Naomi had a kinsman. A KIND KINSMAN I. God never wants His instruments of succour unto those that trust in His mercy. Some relation (either natural or spiritual) God will raise up to relieve His in their deepest extremity. II. Some rich men may yet be religious men. Though indeed they are rare bi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let me now go to the field, and glean._ THE YOUNG TO WORK FOR THEIR PARENTS Ruth does not propose that Naomi should go with her to the field. She wished her honoured mother to enjoy the rest and ease suited to her time of life, whilst she herself was exposed to the troubles and inconveniences of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz._ GLEANINGS IN THE FIELD OF BOAZ 1. I learn, first, from this subject, how trouble develops character. 2. Again, I see in my text the beauty of unfaltering friendship. 3. Again, I learn from this subject that paths which open in har... [ Continue Reading ]
_Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you._ SALUTATION AND PRAYER I. That it is a commendable thing for one to salute another when they meet. II. That masters are to pray that God may be with their household, family, and workmen. (_R. Bernard._) A GOOD MASTER 1.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said Boaz unto his servant,_. .. _ Whose damsel is this?_ And the servant. .. said, It is the Moabitish damsel. THE WELCOME RECEPTION We can imagine many ways in which Boaz and Ruth might have been made acquainted with each other. But surely none which would have been better adapted to awake... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter?_ Go not to glean in another field. LOVING-KINDNESS 1. There may be an hearing without an heeding. 2. Loving-kindness to necessitous persons ought not to be shown in word and tongue only, but also in deed and truth (1 John 3:1). Boaz’s kin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground._ THE LOWLY ATTITUDE OF A GRATEFUL HEART I. what deep and touching humility is expressed here. II. what affectionate gratitude is here. III. what confessions of unworthiness are here. IV. what consciousness of need is here. (_W. Baxend... [ Continue Reading ]
_It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law._ THE PRAISE OF VIRTUE I. that virtue shall not want trumpeters to sound out her praises to the full (Psalms 37:6). II. that well-doing procureth favour to the poor, though strangers, at the hands of the virtuous; for t... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee._ RUTH’S REWARD; OR, CHEER FOR CONVERTS I. what has the young convert done? We illustrate the subject by the instance of Ruth. 1. Many young converts deserve encouragement because they have left all their old associates. Ruth, no doub... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me._ GOOD FROM ENCOURAGING WORDS Is there not a useful suggestion in all this to persons in places of authority and influence? There is sometimes a grievous fault in withholding praise from others. At the fountain-head of some... [ Continue Reading ]
_At mealtime come thou hither._ THE COMMON MEAL 1. It should indicate the Divine hand in providing it. 2. It should minister to the calm contentment of our hearts. 3. It should indicate a self-respect before men. 4. It should prepare for the next duties in life. (_E. Price._) MEALTIME IN THE C... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let her glean even among the sheaves._ SPIRITUAL GLEANING I. The God of the whole earth is a great husbandman. This is true in natural things. As a matter of fact all farm operations are carried on by His power and prudence. In spiritual matters God is a great Husbandman; and there, too, all His... [ Continue Reading ]
_So she gleaned in the field until even._ PERSEVERING LABOUR 1. Gleaners in gospel-fields should continue in their gleaning work from morning to evening. How many are but half Sabbath folk, that can spare to spend a morning in Sabbath service, but are for their pastimes after that! Ruth was none o... [ Continue Reading ]
_She took it up, and went into the city._ CAREFUL OF THE FRUIT OF LABOUR It is no less necessary to be careful of the fruit of our labours than to labour with diligence. “In all labour there is profit,” says the wise man; yet there are some that labour for the wind. They lose what they have wrough... [ Continue Reading ]
_Where hast thou gleaned to-day?_ WHERE HAST THOU GLEANED TO-DAY? I. the sphere: life’s opportunities. 1. The law of labour is the law of life. In this world but little can be accomplished without energy and enterprise. In every department this is true. 2. To the open and eager eye openings invi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off His kindness._ GOD’S BLESSING 1. In its nature it is “kindness”--the very soul of tenderness to the God-fearing among men. 2. In its continuance. He cannot “leave off” making His children happy. 3. In its application to both worlds--to the “livin... [ Continue Reading ]
_It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens._ INSTRUCTION FROM ELDERS Old persons may be expected to have collected, by reflection and experience, more wisdom than the young, and should be ready to communicate instruction to those that need it. Let the young have their hands prepar... [ Continue Reading ]