Question: In Ruth 3:1-5, it seems like Naomi's plan is dangerous at best, but also manipulative, as it looks like she is urging Ruth to use her sexuality to "capture" Boaz.  What is going on?

Response: I think that the right way to understand this is in terms of call.  So, let me walk you through some general guidelines in discerning call and perhaps this will help you discern what both Naomi and Ruth were thinking and why.

1.  Do the Scriptures prohibit it?  No, in fact they actually commend it.

Deuteronomy 25:5 "If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband's brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her. ⁶ And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel. ⁷ And if the man does not wish to take his brother's wife, then his brother's wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, 'My husband's brother refuses to perpetuate his brother's name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband's brother to me.' ⁸ Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him, and if he persists, saying, 'I do not wish to take her,' ⁹ then his brother's wife shall go up to him in the presence of the elders and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face. And she shall answer and say, 'So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother's house.' ¹⁰ And the name of his house shall be called in Israel, 'The house of him who had his sandal pulled off.

The entire premise of Naomi's plan is this:  Boaz is a kinsman-redeemer.  According to the Law, Naomi has every right to invoke the Law to acquire a suitable husband for Ruth.

2.  Can she do it in good conscience?  Yes.

According to Ruth 3:3, Naomi instructs Ruth: "Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak."  In Hebrew, the almost exact same language is used of David when he ends his mourning for his first born son by Bathsheba.  I think that commentators are correct in that these actions are less about Ruth making herself desirable, and more about announcing that her time of mourning is at an end.  In other words, the reason that Naomi and Ruth had not earlier sued for a husband under the Law is simply that they were still in their mourning and were not ready to do it.  So, now Ruth is ready for remarriage and her time of mourning is at an end.  In other words, she can now remarry in good conscience.

3.  How does this relate to God's covenants?  It deeply relates to the Marriage and Sinai covenants.

a. Under the Marriage Covenant, both Boaz and Ruth understand that sex outside of marriage is wrong.  Although Ruth 3 is charged with sexual innuendos, it's clear that Boaz does not violate the covenant but rather will now seek to enter into it.  This is of course "dangerous" but Naomi has taken a calculated risk that Boaz is truly a man of God, not based on his mere words but in his actions.  It is also clear, that Ruth is suing for marriage.  In other words, her marriage proposal is absolutely unmistakable.  Boaz doesn't reject it nor her, but will now work diligently to respond to it and her. 

Ok, you may say, but still it seems really dangerous.  It is, but think about it like this:  Naomi's life was essentially destroyed because she married a man that seemed like a believer, but wasn't.  Naomi and Ruth are going to quickly find out whether or not Boaz is a genuine believer.  If he is, he will do what is right.  If he isn't, he will succumb to temptation and do wrong.  In other words, this is very much a test.  And, as it was then, it is today.  God is constantly testing us to see if we will obey Him or not, both individually as well as the Church collectively.  From time to time, we fail, but God is still faithful.  In this case, because of God's faithfulness, both Boaz and Ruth are able to endure the test.  I could speak about this much more within the text of the Book of Ruth, but needless to say, it is a test and like all tests, there is the possibility of failure, but Naomi can do it in good conscience because it is a marriage proposal under the guidelines of God's law.

b.  Under the Sinai Covenant, Boaz quickly realizes that someone else is before him, although now it is clear that he desires Ruth.  He diligently works to satisfy the requirements of the Law, yet in grace, going far beyond its requirements.  Boaz and Ruth are obedient to God's Law, despite whatever the outcome may be.  In so doing, they honor God and His covenants.

4.  What group of people are they to minister to?  In short, Ruth and Boaz are called to minister to one another, as well as Naomi.  Through them, God will ultimately minister to all His people through Jesus Christ.

5.  Has God equipped them with the necessary spiritual gifts?  Yes! 

It is remarkable that the word "love" doesn't show up in the book of Ruth at all.  However, what does show up are the expressions of the spiritual gift of love:  forgiveness, acceptance, care, encouragement, support, and submission.  So, take notice that both Ruth and Boaz demonstrate love in action to one another, the dead, Naomi, and others.  But most importantly, they show their love of God in their firm obedience to His commandments, under His covenants.

6.  What does the Church have to say?  The Church approves in this case, overwhelmingly. 

Where 2-3 are gathered in His name, Christ is with them.  Ruth and Naomi think that the marriage is a good idea and within God's will according to the commandments.  Boaz does too, and eventually so do all the elders of their town.

7.  How will God shape their character?  God shapes Ruth and Naomi through out the book.  Ruth and Naomi go from being idolators living in disobedience to becoming children of God redeemed through the Seed of Ruth and now living under obedience to God's commandments. 

In Christ, Marty