_In the days when the judges ruled._ THE TRANSITION FROM JUDGES TO RUTH Leaving the Book of Judges and opening the story of Ruth, we pass from vehement out-door life, from tempest and trouble, into quiet domestic scenes. After an exhibition of the greater movements of a people we are brought, as it... [ Continue Reading ]
_They came into the country of Moab, and continued there._ LESSONS FROM THE CONDUCT OF ELIMELECH AND NAOMI 1. Learn from the change in the circumstances of Naomi’s husband not to trust in the uncertain possessions of this world. You may now be wealthy and respectable among your neighbours and acqu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Elimelech, Naomi’s husband died._ THE DEATH OF ELIMELECH He went first from Israel, the land of the living, and led them thence, and so he now goeth out of the world before them. I. Death is the end of all, and it spareth none (Joshua 23:14; Job 21:33; Ecclesiastes 6:6; Ecc 7:2; 1 Corinthians 15... [ Continue Reading ]
_They took them wives of the women of Moab._ SINFUL MARRIAGES The sin of these young men in marrying strange women is not expressly denounced as a sin in the story, although it is denounced in the Targum, which commences Ruth 1:4 thus: “They transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and took foreig... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them._ BEREAVEMENT A BLESSING What a melancholy collapse it all had been! For those so dear to her, death; for herself, solitude--the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. And yet what a marvellous blessing bereavement not only may be but often is. Su... [ Continue Reading ]
_She arose _. .. _ that she might return._ HOMEWARD LONGINGS Observe-- 1. God’s house of worldly correction is to God’s people a school of heavenly instruction. Naomi’s crosses and losses she met with in Moab made her soul to sit loose from that cursed country, and to long for Canaan--that blesse... [ Continue Reading ]
_Her two daughters-in-law with her._ THE PROMISING COMMENCEMENT Here we have the most happy and promising commencement of a new work. We see them all set out together upon the same road and apparently for the same result. No one who saw them set out upon their journey could anticipate that they wou... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord deal kindly with you._ NAOMI’S PRAYER FOR HER DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW I. That it is a duty to pray for those which do either us or ours good. II. That at parting friends are to pray one for another, as we may see the practice of it in Isaac (Genesis 28:1; Genesis 28:3); Laban (Genesis 31:55);... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband._ THE REST OF MARRIAGE 1. Man’s Maker is the chief maker of all men and women’s marriages in the world. It is the work of God to provide an helpmeet for man, hence it is called the covenant of God (Proverbs 2:17), a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Surely we will return with thee._ PROMISES AND PURPOSES I. Promises of speech and purposes of heart, whether to God, to His church, or to individuals, ought to go hand in hand. If a man’s word does not express his meaning and bind him, nothing can. II. Promises and purposes often proceed from pa... [ Continue Reading ]
_It grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me._ NAOMI’S PARTING ADDRESS This is a great aggravation of the afflictions of many parents, that their children are involved with themselves. They could bear poverty, they could bear reproach, they could bear death i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth clave unto her._ ORPAH’S DEFECTION I. Worldly respects are great hindrances in the course of godliness. The world keepeth from the entertaining of the truth (Matthew 22:5); it hindereth in the receiving of it. II. An unsound heart may for a time make a fa... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods._ BACKSLIDING 1. The backslidings of such as set out fair, and do begin well, is a sore temptation to young converts and proselytes. It was no less to the very disciples themselves (John 6:66). Thus it was also an occasion of stumb... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return._ RUTH AND NAOMI I. Every person is tested. Sooner or later, but certainly. The tests will vary in severity with the cases. In every case they will be conclusive, determining the genuineness of the life professed. They cannot be evaded. If one... [ Continue Reading ]
_When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her._ TRUST AFTER TESTING After proof and trial made of their fidelity we are to trust our brethren, without any further suspicion. Not to try before we trust is want of wisdom; not to trust after we have trie... [ Continue Reading ]
_So they two went until they came to Bethlehem._ CONSTANCY I. That they are to be admitted into our fellowship whom we find to be constant in a good course, and true lovers of goodness, whatsoever they were before. Naomi thus admits of Ruth, no doubt, with great comfort. Thus Paul alloweth of Mark... [ Continue Reading ]
_Call me not Naomi, call me Mara._ NAOMI I. Incidents in her life. This world is to all, in some measure, “a vale of tears.” The pilgrimage of the true Christian is not through verdant plains and flowery fields, but through a “waste howling wilderness,” where much toil is exercised, many troubles u... [ Continue Reading ]
_So Naomi returned, and Ruth._ THE YOUNG CONVERT Little was Naomi aware of the treasure she was bringing to Israel or of the honour which was in store for Ruth. She says, “The Lord hath brought me back empty.” And it was so, so far as she was herself concerned. But the Lord had brought back with he... [ Continue Reading ]