Ruth 2 - Introduction
_A.M. 2692. B.C. 1312._ Providence directs Ruth to glean in Boaz's field, Ruth 2:1. The favour which Boaz showed her, Ruth 2:4. Her return to Naomi 17-23.... [ Continue Reading ]
_A.M. 2692. B.C. 1312._ Providence directs Ruth to glean in Boaz's field, Ruth 2:1. The favour which Boaz showed her, Ruth 2:4. Her return to Naomi 17-23.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let me go to the field and glean_ Which was permitted to the poor and the stranger, Leviticus 19:9; Deuteronomy 24:19. And Ruth was neither ashamed to confess her poverty, nor would she eat the bread of idleness. _After him in whose sight I shall find grace_ Perhaps she did not know that poor stran... [ Continue Reading ]
_Her hap was_, &c. It was a chance in appearance, and in reference to second causes, but ordered by God's providence. God wisely orders small events, even those that seem altogether contingent. Many a great affair is brought about by a little turn, fortuitous as to men, but designed by God.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you_, &c. Such was the piety of ancient times, that it manifested itself even in men's civil conversation and worldly transactions, and induced them to pray to God for a blessing on the labours of those whom they saw to be honestly and usefully employed,... [ Continue Reading ]
_She said, I pray you_, &c. She did not boldly intrude herself, but modestly ask leave of us. _Till now_ She is not retired through idleness, for she hath been diligent and constant in her labours. _The house _ In the little house or tent, which was set up in the fields at these times, and was neces... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abide here by my maidens_ Not by the young men, to avoid both occasion of sin, and matter of scandal. Herein he shows his piety and prudence. _That they shall not touch thee_ So as to offer any incivility or injury to thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then she fell on her face_ This was the humblest posture of reverence, either civil, when performed to men, or religious, when to God. And thus she shows both the lowliness of her mind and her gratitude. _That thou shouldest take knowledge of me_ That is, shouldest so much as notice me, and especia... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord recompense thy work_, &c. Thy dutiful kindness to thy mother-in-law, and thy leaving thy country and kindred, and all things, to embrace the true religion. This implied such a work of divine grace wrought in her, and such a work of righteousness wrought by her, as was sure to be crowned wi... [ Continue Reading ]
_She said, Let me find favour_ Or, _I find favour_, &c. For it is evidently an acknowledgment of the kindness she had already received, and not a petition for a further kindness. _Though I be not like_, &c. That is, though I have not deserved it, being a person more mean, obscure, and necessitous, t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar_ In the term _bread_ is comprehended all the provision which was made for the reapers, with which they had vinegar for sauce, it being very cooling and refreshing in hot seasons, as the time of harvest there was. _He reached her parched corn_ Whic... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let fall also some of the handfuls_ What an amiable picture of piety and virtue in private life have we here in Boaz! In the midst of riches he is laborious, diligent in husbandry, plain without luxury, delicacy, sloth, or pride. How affable, obliging, and kind to his servants! _The Lord be with yo... [ Continue Reading ]
_An ephah_ About a bushel of our measure. _Gave to her what she had reserved_ At dinner, after she had eaten, and _was sufficed _ Or satisfied. This shows Ruth's care of her mother-in-law, whom she had in her mind when she was feasted with the reapers with more than she could eat, and therefore brou... [ Continue Reading ]
_Where hast thou gleaned to-day?_ It is a good question to ask ourselves in the evening, “Where have I gleaned to-day?” What improvements have I made in grace or knowledge? What have I learned or done, which will turn to account?... [ Continue Reading ]
_His kindness to the living and to the dead_ That is, the kindness which he formerly showed to my husband and his sons while they were living, he now continues to us their relicts.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt keep fast by my young men_ Or, young people, as the word נערים, _negnarim_, although of the masculine gender, here signifies, and particularly the maidens, to whom he bid her keep close, Ruth 2:8. And thus both the Seventy and the Chaldee expound it; and so Naomi, as appears by the next... [ Continue Reading ]
_That they meet thee not in any other field_ Whereby thou wilt both expose thyself to many inconveniences, which thou mayest expect from strangers, and incur his displeasure, as if thou didst despise his kindness.... [ Continue Reading ]