Naomi understood that Boaz had taken up the cause of Ruth and her family and would certainly bring it to completion.
The six measures of barley were neither payment nor a random gift, but an eloquent sign of care, responsibility, and near redemption.
Ruth returned from Boaz not empty-handed. Her mother-in-law immediately asked: "Who are you, my daughter?" This question likely concerns not only the events of the night, but also what her status would be: would she remain a widow, or would she have protection and a future? Hearing Ruth's account and seeing the barley, Naomi understood Boaz's intention. He had not merely shown kindness; he had begun to act as a possible kinsman-redeemer.
"And she said, 'These six measures of barley he gave me; for he said to me, Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.'" Ruth 3:17
The gift was a message specifically for Naomi
Boaz intentionally told Ruth not to come to her mother-in-law empty-handed. This is an important detail. The whole matter of Elimelech’s land, the preservation of the family name, and the future of the widow was closely connected with Naomi. Ruth was a young widow from Moab, but Naomi carried the pain of losing her husband, sons, property, and security.
At the beginning of the book, Naomi called herself emptied. She returned to Bethlehem feeling that the Lord had taken everything from her. Now through Ruth she receives bread—a visible sign that her emptiness would not have the final word.
“I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” Ruth 1:21
Barley did not resolve all the legal issues, but it testified: Boaz sees Naomi, has not forgotten her need, and does not treat Ruth as a woman without family. His gift said, “I take your shared destiny into account.” For Naomi this was a sign that God’s mercy was already at work through a real person.
Naomi recognized Boaz’s character
The main thing Naomi understood was this man’s character. She already knew that Boaz was a worthy, wealthy, and God-fearing man. Now she became convinced that he would not stop at kind words. Boaz would act honestly, publicly, and without delay.
That is why Naomi does not make a new plan and does not send Ruth again to persuade Boaz. She advises her to wait. Her confidence is based not on a superstitious interpretation of the number six, but on Boaz’s evident action and on his words.
“Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.” Ruth 3:18
So Naomi understood: Boaz had already made an inner choice in Ruth’s favor, though he still had to settle the matter lawfully with the closer relative. He did not promise carelessly. He wanted to do everything rightly before God, the community, and the law.
Six measures: not secret symbolism, but real care
The biblical text does not explain why Boaz gave exactly six measures of barley. Nor does it specify the exact amount of a measure. Therefore, one should not build doctrine on the number six or consider it a required symbol of six days of labor before Sabbath rest. Such an idea may sound beautiful, but it is not the passage’s direct explanation.
Instead, the meaning of the gift is clear: Ruth was not to return to Naomi without visible evidence of Boaz’s goodwill. The barley was food for the two widows, a sign of honor for Ruth, and reassurance for Naomi that the matter had not been forgotten. God often strengthens faith not only through great events, but also through daily bread, timely help, and people who take responsibility.
The redemption was completed lawfully
The next chapter confirms the correctness of Naomi’s conclusion. Boaz went to the city gate—the place of public legal decisions. He did not bypass the closer relative and did not seek a secret path convenient for himself. After the closer relative refused, Boaz took upon himself the duty of redeemer.
“Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, ‘You are witnesses this day that I have bought from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech, and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon.’” Ruth 4:9
In this, Boaz is a beautiful, though imperfect, type of Jesus Christ. Christ does not merely sympathize with the sinner from afar: He became our Kinsman through the incarnation, paid the price of redemption, and brings His salvation to completion. Ellen G. White emphasized that God’s providential hand was at work even in the ordinary circumstances of Ruth and Naomi’s lives, leading them to restoration and including Ruth in the lineage of the Messiah.
Conclusion and practical application
Naomi understood not a hidden riddle of six measures, but the clear language of love and responsibility: Boaz cares for Ruth, remembers Naomi, and will not rest until he lawfully completes the matter of redemption. The gift of barley became a transition from her former “emptiness” to hope in the fullness of God’s grace.
When we do not yet see the final resolution of our problems, it is worth noticing God’s “measures of barley”—concrete proofs of His daily care. In practical terms, this means: pray, do not give in to panic, do what is right in your part of the matter, and patiently trust the Lord to finish what He has already begun.
