BibleWare/BibWare.bin/bibref/mhc.exe/RU.TXT

Text File | 1996-06-12 | 14KB | 244 lines

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** 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)

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.
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* 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)

#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.

#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.

#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,
which we have gained for our souls' good, #2Jo 1:8|. Parents
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, #Ge 34|. Ruth kept at home, and helped
to maint