Ruth 2 - Introduction
_RUTH GOES TO GLEAN IN THE FIELDS OF BOAZ: BOAZ TAKES NOTICE OF HER, AND SHEWS KINDNESS TOWARDS HER: NAOMI REJOICES IN THE EVENT._ _Before Christ 1376._... [ Continue Reading ]
_RUTH GOES TO GLEAN IN THE FIELDS OF BOAZ: BOAZ TAKES NOTICE OF HER, AND SHEWS KINDNESS TOWARDS HER: NAOMI REJOICES IN THE EVENT._ _Before Christ 1376._... [ Continue Reading ]
BOAZ CAME—AND SAID UNTO THE REAPERS, THE LORD BE WITH YOU— We are authorised by the events of this history to conclude, that none of them happened by chance, but by the immediate interposition of God. Happy they who in all their ways acknowledge him, and in every state, however low, repose themselve... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT SHE TARRIED A LITTLE IN THE HOUSE— Or rather, _and hath not been but a moment in the house; 1:_e. _in the tent,_ which was pitched in the field for the refreshment of the reapers, and of such as were labouring in the field. This is Aben-Ezra's exposition of the word _house,_ and it appears extr... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THOU SHOULDEST TAKE KNOWLEDGE OF ME— To _take knowledge,_ in Scripture, frequently signifies to _shew kindness,_ and is the effect of _finding grace, 1:_e. _favour_ with any one. The reason of this favour from Boaz to Ruth is mentioned in the next verses, which give us a favourable idea of Boaz... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH I BE NOT LIKE UNTO ONE OF THY HANDMAIDENS— Nothing can be more amiable than this humility of Ruth. Extolling the favour of Boaz to her to the utmost, she, as it were, annihilates herself; professing, that, stranger as she was, and of an idolatrous country, she considered herself as far inferi... [ Continue Reading ]
EAT OF THE BREAD AND DIP THY MORSEL IN THE VINEGAR— Under the name _bread,_ as we have before remarked, is comprehended all kinds of provision. By חמצ _chometz,_ rendered _vinegar,_ is signified a kind of _acid_ or _strongly fermented_ wine, which was very cooling and refreshing in hot seasons, such... [ Continue Reading ]
SO SHE GLEANED IN THE FIELD—AND BEAT OUT THAT SHE HAD GLEANED— Ruth availed herself of the goodness of Boaz. She gleaned all the day; and then, according to the custom of those times, _she beat out,_ with a rod, the corn, which produced her _an ephah._ See Exodus 16:36.... [ Continue Reading ]
NAOMI SAID—THE MAN IS NEAR OF KIN UNTO US, ONE OF OUR NEXT KINSMEN— In the Hebrew, _one of our redeemers;_ concerning whom, see Leviticus 25:25. Deuteronomy 25:5 together with what follows in the 4th chapter of this book. Naomi does not say that Boaz was the גאל _goel,_ or _redeemer;_ but _one of th... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT KEEP FAST BY MY YOUNG MEN— The word which we render _young men,_ signifies all young people in general. We see by the following verse in what manner Naomi understood it. The LXX and Chaldee render it _maidens,_ and so, doubtless, it should be read in our version. REFLECTIONS.—Ruth, havin... [ Continue Reading ]