_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 ]