mh_parser/vol_split/8 - Ruth/Chapter 2.xml

<div2 id="Ru.iii" n="iii" next="Ru.iv" prev="Ru.ii" progress="23.06%" title="Chapter II">
<h2 id="Ru.iii-p0.1">R U T H</h2>
<h3 id="Ru.iii-p0.2">CHAP. II.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ru.iii-p1">There is scarcely any chapter in all the sacred
history that stoops so low as this to take cognizance of so mean a
person as Ruth, a poor Moabitish widow, so mean an action as her
gleaning corn in a neighbour's field, and the minute circumstances
thereof. But all this was in order to her being grafted into the
line of Christ and taken in among his ancestors, that she might be
a figure of the espousals of the Gentile church to Christ,
<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.54.1" parsed="|Isa|54|1|0|0" passage="Isa 54:1">Isa. liv. 1</scripRef>. This makes the
story remarkable; and many of the passages of it are instructive
and very improvable. Here we have, I. Ruth's humility and industry
in gleaming corn, Providence directing her to Boaz's field,
<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.1-Ruth.2.3" parsed="|Ruth|2|1|2|3" passage="Ru 2:1-3">ver. 1-3</scripRef>. II. The great
favour which Boaz showed to her in many instances, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.4-Ruth.2.16" parsed="|Ruth|2|4|2|16" passage="Ru 2:4-16">ver. 4-16</scripRef>. III. The return of Ruth
to her mother-in-law, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.18-Ruth.2.23" parsed="|Ruth|2|18|2|23" passage="Ru 2:18-23">ver.
18-23</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Ru.iii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2" parsed="|Ruth|2|0|0|0" passage="Ru 2" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ru.iii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.1-Ruth.2.3" parsed="|Ruth|2|1|2|3" passage="Ru 2:1-3" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ruth.2.1-Ruth.2.3">
<h4 id="Ru.iii-p1.7">Ruth in the Field of Boaz. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ru.iii-p1.8">b. c.</span> 1312.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ru.iii-p2">1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a
mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name
<i>was</i> Boaz.   2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,
Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after <i>him</i>
in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my
daughter.   3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field
after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field
<i>belonging</i> unto Boaz, who <i>was</i> of the kindred of
Elimelech.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p3">Naomi had now gained a settlement in
Bethlehem among her old friends; and here we have an account,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p4">I. Of her rich kinsman, Boaz, <i>a mighty
man of wealth,</i> <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.1" parsed="|Ruth|2|1|0|0" passage="Ru 2:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>. The Chaldee reads it, <i>mighty in the law.</i> If he
was both, it was a most rare and excellent conjunction, to be
mighty in wealth and mighty in the scriptures too; those that are
so are mighty indeed. He was grandson of Nahshon, who was prince of
the tribe of Judah in the wilderness, and son of Salmon, probably a
younger son, by Rahab, the harlot of Jericho. He carries might in
his name, <i>Boaz—in him is strength;</i> and he was of the family
of Elimelech, that family which was now reduced and brought so low.
Observe, 1. Boaz, though a rich and great man, had poor relations.
Every branch of the tree is not a top-branch. Let not those that
are great in the world be ashamed to own their kindred that are
mean and despised, lest they be found therein proud, scornful, and
unnatural. 2. Naomi, though a poor contemptible widow, had rich
relations, whom yet she boasted not of, nor was burdensome to, nor
expected any thing from when she returned to Bethlehem in distress.
Those that have rich relations, while they themselves are poor,
ought to know that it is the wise providence of God that makes the
difference (in which we ought to acquiesce), and that to be proud
of our relation to such is a great sin, and to trust to it is great
folly.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p5">II. Of her poor daughter-in-law, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.1" parsed="|Ruth|1|0|0|0" passage="Ruth. 1">Ruth. 1</scripRef>.
Her condition was very low and poor, which was a great trial to the
faith and constancy of a young proselyte. The Bethlehemites would
have done well if they had invited Naomi and her daughter-in-law
first to one good house and then to another (it would have been a
great support to an aged widow and a great encouragement to a new
convert); but, instead of tasting the dainties of Canaan, they have
no way of getting necessary food but by gleaning corn, and
otherwise, for aught that appears, they might have starved. Note,
<i>God has chosen the poor of this world;</i> and poor they are
likely to be, for, though God has chosen them, commonly men
overlook them. 2. Her character, in this condition, was very good
<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.2" parsed="|Ruth|2|2|0|0" passage="Ru 2:2">(<i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>): <i>She said to
Naomi,</i> not, "Let me now go to the land of Moab again, for there
is no living here, here there is want, but <i>in my father's house
there is bread enough.</i>" No, she is <i>not mindful of the
country from which she came out,</i> otherwise she had now a fair
occasion to return. The God of Israel shall be her God, and, though
he slay her, yet will she trust in him and never forsake him. But
her request is, <i>Let me go to the field, and glean ears of
corn.</i> Those that are well born, and have been well brought up,
know not what straits they may be reduced to, nor what mean
employments they may be obliged to get their bread by, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Lam.4.5" parsed="|Lam|4|5|0|0" passage="La 4:5">Lam. iv. 5</scripRef>. When the case is thus
melancholy, let Ruth be remembered, who is a great example, (1.) Of
humility. When Providence had made her poor she did not say, "To
glean, which is in effect to beg, I am ashamed," but cheerfully
stoops to the meanness of her circumstances and accommodates
herself to her lot. High spirits can more easily starve than stoop;
Ruth was none of those. She does not tell her mother she was never
brought up to live upon crumbs. Though she was not brought up to
it, she is brought down to it, and is not uneasy at it. Nay, it is
her own motion, not her mother's injunction. Humility is one of the
brightest ornaments of youth, and one of the best omens. Before
Ruth's honour was this humility. Observe how humbly she speaks of
herself, in her expectation of leave to glean: Let me glean after
him <i>in whose sight I shall find grace.</i> She does not say, "I
will go and glean, and surely nobody will deny me the liberty,"
but, "I will go and glean, in the hope that somebody will allow me
the liberty." Note, Poor people must not demand kindness as a debt,
but humbly ask it, and take it as a favour, though in ever so small
a matter. It becomes the poor to use entreaties. (2.) Of industry.
She does not say to her mother-in-law, "Let me now go a visiting to
the ladies of the town, or go a walking in the fields to take the
air and be merry; I cannot sit all day moping with you." No, it is
not sport, but business, that her heart is upon: "<i>Let me go and
glean ears of corn,</i> which will turn to some good account." She
was one of those virtuous women that love not to eat the bread of
idleness, but love to take pains. This is an example to young
people. Let them learn betimes to labour, and, <i>what their hand
finds to do, do it with their might.</i> A disposition to diligence
bodes well both for this world and the other. Love not sleep, love
not sport, love not sauntering; but love business. It is also an
example to poor people to work for their living, and not beg that
which they are able to earn. We must not be shy of any honest
employment, though it be mean, <b><i>ergon ouden
oneidos</i></b>—<i>No labour is a reproach.</i> Sin is a thing
below us, but we must not think any thing else so that Providence
calls us to. (3.) Of regard to her mother. Though she was but her
mother-in-law, and though, being loosed by death from the law of
her husband, she might easily suppose herself thereby loosed from
the law of her husband's mother, yet she is dutifully observant of
her. She will not go out without letting her know and asking her
leave. This respect young people ought to show to their parents and
governors; it is part of the honour due to them. She did not say,
"Mother, if you will go with me, I will go glean:" but, "Do you sit
at home and take your ease, and I will go abroad, and take pains."
<i>Juniores ad labores—Youth should work.</i> Let young people
take advice from the aged, but not put them upon toil. (4.) Of
dependence upon Providence, intimated in that, I will <i>glean
after him in whose sight I shall find grace.</i> She knows not
which way to go, nor whom to enquire for, but will trust Providence
to raise her up some friend or other that will be kind to her. Let
us always keep us good thoughts of the divine providence, and
believe that while we do well it will do well for us. And it did
well for Ruth; for when she went out alone, without guide or
companion, to glean, <i>her hap was to light on the field of
Boaz,</i> <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.3" parsed="|Ruth|2|3|0|0" passage="Ru 2:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. To her
it seemed casual. She knew not whose field it was, nor had she any
reason for going to that more than any other, and therefore it is
said to be <i>her hap;</i> but Providence directed her steps to
this field. Note, God wisely orders small events; and those that
seem altogether contingent serve his own glory and the good of his
people. Many a great affair is brought about by a little turn,
which seemed fortuitous to us, but was directed by Providence with
design.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ru.iii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.4-Ruth.2.16" parsed="|Ruth|2|4|2|16" passage="Ru 2:4-16" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ruth.2.4-Ruth.2.16">
<h4 id="Ru.iii-p5.6">The Kindness of Boaz to
Ruth. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ru.iii-p5.7">b. c.</span> 1312.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ru.iii-p6">4 And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and
said unto the reapers, The <span class="smallcaps" id="Ru.iii-p6.1">Lord</span>
<i>be</i> with you. And they answered him, The <span class="smallcaps" id="Ru.iii-p6.2">Lord</span> bless thee.   5 Then said Boaz unto
his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel <i>is</i>
this?   6 And the servant that was set over the reapers
answered and said, It <i>is</i> the Moabitish damsel that came back
with Naomi out of the country of Moab:   7 And she said, I
pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the
sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning
until now, that she tarried a little in the house.   8 Then
said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean
in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my
maidens:   9 <i>Let</i> thine eyes <i>be</i> on the field that
they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young
men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go
unto the vessels, and drink of <i>that</i> which the young men have
drawn.   10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to
the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine
eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I <i>am</i>
a stranger?   11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath
fully been showed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in
law since the death of thine husband: and <i>how</i> thou hast left
thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art
come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.   12 The
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ru.iii-p6.3">Lord</span> recompense thy work, and a full
reward be given thee of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ru.iii-p6.4">Lord</span> God
of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.   13 Then
she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou
hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto
thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.
  14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and
eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat
beside the reapers: and he reached her parched <i>corn,</i> and she
did eat, and was sufficed, and left.   15 And when she was
risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her
glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:   16 And
let fall also <i>some</i> of the handfuls of purpose for her, and
leave <i>them,</i> that she may glean <i>them</i>, and rebuke her
not.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p7">Now Boaz himself appears, and a great deal
of decency there appears in his carriage both towards his own
servants and towards this poor stranger.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p8">I. Towards his own servants, and those that
were employed for him in reaping and gathering in his corn.
Harvest-time is busy time, many hands must then be at work. Boaz
that had much, being a mighty man of wealth, had much to do, and
consequently many to work under him and to live upon him. <i>As
goods are increased those are increased that eat them, and what
good has the owner thereof save the beholding of them with his
eyes?</i> Boaz is here an example of a good master.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p9">1. He had a servant that was set over the
reapers, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.6" parsed="|Ruth|2|6|0|0" passage="Ru 2:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. In
great families it is requisite there should be one to oversee the
rest of the servants, and appoint to each their portion both of
work and meat. Ministers are such servants in God's house, and it
is requisite that they be both wise and faithful, and <i>show their
Lord all things,</i> as he here, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.6" parsed="|Ruth|2|6|0|0" passage="Ru 2:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p10">2. Yet he came himself to his reapers, to
see how the work went forward, if he found any thing amiss to
rectify it, and to give further orders what should be done. This
was both for his own interest (he that wholly leaves his business
to others will have it done by the halves; the master's eye makes a
fat horse) and it was also for the encouragement of his servants,
who would go on the more cheerfully in their work when their master
countenanced them so far as to make them a visit. Masters that live
at ease should think with tenderness of those that toil for them
and bear the burden and heat of the day.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p11">3. Kind and pious salutations were
interchanged between Boaz and his reapers.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p12">(1.) He said to them, <i>The Lord be with
you;</i> and they replied, <i>The Lord bless thee,</i> <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.4" parsed="|Ruth|2|4|0|0" passage="Ru 2:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. Hereby they expressed,
[1.] Their mutual respect to each other; he to them as good
servants, and they to him as a good master. When he came to them he
did not fall a chiding them, as if he came only to find fault and
exercise his authority, but he prayed for them: "<i>The Lord be
with you,</i> prosper you, and give you health and strength, and
preserve you from any disaster." Nor did they, as soon as ever he
was out of hearing, fall a cursing him, as some ill-natured
servants that hate their master's eye, but they returned his
courtesy: "<i>The Lord bless thee,</i> and make our labours
serviceable to thy prosperity." Things are likely to go on well in
a house where there is such good-will as this between master and
servants. [2.] Their joint-dependence upon the divine providence.
They express their kindness to each other by praying one for
another. They show not only their courtesy, but their piety, and
acknowledgement that all good comes from the presence and blessing
of God, which therefore we should value and desire above any thing
else both for ourselves and others.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p13">(2.) Let us hence learn to use, [1.]
Courteous salutations, as expressions of a sincere good-will to our
friends. [2.] Pious ejaculations, lifting up our hearts to God for
his favour, in such short prayers as these. Only we must take heed
that they do not degenerate into formality, lest in them we <i>take
the name of the Lord our God in vain;</i> but, if we be serious in
them, we may in them keep up our communion with God, and fetch in
mercy and grace from him. It appears to have been the usual custom
thus to wish reapers good speed, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.129.7-Ps.129.8" parsed="|Ps|129|7|129|8" passage="Ps 129:7,8">Ps.
cxxix. 7, 8</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p14">4. He took an account from his reapers
concerning a stranger he met with in the field, and gave necessary
orders concerning her, that they should not touch her (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.9" parsed="|Ruth|2|9|0|0" passage="Ru 2:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>) nor reproach her,
<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.15" parsed="|Ruth|2|15|0|0" passage="Ru 2:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. 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 hurt. He also
ordered them to be kind to her, and <i>let fall some of the
handfuls on purpose for her.</i> Though it is fit that masters
should restrain and rebuke their servants' wastefulness, yet they
should not tie them up from being charitable, but give them
allowance for that, with prudent directions.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p15">II. Boaz was very kind to Ruth, and showed
her a great deal of favour, induced to it by the account he had of
her, and what he observed concerning her, God also inclining his
heart to countenance her. Coming among his reapers, he observed
this stranger among them, and got intelligence from his steward who
she was, and here is a very particular account of what passed
concerning her.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p16">1. The steward gave to Boaz a very fair
account of her, proper to recommend her to his favour, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.6-Ruth.2.7" parsed="|Ruth|2|6|2|7" passage="Ru 2:6,7"><i>v.</i> 6, 7</scripRef>. (1.) That she was a
stranger, and therefore one of those that by the law of God were to
<i>gather the gleanings of the harvest,</i> <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.19.9-Lev.19.10" parsed="|Lev|19|9|19|10" passage="Le 19:9,10">Lev. xix. 9, 10</scripRef>. She is the Moabitish
damsel. (2.) That she was allied to his family; she came back with
Naomi, the wife of Elimelech, a kinsman of Boaz. (3.) That she was
a proselyte, for she came out of the country of Moab to settle in
the land of Israel. (4.) That she was very modest, and had not
gleaned till she had asked leave. (5.) That she was very
industrious, and had continued close to her work from morning even
until now. And the poor that are industrious and willing to take
pains are fit to be encouraged. Now, in the heat of the day, she
tarried a little in the house or booth that was set up in the field
for shelter from the weather to repose herself, and some suggest
that it is probably she retired for her devotion. But she soon came
back to her work, and, except that little intermission, kept close
to it all day, though it was not what she had been used to.
Servants should be just in the character and reports they give to
their masters, and take heed they do not misrepresent any person,
nor without cause discourage their master's charity.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p17">2. Boaz was hereupon extremely civil to her
in divers instances. (1.) He ordered her to attend his reapers in
every field they gathered in and not to glean in the field of
another, for she should not need to go any where else to better
herself (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.8" parsed="|Ruth|2|8|0|0" passage="Ru 2:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>):
<i>Abide here fast by my maidens;</i> for those of her own sex were
the fittest company for her. (2.) He charged all his servants to be
very tender of her and respectful to her, and no doubt they would
be so to one to whom they saw their master kind. She was a
stranger, and it is probably her language, dress, and mien differed
much from theirs; but he charged them that they should not in any
thing affront her, or be abusive to her, as rude servants are too
apt to be to strangers. (3.) He bade her welcome to the
entertainment he had provided for his own servants. He ordered her,
not only to drink of the water which was drawn for them (for that
seems to be the liquor he means, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.9" parsed="|Ruth|2|9|0|0" passage="Ru 2:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>, drawn from the famous well of
Beth-lehem which was by the gate, the water of which David longed
for, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.23.15" parsed="|2Sam|23|15|0|0" passage="2Sa 23:15">2 Sam. xxiii. 15</scripRef>),
but <i>at meal-time to come and eat of their bread</i> (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.14" parsed="|Ruth|2|14|0|0" passage="Ru 2:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>), yea, and she should be
welcome to their sauce too: <i>Come, dip thy morsel in the
vinegar,</i> to make it savoury; for God allows us not only
nourishing but relishing food, not for necessity only, but for
delight. And for encouragement to her, and direction to the
servants, he himself, happening to be present when the reapers sat
down to meat, <i>reached her parched corn</i> to eat. It is no
disparagement to the finest hand to be <i>reached forth to the
needy</i> (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p17.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.31.20" parsed="|Prov|31|20|0|0" passage="Pr 31:20">Prov. xxxi. 20</scripRef>),
and to be employed in serving the poor. Observe, Boaz was not
scanty in his provision for his reapers, but sent them so much more
than enough for themselves as would be entertainment for a
stranger. Thus <i>there is that scattereth and yet increaseth.</i>
(4.) He commended her for her dutiful respect to her mother-in-law,
which, though he did not know her by sight, yet he had heard of
(<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p17.6" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.11" parsed="|Ruth|2|11|0|0" passage="Ru 2:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>): <i>It has
been fully shown me all that thou hast done unto thy
mother-in-law.</i> Note, Those that do well ought to have the
praise of it. But that which especially he commended her for was
that she had left her own country, and had become a proselyte to
the Jewish religion; for so the Chaldee expounds it: "Thou hast
come to be proselyted, and to dwell among <i>a people whom thou
knowest not.</i>" Those that leave all, to embrace the true
religion, are worthy of double honour. (5.) He prayed for her
(<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p17.7" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.12" parsed="|Ruth|2|12|0|0" passage="Ru 2:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>): <i>The Lord
recompense thy work.</i> Her strong affection to the commonwealth
of Israel, to which she was by birth an alien, was such a work of
the divine grace in her as would certainly be crowned with a full
reward by him <i>under whose wings she had come to trust.</i> Note,
Those that by faith come under the wings of the divine grace, and
have a full complacency and confidence in that grace, may be sure
of a full recompence of reward for their so doing. From this
expression, the Jews describe a proselyte to be one that is
<i>gathered under the wings of the divine majesty.</i> (6.) He
encouraged her to go on in her gleaning, and did not offer to take
her off from that; for the greatest kindness we can do our poor
relations is to assist and encourage their industry. Boaz ordered
his servants to let her glean among the sheaves, where other
gleaners were not allowed to come, and not to reproach her, that
is, not to call her <i>thief,</i> or to suspect her of taking more
than was allowed her, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p17.8" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.15" parsed="|Ruth|2|15|0|0" passage="Ru 2:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>. All this shows Boaz to have been a man of a generous
spirit, and one that, according to the law, considered the heart of
a stranger.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p18">3. Ruth received his favours with a great
deal of humility and gratitude, and conducted herself with as much
propriety in her place as he did himself in his, but little
thinking that she should shortly be the mistress of that field she
was now gleaning in. (1.) She paid all possible respect to him, and
gave him honour, according to the usage of the country (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.10" parsed="|Ruth|2|10|0|0" passage="Ru 2:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>): <i>She fell on her
face, and bowed herself to the ground.</i> Note, Good breeding is a
great ornament to religion; and we must render <i>honour to whom
honour is due.</i> (2.) She humbly owned herself unworthy of his
favours: "<i>I am a stranger</i> (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.10" parsed="|Ruth|2|10|0|0" passage="Ru 2:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>) and <i>not like one of thy
handmaids</i> (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.13" parsed="|Ruth|2|13|0|0" passage="Ru 2:13"><i>v.</i>
13</scripRef>), not so well dressed nor so well taught, not so neat
nor so handy." Note, It well becomes us all to think meanly of
ourselves, and to take notice of that in ourselves which is
diminishing, esteeming others better than ourselves. (3.) She
gratefully acknowledged his kindness to her; though it was no great
expense to him, nor much more than what he was obliged to by the
divine law, yet she magnifies and admires it: <i>Why have I found
grace in thy eyes?</i> <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.10" parsed="|Ruth|2|10|0|0" passage="Ru 2:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>. (4.) She begs the continuance of his good-will:
<i>Let me find favour in they sight</i> (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p18.5" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.13" parsed="|Ruth|2|13|0|0" passage="Ru 2:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>), and owns that what he had said
had been a cordial to her: <i>Thou hast comforted me, for that thou
hast spoken friendly to me.</i> Those that are great, and in high
places, know not how much good they may do to their inferiors with
a kind look or by speaking friendly to them; and so small an
expense, one would think, they should not grudge, when it shall be
put upon the score of their charity. (5.) When Boaz gave her her
dinner with his reapers she only ate so much as would suffice her,
and left the rest, and immediately rose up to glean, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p18.6" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.14-Ruth.2.15" parsed="|Ruth|2|14|2|15" passage="Ru 2:14,15"><i>v.</i> 14, 15</scripRef>. She did not,
under pretence either of her want or of her labour, eat more than
was convenient for her, nor so much as to unfit her for work in the
afternoon. Temperance is a friend to industry; and we must eat and
drink to strengthen us for business, not to indispose us to it.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ru.iii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.17-Ruth.2.23" parsed="|Ruth|2|17|2|23" passage="Ru 2:17-23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ruth.2.17-Ruth.2.23">
<h4 id="Ru.iii-p18.8">Ruth's Report to Naomi. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ru.iii-p18.9">b. c.</span> 1312.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ru.iii-p19">17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and
beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.
  18 And she took <i>it</i> up, and went into the city: and
her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth,
and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.
  19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou
gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did
take knowledge of thee. And she showed her mother in law with whom
she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to
day <i>is</i> Boaz.   20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in
law, Blessed <i>be</i> he of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ru.iii-p19.1">Lord</span>, who hath not left off his kindness to the
living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man <i>is</i>
near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.   21 And Ruth
the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by
my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.   22 And
Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, <i>It is</i> good, my
daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee
not in any other field.   23 So she kept fast by the maidens
of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat
harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p20">Here, I. Ruth finishes her day's work,
<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.17" parsed="|Ruth|2|17|0|0" passage="Ru 2:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. 1. She took
care not to lose time, for she gleaned until evening. We must not
be weary of well-doing, because in due season we shall reap. She
did not make an excuse to sit still, or go home, till the evening.
Let us <i>work the works of him that sent us, while it is day.</i>
She scarcely used, much less did she abuse, the kindness of Boaz;
for, though he ordered his servants to leave handfuls for her, she
continued to glean the scattered ears. 2. She took care not to lose
what she had gathered, but threshed it herself, that she might the
more easily carry it home, and might have it ready for use. <i>The
slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting,</i> and so
loseth the benefit of it, <i>but the substance of a diligent man is
precious,</i> <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.12.27" parsed="|Prov|12|27|0|0" passage="Pr 12:27">Prov. xii.
27</scripRef>. Ruth had gathered it ear by ear, but, when she had
put it all together, it was an ephah of barley, about four pecks.
Many a little makes a great deal. It is an encouragement to
industry that in all labour, even that of gleaning, there is
profit, but the <i>talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.</i>
When she had got her corn into as little compass as she could, she
took it up herself, and carried it into the city, though, had she
asked them, it is likely some of Boaz's servants would have done
that for her. We should study to be as little as possible
troublesome to those that are kind to us. She did not think it
either too hard or too mean a service to carry her corn herself
into the city, but was rather pleased with what she had gotten by
her own industry, and careful to secure it; and let us thus take
care that we <i>lose not those things which we have wrought,</i>
which we have gained, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:2John.1.8" parsed="|2John|1|8|0|0" passage="2Jo 1:8">2 John
8</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p21">II. She paid her respects to her
mother-in-law, went straight home to her and did not go to converse
with Boaz's servants, <i>showed her what she had gleaned,</i> that
she might see she had not been idle.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p22">1. She entertained her with what she had
left of the good dinner Boaz had given her. She gave to her what
she had reserved, after she was sufficed (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.18" parsed="|Ruth|2|18|0|0" passage="Ru 2:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>), which refers to <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.14" parsed="|Ruth|2|14|0|0" passage="Ru 2:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. If she had any thing
better than another, her mother should have part with her. Thus,
having shown industry abroad, she showed piety at home; so
children's maintaining their parents is called (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p22.3" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.5.4" parsed="|1Tim|5|4|0|0" passage="1Ti 5:4">1 Tim. v. 4</scripRef>), and it is part of the honour due
to them by the fifth commandment, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p22.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.15.6" parsed="|Matt|15|6|0|0" passage="Mt 15:6">Matt.
xv. 6</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ru.iii-p23">2. She gave her an account of her day's
work, and how a kind providence had favoured her in it, which made
it very comfortable to her; for the gleanings that a righteous man
hath are better than the harvests of many wicked, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.37.16" parsed="|Ps|37|16|0|0" passage="Ps 37:16">Ps. xxxvii. 16</scripRef>. (1.) Naomi asked her
where she had been: <i>Where hast thou gleaned to-day?</i> Note,
Parents should take care to enquire into the ways of their
children, how, and where, and in what company they spend their
time. This may prevent many extravagancies which children, left to
themselves, run into, by which they bring both themselves and their
parents to shame. If we are not our brethren's, yet surely we are
our children's keepers: and we know what a son Adonijah proved,
that had never been chidden. Parents should examine their children,
not to frighten nor discourage them, not 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
in the close of every day, "<i>Where have I gleaned to-day?</i>
What improvements have I made in knowledge and grace? What have I
done or obtained that will turn to a good account?" (2.) Ruth gave
her a particular account of the kindness she had received from Boaz
(<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.19" parsed="|Ruth|2|19|0|0" passage="Ru 2:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>) and the hopes
she had of further kindness from him, he having ordered her to
attend his servants throughout all the harvest, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p23.3" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.21" parsed="|Ruth|2|21|0|0" passage="Ru 2:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. Note, Children should look upon
themselves as accountable to their parents and to those that are
over them, and not think it a disparagement to them to be examined;
let them <i>do that which is good,</i> and they shall have praise
of the same. Ruth told her mother what kindness Boaz had shown her,
that she might take some occasion or another to acknowledge it and
return him thanks; but she did not tell her how Boaz had commended
her, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p23.4" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.11" parsed="|Ruth|2|11|0|0" passage="Ru 2:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. Humility
teaches us, not only not to praise ourselves, but not to be forward
to publish others' praises of us. (3.) We are here told what Naomi
said to it. [1.] She prayed heartily for him that had been her
daughter's benefactor, even before she knew who it was (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p23.5" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.19" parsed="|Ruth|2|19|0|0" passage="Ru 2:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>): <i>Blessed be he,</i>
whoever he was, <i>that did take knowledge of thee,</i> shooting
the arrow of prayer at a venture. But more particularly when she
was told who it was (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p23.6" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.20" parsed="|Ruth|2|20|0|0" passage="Ru 2:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>): <i>Blessed be he of the Lord.</i> Note, The poor
must pray for those that are kind and liberal to them, and thus
requite them, when they are not capable of making them any other
requital. Let the loins of the poor bless those that refresh them,
<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p23.7" osisRef="Bible:Job.29.13 Bible:Job.31.20" parsed="|Job|29|13|0|0;|Job|31|20|0|0" passage="Job 29:13,31:20">Job xxix. 13; xxxi.
20</scripRef>. And he that hears the cries of the poor against
their oppressors (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p23.8" osisRef="Bible:Exod.22.27" parsed="|Exod|22|27|0|0" passage="Ex 22:27">Exod. xxii.
27</scripRef>), it may be hoped, will hear the prayers of the poor
for their benefactors. She now remembered the former kindnesses
Boaz had shown to her husband and sons, and joins those to this: he
has not <i>left off his kindness to the living and to the dead.</i>
If we generously show kindness even to those that seem to have
forgotten our former favours, perhaps it may help to revive the
remembrance even of those which seem buried. [2.] She acquainted
Ruth with the relation their family was in to Boaz: <i>The man is
near of kin to us.</i> It should seem she had been so long in Moab
that she had forgotten her kindred in the land of Israel, till by
this providence God brought it to her mind. At least she had not
told Ruth of it, though it might have been some encouragement to a
young proselyte. Unlike to humble Naomi are many, who, though
fallen into decay themselves, are continually boasting of their
great relations. Nay, Observe the chain of thought here, and in it
a chain of providences, bringing about what was designed concerning
Ruth. Ruth names Boaz as one that had been kind to her. Naomi
bethinks herself who that should be, and presently recollects
herself: "<i>The man is near of kin to us;</i> now that I hear his
name, I remember him very well." This thought brings in another:
"He is <i>our next kinsman,</i> our <i>goel,</i> that has the right
to redeem our estate that was mortgaged, and therefore from him we
may expect further kindness. He is the likeliest man in all
Bethlehem to set us up." Thus God brings things to our mind,
sometimes on a sudden, that prove to have a wonderful tendency to
our good. [3.] She appointed Ruth to continue her attendance in the
fields of Boaz (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p23.9" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.22" parsed="|Ruth|2|22|0|0" passage="Ru 2:22"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>): "<i>Let them not meet thee in any other field,</i>
for that will be construed a contempt of his courtesy." Our blessed
Saviour is our <i>Goel;</i> it is he that has a right to redeem. If
we expect to receive benefit by him, let us closely adhere to him,
and his fields, and his family; let us not go to the world and its
fields for that which is to be had with him only, and which he has
encouraged us to expect from him. Has the Lord dealt bountifully
with us? Let us not be found in any other field, nor seek for
happiness and satisfaction in the creature. Tradesmen take it ill
if those that are in their books go to another shop. We lose divine
favours if we slight them. Some think Naomi gave her
daughter-in-law a tacit rebuke; she had spoken (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p23.10" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.21" parsed="|Ruth|2|21|0|0" passage="Ru 2:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>) of keeping fast by the young
<i>men.</i> "Nay," said Naomi (<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p23.11" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.22" parsed="|Ruth|2|22|0|0" passage="Ru 2:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>), "<i>It is good that thou go out
with his maidens; they</i> are fitter company for thee than the
<i>young men.</i>" But they are too critical. Ruth spoke of the
young men because they were the principal labourers, and to them
Boaz had given directions concerning her; and Naomi takes it for
granted that, while she attended the young men, her society would
be with the maidens, as was fit. Ruth dutifully observed her
mother's directions; she continued to glean, to the end, not only
of barley-harvest, but of the wheat-harvest, which followed it,
that she might gather food in harvest to serve for winter,
<scripRef id="Ru.iii-p23.12" osisRef="Bible:Prov.6.6-Prov.6.8" parsed="|Prov|6|6|6|8" passage="Pr 6:6-8">Prov. vi. 6-8</scripRef>. She also
kept fast by the maidens of Boaz, with whom she afterwards
cultivated an acquaintance, which might do her service, <scripRef id="Ru.iii-p23.13" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.2.23" parsed="|Ruth|2|23|0|0" passage="Ru 2:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. But she constantly came
to her mother at night in due time, as became a virtuous woman,
that was for working days, and not for merry nights. And when the
harvest was ended (as bishop Patrick expounds it) she did not gad
abroad, but kept her aged mother company at home. Dinah went out to
see the daughters of the land, and we know what a disgrace her
vanity ended in. Ruth kept at home, and helped to maintain her
mother, and went out on no other errand than to get provision for
her, and we shall find afterwards what preferment her humility and
industry ended in. <i>Seest thou a man diligent in his
business?</i> Honour is before him.</p>
</div></div2>