jesus (Jn 17:4; 19:30).