Ruth's Intent

[Amanda]

By going to Boaz on the threshing floor, Ruth is asking him to fulfill
the role of kinsman redeemer and marry her. Beyond that she is also
asking for his protection and possibly his guidance in following the
Lord's commands. As mentioned in the passage from Numbers, the
tassels on the corners of the garments were to act as reminders to the
Israelites to obey the commands of the Lord and not be lead astray by
their hearts and eyes. So not only was being covered with the corner
of a garment a symbol of marriage and protection, it might also have
served as a reminder to obey God's commands since one would be covered
with the tassel as well.

Something else that stuck out to me regarding Ruth going to Boaz, was
that she seemed only to do it because Naomi wished her to. In verse 5
Ruth says, "I will do whatever you say." She doesn't say "that sounds
like a great idea" or "I was just thinking the same thing" or anything
that really indicates to me that Ruth had any interest in Boaz outside
of gathering his grain. Boaz had been kind to Ruth, but I get the
idea she didn't see it as anything more than kindness. This may be
why Naomi took the initiative here in the first place. Naomi had
always hoped for Ruth to remarry and have a family of her own (1:9),
but now Naomi does not see Ruth doing anything to reach that goal. I
think Naomi feels that Ruth needs a little prodding in this area.