We find in this book excellent examples of faith, piety, patience, humility, industry, and loving-kindness, in the common events of life. Also we see the special care which God's providence take of our smallest concerns, encouraging us to full trust therein. We may view this book as a beautiful, because natural representation of human life; as a curious detail of important facts; and as a part of the plan of redemption.
Elimelech and his sons die in the land of Moab. (1-5) Naomi returns home. (6-14) Orpah stays behind, but Ruth goes with Naomi. (15-18) They come to Bethlehem. (19-22)
@Verses 1-5 Elimelech's care to provide for his family, was not to be blamed; but his removal into the country of Moab could not be justified. And the removal ended in the wasting of his family. It is folly to think of escaping that cross, which, being laid in our way, we ought to take up. Changing our place seldom is mending it. Those who bring young people into bad acquaintance, and take them out of the way of public ordinances, thought they may think them well-principled, and armed against temptation, know not what will be the end. It does not appear that the women the sons of Elimelech married, were proselyted to the Jewish religion. Earthly trials or enjoyments are of short continuance. Death continually removes those of every age and situation, and mars all our outward comforts: we cannot too strongly prefer those advantages which shall last for ever.
@Verses 6-14 Naomi began to think of returning, after the death of her two sons. When death comes into a family, it ought to reform what is amiss there. Earth is made bitter to us, that heaven may be made dear. Naomi seems to have been a person of faith and piety. She dismissed her daughters-in-law with prayer. It is very proper for friends, when they part, to part with them thus part in love. Did Naomi do well, to discourage her daughters from going with her, when she might save them from the idolatry of Moab, and bring them to the faith and worship of the God of Israel? Naomi, no doubt, desired to do that; but if they went with her, she would not have them to go upon her account. Those that take upon them a profession of religion only to oblige their friends, or for the sake of company, will be converts of small value. If they did come with her, she would have them make it their deliberate choice, and sit down first and count the cost, as it concerns those to do who make a profession of religion. And more desire "rest in the house of a husband," or some wordly settlement or earthly satisfaction, than the rest to which Christ invites our souls; therefore when tried they will depart from Christ, though perhaps with some sorrow.
@Verses 15-18 See Ruth's resolution, and her good affection to Naomi. Orpah was loth to part from her; yet she did not love her well enough to leave Moab for her sake. Thus, many have a value and affection for Christ, yet come short of salvation by him, because they will not forsake other things for him. They love him, yet leave him, because they do not love him enough, but love other things better. Ruth is an example of the grace of God, inclining the soul to choose the better part. Naomi could desire no more than the solemn declaration Ruth made. See the power of resolution; it silences temptation. Those that go in religious ways without a stedfast mind, stand like a door half open, which invites a thief; but resolution shuts and bolts the door, resists the devil and forces him to flee.
@Verses 19-22
Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem. Afflictions will make
great and surprising changes in a little time. May God, by his
grace, fit us for all such changes, especially the great
change!, Naomi signifies "pleasant," or "amiable;" Mara,
"bitter," or "bitterness." She was now a woman of a sorrowful
spirit. She had come home empty, poor, a widow and childless.
But there is a fulness for believers of which they never can be
emptied; a good part which shall not be taken from those who
have it. The cup of affliction is a "bitter" cup, but she owns
that the affliction came from God. It well becomes us to have
our hearts humbled under humbling providences. It is not
affliction itself, but affliction rightly borne, that does us
good.
Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz. (1-3) The kindness of Boaz
to Ruth. (4-16) Ruth returns to her mother-in-law. (17-23)
@Verses 1-3
Observe Ruth's humility. When Providence had made her poor,
she cheerfully stoops to her lot. High spirits will rather
starve than stoop; not so Ruth. Nay, it is her own proposal. She
speaks humbly in her expectation of leave to glean. We may not
demand kindness as a debt, but ask, and take it as a favour,
though in a small matter. Ruth also was an example of industry.
She loved not to eat the bread of idleness. This is an example
to young people. Diligence promises well, both for this world
and the other. We must not be shy of any honest employment. No
labour is a reproach. Sin is a thing below us, but we must not
think any thing else so, to which Providence call us. She was an
example of regard to her mother, and of trust in Providence. God
wisely orders what seem to us small events; and those that
appear altogether uncertain, still are directed to serve his own
glory, and the good of his people.
@Verses 4-16
The pious and kind language between Boaz and his reapers
shows that there were godly persons in Israel. Such language as
this is seldom heard in our field; too often, on the contrary,
what is immoral and corrupt. A stranger would form a very
different opinion of our land, from that which Ruth would form
of Israel from the converse and conduct of Boaz and his reapers.
But true religion will teach a man to behave aright in all
states and conditions; it will form kind masters and faithful
servants, and cause harmony in families. True religion will
cause mutual love and kindness among persons of different ranks.
It had these effects on Boaz and his men. When he came to them
he prayed for them. They did not, as soon as he was out of
hearing curse him, as some ill-natured servants that hate their
master's eye, but they returned his courtesy. Things are likely
to go on well where there is such good-will as this between
masters and servants. They expressed their kindness to each
other by praying one for another. Boaz inquired concerning the
stranger he saw, and ordered her to be well treated. Masters
must take care, not only that they do no hurt themselves, but
that they suffer not their servants and those under them to do
wrong. Ruth humbly owned herself unworthy of favours, seeing she
was born and brought up a heathen. It well becomes us all to
think humbly of ourselves, esteeming others better than
ourselves. And let us, in the kindness of Boaz to Ruth, note the
kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ to poor sinners.
@Verses 17-23
It encourages industry, that in all labour, even that of
gleaning, there is profit. Ruth was pleased with what she gained
by her own industry, and was careful to secure it. Let us thus
take care that we lose not those things which we have wrought,
@2 john
should examine their children, as Naomi did, not to frighten or
discourage them, so as to make them hate home, or tempt them to
tell a lie; but to commend them if they have done well, and with
mildness to reprove and caution them if they have done
otherwise. It is a good question for us to ask ourselves every
night, Where have I gleaned to-day? What improvement have I made
in knowledge and grace? What have I done that will turn to a
good account? When the Lord deals bountifully with us, let us
not be found in any other field, nor seeking for happiness and
satisfaction in the creature. We lose Divine favours, if we
slight them. Ruth dutifully observed her mother's directions.
And when the harvest was ended, she kept her aged mother company
at home. Dinah went out to see the daughters of the land; her
vanity ended in disgrace,
@genesis 34
. Ruth kept at home, and helped
to maintain her mother, and went out on no other errand than to
get provision for her; her humility and industry ended in
preferment.
The directions given to Ruth by Naomi. (1-5) Boaz acknowledges
the duty of a kinsman. (6-13) Ruth's return to her
mother-in-law. (14-18)
@Verses 1-5
The married state should be a rest, as much as any thing
upon earth can be so, as it ought to fix the affections and form
a connexion for life. Therefore it should be engaged in with
great seriousness, with earnest prayers for direction, for the
blessing of God, and with regard to his precepts. Parents should
carefully advise their children in this important concern, that
it may be well with them as to their souls. Be it always
remembered, That is best for us which is best for our souls. The
course Naomi advised appears strange to us; but it was according
to the laws and usages of Israel. If the proposed measure had
borne the appearance of evil, Naomi would not have advised it.
Law and custom gave Ruth, who was now proselyted to the true
religion, a legal claim upon Boaz. It was customary for widows
to assert this claim,
@deuteronomy 25:5-10
. But this is not recorded for
imitation in other times, and is not to be judged by modern
rules. And if there had been any evil in it, Ruth was a woman of
too much virtue and too much sense to have listened to it.
@Verses 6-13
What in one age or nation would be improper, is not always
so in another age or another nation. Being a judge of Israel,
Boaz would tell Ruth what she should do; also whether he had the
right of redemption, and what methods must be taken, and what
rites used, in order to accomplishing her marriage with him or
another person. The conduct of Boaz calls for the highest
praise. He attempted not to take advantage of Ruth; he did not
disdain her as a poor, destitute stranger, nor suspect her of
any ill intentions. He spoke honourably of her as a virtuous
woman, made her a promise, and as soon as the morning arrived,
sent her away with a present to her mother-in-law. Boaz made his
promise conditional, for there was a kinsman nearer than he, to
whom the right of redemption belonged.
@Verses 14-18
Ruth had done all that was fit for her to do, she must
patiently wait the event. Boaz, having undertaken this matter,
would be sure to manage it well. Much more reason have true
believers to cast their care on God, because he has promised to
care for them. Our strength is to sit still,
@isaiah 30:7
. This
narrative may encourage us to lay ourselves by faith at the feet
of Christ: He is our near Kinsman; having taken our nature upon
him. He has the right to redeem. Let us seek to receive from him
his directions: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
@acts 9:6
. He
will never blame us as doing this unseasonably. And let us
earnestly desire and seek the same rest for our children and
friends, that it may be well with them also.
The kinsman refuses to redeem Ruth's inheritance. (1-8) Boaz
marries Ruth. (9-12) Birth of Obed. (13-22)
@Verses 1-8
This matter depended on the laws given by Moses about
inheritances, and doubtless the whole was settled in the regular
and legal manner. This kinsman, when he heard the conditions of
the bargain, refused it. In like manner many are shy of the
great redemption; they are not willing to espouse religion; they
have heard well of it, and have nothing to say against it; they
will give it their good word, but they are willing to part with
it, and cannot be bound to it, for fear of marring their own
inheritance in this world. The right was resigned to Boaz. Fair
and open dealing in all matters of contract and trade, is what
all must make conscience of, who would approve themselves true
Israelites, without guile. Honesty will be found the best
policy.
@Verses 9-12
Men are ready to seize opportunities for increasing their
estates, but few know the value of godliness. Such are the wise
men of this world, whom the Lord charges with folly. They attend
not to the concerns of their souls, but reject the salvation of
Christ, for fear of marring their inheritance. But God did Boaz
the honour to bring him into the line of the Messiah, while the
kinsman, who was afraid of lessening himself, and marring his
inheritance, has his name, family, and inheritance forgotten.
@Verses 13-22
Ruth bore a son, through whom thousands and myriads were
born to God; and in being the lineal ancestor of Christ, she was
instrumental in the happiness of all that shall be saved by him;
even of us Gentiles, as well as those of Jewish descent. She was
a witness for God to the Gentile world, that he had not utterly
forsaken them, but that in due time they should become one with
his chosen people, and partake of his salvation. Prayer to God
attended the marriage, and praise to him attended the birth of
the child. What a pity it is that pious language should not be
more used among Christians, or that it should be let fall into
formality! Here is the descent of David from Ruth. And the
period came when Bethlehem-Judah displayed greater wonders than
those in the history of Ruth, when the outcast babe of another
forlorn female of the same race appeared, controlling the
counsels of the Roman master of the world, and drawing princes
and wise men from the east, with treasures of gold, and
frankincense, and myrrh to his feet. His name shall endure for
ever, and all nations shall call Him blessed. In that Seed shall
all the nations of the earth be blessed.
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
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