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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Ruth, Chapter II].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>R U T H</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. II.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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There is scarcely any chapter in all the sacred history that stoops so
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low as this to take cognizance of so mean a person as Ruth, a poor
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Moabitish widow, so mean an action as her gleaning corn in a
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neighbour's field, and the minute circumstances thereof. But all this
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was in order to her being grafted into the line of Christ and taken in
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among his ancestors, that she might be a figure of the espousals of
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the Gentile church to Christ,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+54:1">Isa. liv. 1</A>.
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This makes the story remarkable; and many of the passages of it are
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instructive and very improvable. Here we have,
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I. Ruth's humility and industry in gleaming corn, Providence directing
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her to Boaz's field,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:1-3">ver. 1-3</A>.
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II. The great
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favour which Boaz showed to her in many instances,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:4-16">ver. 4-16</A>.
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III. The return of Ruth to her mother-in-law,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:18-23">ver. 18-23</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ru2_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ru2_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ru2_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Ruth in the Field of Boaz.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1312.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of
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wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name <I>was</I> Boaz.
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2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the
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field, and glean ears of corn after <I>him</I> in whose sight I shall
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find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
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3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the
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reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field
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<I>belonging</I> unto Boaz, who <I>was</I> of the kindred of Elimelech.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Naomi had now gained a settlement in Bethlehem among her old friends;
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and here we have an account,</P>
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<P>
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I. Of her rich kinsman, Boaz, <I>a mighty man of wealth,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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The Chaldee reads it, <I>mighty in the law.</I> If he was both, it was
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a most rare and excellent conjunction, to be mighty in wealth and
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mighty in the scriptures too; those that are so are mighty indeed. He
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was grandson of Nahshon, who was prince of the tribe of Judah in the
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wilderness, and son of Salmon, probably a younger son, by Rahab, the
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harlot of Jericho. He carries might in his name, <I>Boaz--in him is
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strength;</I> and he was of the family of Elimelech, that family which
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was now reduced and brought so low. Observe,
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1. Boaz, though a rich and great man, had poor relations. Every branch
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of the tree is not a top-branch. Let not those that are great in the
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world be ashamed to own their kindred that are mean and despised, lest
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they be found therein proud, scornful, and unnatural.
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2. Naomi, though a poor contemptible widow, had rich relations, whom
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yet she boasted not of, nor was burdensome to, nor expected any thing
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from when she returned to Bethlehem in distress. Those that have rich
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relations, while they themselves are poor, ought to know that it is
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the wise providence of God that makes the difference (in which we
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ought to acquiesce), and that to be proud of our relation to such is a
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great sin, and to trust to it is great folly.</P>
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<P>
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II. Of her poor daughter-in-law, Ruth.
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1. Her condition was very low and poor, which was a great trial to the
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faith and constancy of a young proselyte. The Bethlehemites would have
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done well if they had invited Naomi and her daughter-in-law first to
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one good house and then to another (it would have been a great support
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to an aged widow and a great encouragement to a new convert); but,
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instead of tasting the dainties of Canaan, they have no way of getting
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necessary food but by gleaning corn, and otherwise, for aught that
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appears, they might have starved. Note, <I>God has chosen the poor of
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this world;</I> and poor they are likely to be, for, though God has
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chosen them, commonly men overlook them.
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2. Her character, in this condition, was very good
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:2">(<I>v.</I> 2</A>):
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<I>She said to Naomi,</I> not, "Let me now go to the land of Moab
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again, for there is no living here, here there is want, but <I>in my
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father's house there is bread enough.</I>" No, she is <I>not mindful
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of the country from which she came out,</I> otherwise she had now a
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fair occasion to return. The God of Israel shall be her God, and,
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though he slay her, yet will she trust in him and never forsake him.
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But her request is, <I>Let me go to the field, and glean ears of
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corn.</I> Those that are well born, and have been well brought up,
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know not what straits they may be reduced to, nor what mean
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employments they may be obliged to get their bread by,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+4:5">Lam. iv. 5</A>.
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When the case is thus melancholy, let Ruth be remembered, who is a
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great example,
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(1.) Of humility. When Providence had made her poor she did not say,
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"To glean, which is in effect to beg, I am ashamed," but cheerfully
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stoops to the meanness of her circumstances and accommodates herself
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to her lot. High spirits can more easily starve than stoop; Ruth was
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none of those. She does not tell her mother she was never brought up
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to live upon crumbs. Though she was not brought up to it, she is
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brought down to it, and is not uneasy at it. Nay, it is her own
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motion, not her mother's injunction. Humility is one of the brightest
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ornaments of youth, and one of the best omens. Before Ruth's honour
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was this humility. Observe how humbly she speaks of herself, in her
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expectation of leave to glean: Let me glean after him <I>in whose
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sight I shall find grace.</I> She does not say, "I will go and glean,
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and surely nobody will deny me the liberty," but, "I will go and
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glean, in the hope that somebody will allow me the liberty." Note,
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Poor people must not demand kindness as a debt, but humbly ask it, and
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take it as a favour, though in ever so small a matter. It becomes the
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poor to use entreaties.
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(2.) Of industry. She does not say to her mother-in-law, "Let me now
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go a visiting to the ladies of the town, or go a walking in the fields
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to take the air and be merry; I cannot sit all day moping with you."
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No, it is not sport, but business, that her heart is upon: "<I>Let me
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go and glean ears of corn,</I> which will turn to some good account."
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She was one of those virtuous women that love not to eat the bread of
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idleness, but love to take pains. This is an example to young people.
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Let them learn betimes to labour, and, <I>what their hand finds to do,
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do it with their might.</I> A disposition to diligence bodes well both
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for this world and the other. Love not sleep, love not sport, love
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not sauntering; but love business. It is also an example to poor
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people to work for their living, and not beg that which they are able
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to earn. We must not be shy of any honest employment, though it be
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mean, <B><I>ergon ouden oneidos</I></B>--<I>No labour is a
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reproach.</I> Sin is a thing below us, but we must not think any thing
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else so That Providence calls us to.
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(3.) Of regard to her mother. Though she was but her mother-in-law,
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and though, being loosed by death from the law of her husband, she
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might easily suppose herself thereby loosed from the law of her
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husband's mother, yet she is dutifully observant of her. She will not
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go out without letting her know and asking her leave. This respect
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young people ought to show to their parents and governors; it is part
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of the honour due to them. She did not say, "Mother, if you will go
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with me, I will go glean:" but, "Do you sit at home and take your
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ease, and I will go abroad, and take pains." <I>Juniores ad
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labores--Youth should work.</I> Let young people take advice from the
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aged, but not put them upon toil.
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(4.) Of dependence upon Providence, intimated in that, I will <I>glean
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after him in whose sight I shall find grace.</I> She knows not which
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way to go, nor whom to enquire for, but will trust Providence to raise
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her up some friend or other that will be kind to her. Let us always
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keep us good thoughts of the divine providence, and believe that while
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we do well it will do well for us. And it did well for Ruth; for when
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she went out alone, without guide or companion, to glean, <I>her hap
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was to light on the field of Boaz,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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To her it seemed casual. She knew not whose field it was, nor had she
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any reason for going to that more than any other, and therefore it is
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said to be <I>her hap;</I> but Providence directed her steps to this
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field. Note, God wisely orders small events; and those that seem
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altogether contingent serve his own glory and the good of his people.
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Many a great affair is brought about by a little turn, which seemed
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fortuitous to us, but was directed by Providence with design.</P>
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<A NAME="Ru2_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ru2_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ru2_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ru2_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ru2_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ru2_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ru2_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ru2_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ru2_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ru2_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ru2_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ru2_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ru2_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Kindness of Boaz to Ruth.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1312.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>4 And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the
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reapers, The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>be</I> with you. And they answered him, The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
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bless thee.
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5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the
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reapers, Whose damsel <I>is</I> this?
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6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and
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said, It <I>is</I> the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out
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of the country of Moab:
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7 And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the
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reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even
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from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the
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house.
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8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go
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not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide
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here fast by my maidens:
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9 <I>Let</I> thine eyes <I>be</I> on the field that they do reap, and go
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thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall
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not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels,
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and drink of <I>that</I> which the young men have drawn.
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10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,
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and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that
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thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I <I>am</I> a stranger?
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11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been
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showed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since
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the death of thine husband: and <I>how</I> thou hast left thy father
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and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a
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people which thou knewest not heretofore.
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12 The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> recompense thy work, and a full reward be given
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thee of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come
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to trust.
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13 Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for
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that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken
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friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of
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thine handmaidens.
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14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and
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eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat
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beside the reapers: and he reached her parched <I>corn,</I> and she
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did eat, and was sufficed, and left.
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15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young
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men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach
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her not:
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16 And let fall also <I>some</I> of the handfuls of purpose for her,
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and leave <I>them,</I> that she may glean <I>them</I>, and rebuke her not.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Now Boaz himself appears, and a great deal of decency there appears in
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his carriage both towards his own servants and towards this poor
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stranger.</P>
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<P>
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I. Towards his own servants, and those that were employed for him in
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reaping and gathering in his corn. Harvest-time is busy time, many
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hands must then be at work. Boaz that had much, being a mighty man of
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wealth, had much to do, and consequently many to work under him and to
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live upon him. <I>As goods are increased those are increased that eat
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them, and what good has the owner thereof save the beholding of them
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with his eyes?</I> Boaz is here an example of a good master.</P>
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<P>
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1. He had a servant that was set over the reapers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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In great families it is requisite there should be one to oversee the
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rest of the servants, and appoint to each their portion both of work
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and meat. Ministers are such servants in God's house, and it is
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requisite that they be both wise and faithful, and <I>show their Lord
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all things,</I> as he here,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. Yet he came himself to his reapers, to see how the work went
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forward, if he found any thing amiss to rectify it, and to give
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further orders what should be done. This was both for his own interest
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(he that wholly leaves his business to others will have it done by the
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halves; the master's eye makes a fat horse) and it was also for the
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encouragement of his servants, who would go on the more cheerfully in
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their work when their master countenanced them so far as to make them
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a visit. Masters that live at ease should think with tenderness of
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those that toil for them and bear the burden and heat of the day.</P>
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<P>
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3. Kind and pious salutations were interchanged between Boaz and his
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reapers.</P>
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<P>
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(1.) He said to them, <I>The Lord be with you;</I> and they replied,
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<I>The Lord bless thee,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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Hereby they expressed,
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[1.] Their mutual respect to each other; he to them as good servants,
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and they to him as a good master. When he came to them he did not fall
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a chiding them, as if he came only to find fault and exercise his
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authority, but he prayed for them: "<I>The Lord be with you,</I>
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prosper you, and give you health and strength, and preserve you from
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any disaster." Nor did they, as soon as ever he was out of hearing,
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fall a cursing him, as some ill-natured servants that hate their
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master's eye, but they returned his courtesy: "<I>The Lord bless
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thee,</I> and make our labours serviceable to thy prosperity." Things
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are likely to go on well in a house where there is such good-will as
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this between master and servants.
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[2.] Their joint-dependence upon the divine providence. They express
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their kindness to each other by praying one for another. They show
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not only their courtesy, but their piety, and acknowledgement that all
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good comes from the presence and blessing of God, which therefore we
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should value and desire above any thing else both for ourselves and
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others.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) Let us hence learn to use,
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[1.] Courteous salutations, as expressions of a sincere good-will to
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our friends.
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[2.] Pious ejaculations, lifting up our hearts to God for his favour,
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in such short prayers as these. Only we must take heed that they do
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not degenerate into formality, lest in them we <I>take the name of the
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Lord our God in vain;</I> but, if we be serious in them, we may in
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them keep up our communion with God, and fetch in mercy and grace from
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him. It appears to have been the usual custom thus to wish reapers
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good speed,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+129:7,8">Ps. cxxix. 7, 8</A>.</P>
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<P>
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4. He took an account from his reapers concerning a stranger he met
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with in the field, and gave necessary orders concerning her, that they
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should not touch her
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>)
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nor reproach her,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
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Masters must take care, not only that they do no hurt themselves, but
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|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
1. The steward gave to Boaz a very fair account of her, proper to
|
|
recommend her to his favour,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:6,7"><I>v.</I> 6, 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
(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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+19:9,10">Lev. xix. 9, 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>):
|
|
|
|
<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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>,
|
|
|
|
drawn from the famous well of Beth-lehem which was by the gate, the
|
|
water of which David longed for,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:15">2 Sam. xxiii. 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
but <I>at meal-time to come and eat of their bread</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
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 o 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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+31:20">Prov. xxxi. 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>):
|
|
|
|
<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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
|
|
|
<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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
|
|
|
|
<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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>)
|
|
|
|
and <I>not like one of thy handmaids</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
(4.) She begs the continuance of his good-will: <I>Let me find favour
|
|
in they sight</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:14,15"><I>v.</I> 14, 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ru2_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ru2_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ru2_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ru2_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ru2_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ru2_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ru2_23"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Ruth's Report to Naomi.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1312.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, 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.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here,
|
|
|
|
I. Ruth finishes her day's work,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+12:27">Prov. xii. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:8">2 John 8</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
which refers to
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:4">1 Tim. v. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
and it is part of the honour due to them by the fifth commandment,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+15:6">Matt. xv. 6</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+37:16">Ps. xxxvii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
(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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>)
|
|
|
|
and the hopes she had of further kindness from him, he having ordered
|
|
her to attend his servants throughout all the harvest,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>):
|
|
|
|
<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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
|
|
|
|
<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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:13,31:20">Job xxix. 13; xxxi. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
And he that hears the cries of the poor against their oppressors
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+22:27">Exod. xxii. 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
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
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she had not told Ruth of it, though it might have been some
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encouragement to a young proselyte. Unlike to humble Naomi are many,
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who, though fallen into decay themselves, are continually boasting of
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their great relations. Nay, Observe the chain of thought here, and in
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it a chain of providences, bringing about what was designed concerning
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Ruth. Ruth names Boaz as one that had been kind to her. Naomi bethinks
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herself who that should be, and presently recollects herself: "<I>The
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man is near of kin to us;</I> now that I hear his name, I remember him
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very well." This thought brings in another: "He is <I>our next
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kinsman,</I> our <I>goel,</I> that has the right to redeem our estate
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that was mortgaged, and therefore from him we may expect further
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kindness. He is the likeliest man in all Bethlehem to set us up." Thus
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God brings things to our mind, sometimes on a sudden, that prove to
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have a wonderful tendency to our good.
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[3.] She appointed Ruth to continue her attendance in the fields of
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Boaz
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>):
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"<I>Let them not meet thee in any other field,</I> for that will be
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|
construed a contempt of his courtesy." Our blessed Saviour is our
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|
<I>Goel;</I> it is he that has a right to redeem. If we expect to
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|
receive benefit by him, let us closely adhere to him, and his fields,
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|
and his family; let us not go to the world and its fields for that
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|
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
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>)
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of keeping fast by the young <I>men.</I> "Nay," said Naomi
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),
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"<I>It is good that thou go out with his maidens; they</I> are fitter
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|
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,
|
|
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+6:6-8">Prov. vi. 6-8</A>.
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She also kept fast by the maidens of Boaz, with whom she afterwards
|
|
cultivated an acquaintance, which might do her service,
|
|
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ru+2:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
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|
|
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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
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him.</P>
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