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Ruth Chapter Four

Ruth 4

Chapter Contents

The kinsman refuses to redeem Ruth's inheritance. (1-8) Boaz marries Ruth. (9-12) Birth of Obed. (13-22)

Commentary on Ruth 4:1-8

(Read Ruth 4:1-8)

This matter depended on the laws given by Moses about inheritances and doubtless the whole was settled in the regular and legal manner. This kinsman when he heard the conditions of the bargain refused it. In like manner many are shy of the great redemption; they are not willing to espouse religion; they have heard well of it and have nothing to say against it; they will give it their good word but they are willing to part with it and cannot be bound to it for fear of marring their own inheritance in this world. The right was resigned to Boaz. Fair and open dealing in all matters of contract and trade is what all must make conscience of who would approve themselves true Israelites without guile. Honesty will be found the best policy.

Commentary on Ruth 4:9-12

(Read Ruth 4:9-12)

Men are ready to seize opportunities for increasing their estates but few know the value of godliness. Such are the wise men of this world whom the Lord charges with folly. They attend not to the concerns of their souls but reject the salvation of Christ for fear of marring their inheritance. But God did Boaz the honour to bring him into the line of the Messiah while the kinsman who was afraid of lessening himself and marring his inheritance has his name family and inheritance forgotten.

Commentary on Ruth 4:13-22

(Read Ruth 4:13-22)

Ruth bore a son through whom thousands and myriads were born to God; and in being the lineal ancestor of Christ she was instrumental in the happiness of all that shall be saved by him; even of us Gentiles as well as those of Jewish descent. She was a witness for God to the Gentile world that he had not utterly forsaken them but that in due time they should become one with his chosen people and partake of his salvation. Prayer to God attended the marriage and praise to him attended the birth of the child. What a pity it is that pious language should not be more used among Christians or that it should be let fall into formality! Here is the descent of David from Ruth. And the period came when Bethlehem-Judah displayed greater wonders than those in the history of Ruth when the outcast babe of another forlorn female of the same race appeared controlling the counsels of the Roman master of the world and drawing princes and wise men from the east with treasures of gold and frankincense and myrrh to his feet. His name shall endure for ever and all nations shall call Him blessed. In that Seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.

── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Ruth》

Ruth 4

Verse 2

[2] And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said Sit ye down here. And they sat down.

Ten men — To be witnesses: for though two or three witnesses were sufficient yet in weightier matters they used more. And ten was the usual number among the Jews in causes of matrimony and divorce and translation of inheritances; who were both judges of the causes and witnesses of the fact.

Verse 3

[3] And he said unto the kinsman Naomi that is come again out of the country of Moab selleth a parcel of land which was our brother Elimelech's:

Naomi — Both Naomi and Ruth had an interest in this land during their lives but he mentions only Naomi because all was done by her direction; lest the mention of Ruth should raise a suspicion of the necessity of his marrying Ruth before he had given his answer to the first proposition.

Verse 5

[5] Then said Boaz What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess the wife of the dead to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.

Buy it — According to the law Deuteronomy 25:5.

To raise … — To revive his name which was buried with his body by raising up a seed to him to be called by his name.

Verse 6

[6] And the kinsman said I cannot redeem it for myself lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

Mar — Either because having no children of his own he might have one and but one son by Ruth who though he should carry away his inheritance yet would not bear his name but the name of Ruth's husband; and so by preserving another man's name he should lose his own. Or because as his inheritance would be but very little increased by this marriage so it might be much diminished by being divided amongst his many children which he possibly had already and might probably have more by Ruth.

My right — Which I freely resign to thee.

Verse 7

[7] Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.

All things — That is in all alienation of lands. So that it is no wonder if this ceremony differ a little from that Deuteronomy 25:9 because that concerned only one case but this is more general. Besides he pleads not the command of God but only ancient custom for this practice.

Gave it — He who relinquished his right to another plucked off his own shoe and gave it to him. This was symbolical and a significant and convenient ceremony as if he said take this shoe wherewith I used to go and tread upon my land and in that shoe do thou enter upon it and take possession of it.

This was a testimony — This was admitted for sufficient evidence in all such cases.

Verse 10

[10] Moreover Ruth the Moabitess the wife of Mahlon have I purchased to be my wife to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.

From the gate — That is from among the inhabitants dwelling within the gate of this city which was Bethlehem-judah.

Verse 11

[11] And all the people that were in the gate and the elders said We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah and be famous in Bethlehem:

Rachel and Leah — Amiable and fruitful. These two are singled out because they were of a foreign original and yet ingrafted into God's people as Ruth was; and because of that fertility which God vouchsafed unto them above their predecessors Sarah and Rebecca. Rachel is placed before Leah because she was his most lawful and best-beloved wife.

Did build — That is increase the posterity.

Ephratah and Bethlehem — Two names of one and the same place.

Verse 12

[12] And let thy house be like the house of Pharez whom Tamar bare unto Judah of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.

Pharez — As honourable and numerous as his family was; whom though be also was born of a stranger God so blessed that his family was one of the five families to which all the tribe of Judah belonged and the progenitor of the inhabitants of this city.

Verse 13

[13] So Boaz took Ruth and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her the LORD gave her conception and she bare a son.

Took Ruth — Which he might do though she was a Moabite because the prohibition against marrying such is to be restrained to those who continue Heathens; whereas Ruth was a sincere proselyte and convert to the God of Israel. Thus he that forsakes all for Christ shall find more than all with him.

Verse 14

[14] And the women said unto Naomi Blessed be the LORD which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman that his name may be famous in Israel.

Which hath not … — The words may be rendered Which hath not made or suffered thy kinsman to fail thee; that is to refuse the performances of his duty to thee and thine as the other kinsman did.

Famous — Heb. and his name shall be famous in Israel for this noble and worthy action.

Verse 15

[15] And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law which loveth thee which is better to thee than seven sons hath born him.

Thy life — That is of the comfort of thy life.

Born him — Or hath born to him; that is to thy kinsman a son.

Better than seven sons — See how God sometimes makes up the want of those relations from whom we expected most comfort in those from whom we expected least! The bonds of love prove stronger than those of nature.

Verse 17

[17] And the women her neighbours gave it a name saying There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse the father of David.

A name — That is they gave her advice about his name; for otherwise they had no power or right to do so.

Obed — A servant to thee to nourish and comfort and assist thee; which duty children owe to their progenitors.

── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Ruth》

 
Ruth's Marital Joy: "She Bore A Son" (4:1-22)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Our brief survey of the book of Ruth has thus far revealed...
 a. Ruth's noble choice: "I will go..." - Ru 1:1-22
  1) Expressing great love for her mother-in-law
Naomi
 2) Willing to forego home and religion
and adopt Israel and the
 true God
 b. Ruth's lowly service: "Let me glean..." - Ru 2:1-23
 1) Exercising her right as a widow to glean after the reapers
 during the harvest
 2) Providing sustenance for herself and her mother-in-law 
 c. Ruth's tender plea: "Take your maidservant..." - Ru 3:1-18
 1) Made to Boaz
a near kinsman
 2) As part of a careful plan proposed by her mother-in-law
Naomi
 
2. Noteworthy throughout this story has been the character of Boaz...
 a. A kind man
with a strong sense of propriety
 b. A hospitable man
with a concern for duty and reputation
 c. A man Naomi knew "will not rest until he has concluded the matter
 this day" - Ru 3:18
 
3 As we come to the fourth and final chapter...
 a. We see how Boaz fulfills "Ruth's marital joy"
 b. Resulting in the birth of a son who became David's grandfather
 
[As the chapter opens
Boaz begins the process promised to Ruth earlier
(cf. Ru 3:12-13)...]
 
I. BOAZ CONFRONTS A CLOSE RELATIVE
 
 A. AT THE TOWN GATE...
 1. Boaz meets the close relative at the gate - Ru 4:1
 a. Where people would travel in and out of the town
 b. Where business transactions were often made
 c. Where judges and officers were to be found - cf. Deu 16:18
 2. Boaz calls together ten elders of the city - Ru 4:2
 a. Who were frequently gathered at the gate - cf. Pro 31:23
 b. Such elders would serve as witnesses - cf. Ru 4:9
 
 B. REGARDING NAOMI'S LAND...
 1. Naomi had sold the land which belonged to her husband

 Elimelech - Ru 4:3
 a. Some translations (NIV
NASB
etc.) indicate she was about
 to sell it - cf. Ru 4:9
 b. Within her right as one who was poor - cf. Lev 25:25
 2. Boaz encourages the close relative to redeem it
or Boaz will
 - Ru 4:4
 a. It was important that land stay within the family - cf. Lev
 25:23-28; Num 27:1-11
 b. At first
the close relative is willing to redeem it
 
 C. WHO REFUSES TO REDEEM THE LAND...
 1. Boaz points out the obligation involving Ruth the Moabitess 
 - Ru 4:5
 a. To buy (or acquire) Ruth (cf. NRSV
NASB) - cf. also Ru 4:10
 b. To marry her and perpetuate the name of her dead husband by
 giving him a son - cf. Deu 25:5-6
 2. Prompting the close relative to refuse to redeem it - Ru 4:6
 a. Concerned about ruining his own inheritance
 1) Perhaps because he knew the land would belong to
 Elimelech's family
 2) Thus spending money for land that would not long be his
 b. Who then gave the right (and responsibility) of redemption
 to Boaz
 
[With the refusal of redemption by the close relative...]
 
II. BOAZ REDEEMS NAOMI AND RUTH
 
 A. THE TRANSACTION FOR NAOMI'S LAND...
 1. Confirmed by the removal of a sandal - Ru 4:7-8
 a. A custom "in former times"
 1) Evidently not when the book of Ruth was written
 2) Possibly traced to the practice of taking possession of
 land by walking on the soil of the land being claimed
 (F. B. Huey
Jr.
Expositor's Bible Commentary)
 b. Similar to another custom involving the removal of a sandal
 - cf. Deu 25:7-10
 1) Regarding the refusal to marry the widow of one's brother
 2) An expression of shame for such refusal to accept
 responsibility
 c. Yet such shame does not appear to be the purpose in this
 case
 2. Witnessed by the ten elders and all the people - Ru 4:9
 a. They witnessed that Boaz purchased all the land of Elimelech
 and his sons
 b. That he bought it from the hand of Naomi
 
 B. THE ARRANGEMENT FOR RUTH'S HAND...
 1. Boaz has acquired Ruth as wife - Ru 4:10
 a. To perpetuate the name of the dead (Mahlon
Ruth's dead
  husband)
 b. To maintain Mahlon's (family?) position at the gate
 2. Witnessed and blessed by townspeople and the elders - Ru 4:
 11-12
 a. The people proclaim themselves witnesses
 b. They bless Ruth and Boaz
 1) That the Lord make her like Rachel and Leah
 2) That Boaz prosper and be famous in Bethlehem Ephrathah
 3) That their house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar
 bore to Judah - cf. Gen 46:12; Num 26:20-22
 
[With the transaction for the land witnessed
and their union as husband
and wife blessed by the people at the gate...]
 
III. BOAZ MARRIES RUTH
 
 A. THEY HAVE A SON NAMED OBED...
 1. With conception given by the Lord - Ru 4:13
 a. Fertility and barrenness were sometimes attributed to the
 Lord - cf. Gen 29:31; 30:2
 b. Perhaps in this way the writer was implying God's acceptance
 of the union of Boaz and Ruth
 2. With praise and prayer offered by the women - Ru 4:14-15
 a. Praise to the Lord for His kindness to Naomi through her
 daughter-in-law
 b. Prayer that the child be a restorer and nourisher to Naomi
 in her old age
 3. With nursing by Naomi - Ru 4:16
  4. With his name "Obed" (servant) given by the neighbor women - Ru
 4:17
 
 B. WHO WILL BE GRANDFATHER TO DAVID...
 1. As mentioned at the close of Ru 4:17
 2. As illustrated in the genealogy of Perez - Ru 4:18-22
 a. Perez (son of Judah)
 b. Hezron
 c. Ram
 d. Amminadab
 e. Nahshon
 f. Salmon
 g. Boaz
 h. Obed
 i. Jesse
 j. David
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. At the beginning of our study
we noted that the book of Ruth serves
 two purposes...
 a. To illustrate how God rewards those who make wise spiritual
 choices and show steadfast filial loyalty
 b. To explain how Ruth
a Moabitess
came to be an ancestor of David

 and ultimately
of the Messiah - cf. Ru 4:21-22; Mt 1:5-6
 
2. The book also reveals examples of commendable character...
 a. Nobility of character in Ruth
who proved to be better to Naomi
 than seven sons!
 b. Nobility of character in Boaz
as an employer
and believer in
  God's promises and commands
 
Remember that such character was manifested during a dark period in
Israel's history...
 
 "In those days [there was] no king in Israel; everyone did [what
 was] right in his own eyes." (Judg 21:23)
 
May their example of character encourage us to do what is right when we
live among people who seem to be little different than those in the days
of the Judges...!

－－《Executable Outlines》

04 Chapter 4

Verses 1-5

Ruth 4:1-5

Then went Boaz up to the gate.

Friends in council

I. this is how business should be attended to.

1. Speedily.

2. Expeditiously.

3. Righteously.

II. this is how difficult affairs should be settled delicate claims adjusted fair rights allowed and satisfied.

1. Openly and publicly.

2. By the advice of wise men.

3. Calmly and deliberately.

4. With care and exactitude.

III. this is the way the affairs of the destitute and needy especially should be attended to. (W. Baxendale.)

Judicious methods of attaining our ends

1. The most probable means ought judiciously to be used in order to the accomplishing of our proposed ends. Thus Boaz being restless for obtaining his promised end (Ruth 3:18) uses the likeliest means to obtain his end. Many a man loses a good end for want of right means tending to the end.

2. A marvellous providence doth attend God’s servants that do wait upon God in the way of obedience. The guiding hand of God doth make many a happy hit in the occurrences of His people. Thus the comely contexture of various providences are very marvellous to those that make observation of them. (C. Ness.)

Redemption proposed

How completely this proposal illustrates the proposition of our great Redeemer in our behalf. Thus publicly He agreed in the presence of the angels of God to make Himself an offering for sin. Thus legally would He fulfil all righteousness for man and be made under the law that He might redeem those who were under the law from the bondage of its condemnation. Thus perfectly and completely would He buy back all that man had lost and unite unto Himself the nature which had sinned and fallen. But angels were a created nature far nearer in relation to man. Might not the proposition be made to them? Would they not redeem the lost? Ah willing they might be--we doubt not they were. But able they could never be. The redemption of a soul they must let alone for ever. The Son of God remained alone. His own arm must bring salvation. His righteousness must sustain Him. He was content to do the will of God and His law was in His heart. Here was to be complete redemption. He would take the shoe like Boaz and acknowledge the obligation and perform the duties of which it was the token. He would stand in the sinner’s place. He would make Himself an offering in his stead. All this exercise and work of redeeming love was in the fulness of His own grace without any connection of yours with it. Yes; just as the proposal of Boaz was without Ruth’s presence or knowledge--made in her absence while she was with her mother at home and not to be made known to her until it was completed--so was this great proposal of the Son of God to be your Kinsman and to fulfil for you all the kinsman’s obligations made without your counsel and accomplished without your help. This is the unsearchable riches of grace. We call it sovereign grace. It ruled over every obstacle. It met every difficulty. We call it free grace. It is extended to sinful man with no conditions. It invites him and offers its bounties to him without any qualifications whatever. It announces a redemption all complete and begs him to receive and to enjoy it. Thus God has chosen to redeem. And thus He has chosen us to be the subjects of His redemption. (S. H. Tyng D. D.)

Fair dealing and good principle in Boaz

There are two things especially worthy of notice in this language of Boaz.

1. The spirit of candour and fair dealing by which it is distinguished. He knew the preference which both Naomi and Ruth had for himself; he was conscious too that he no longer regarded with indifference this beautiful daughter of Moab. His fine sense of honour was not blunted either by covetousness or by inclination nor would his conscience allow him even when seeking a good and generous end to have recourse to sharp practice. Here is that “clear and round dealing which is the honour of man’s nature.” He was one of those men who at the close of a transaction could have borne to be cross-examined regarding his part in it by an enemy.

2. Then remark how much the following of principle simplifies a man’s course. Boaz had his own wishes as to the way in which the transaction should terminate; and suppose him to have stooped as thousands in his circumstances would have done to crooked courses and carnal concealments in order to make the matter end according to his wishes what must have been his perplexity and anxiety not to speak of his self-contempt and self-accusation! These are what Lord Bacon has called “the winding and crooked goings of the serpent which goeth basely upon the belly and not upon the feet.” But in following the course of simple duty and making his inclinations and preferences wait on the disposal of God he at once retained peace of conscience self-respect and a good name.” His eye was single and therefore his whole body was full of light.”(A. Thomson D. D.)

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Verse 6

Ruth 4:6

I cannot redeem it for myself lest I mar mine own inheritance.

The endangered inheritance

Many men mar noble inheritances.

I. The inheritance of physical health. The ancients were right who spoke of a sound mind in a sound body as one of the best gifts of the gods. God has written His will upon the body as truly as upon the pages of the Bible. Every natural motion of the body is a revelation of the will and purpose of the Divine Creator. Ever since Christ was cradled in the manger at Bethlehem the body has been honoured exalted glorified. Ever since the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost the body has been the temple of the Third Person of the Trinity. The man who overworks his body sins against God. The man who by intemperance in eating or drinking unfits his body for discharging its normal functions degrades himself and dishonours the Almighty. It is true that many men with broken bodies have accomplished wonderful results in life. The names of John Calvin Robert Hall and a score more suggest themselves as illustrations. Let no man be discouraged who has inherited a weak body. Great souls have often dwelt in frail tenements until the tired body was laid to its rest and the great soul went up in triumph to God. But let those who have received the inheritance of physical health prize it as one of the great gifts of life care for it as one of the sacred inheritances of life and lay it as a willing offering at the feet of the Lord Christ.

II. The inheritance of intellectual capabilities. Of course there are great differences among men in these respects. But in our day ignorance is not simply a misfortune; it is a crime. Christian men must develop all their faculties to their highest possibilities. Every man is bound by the most sacred obligations to make the most of himself for time and for eternity. What a man is intellectually here will determine to some degree what he will be intellectually hereafter. The life to come is but the developed results of present conditions and attainments; that life is but the ripened fruit of the intellectual and moral seed sown in this life. Every Christian because inspired by a sense of loyalty to Jesus Christ will desire to develop his intellectual powers to their utmost degree. He cannot but wish to possess numerous and varied mental faculties for the salvation of men and for the greater glory of the Lord. Divine love in human hearts puts enlarged brains into human heads. Religion stimulates every noble faculty of the soul. It made John Bunyan the immortal dreamer; it made Samuel Bradburn one of the greatest workers and orators in his Church a man of whom Dr. Abel Stevens said that “during forty years Samuel Bradburn was esteemed the Demosthenes of Methodism”; it made William Carey a profound scholar a lofty thinker a consecrated toiler and an inspired genius. Christianity adorns culture with true symmetry and highest beauty; and culture in turn gives Christianity its fullest beauty and its grandest opportunity. They ought never to be separated. Each sweetly and divinely ministers to the other. Let no young man or woman neglect wide reading careful study earnest thought. Young Christians should be model students. They have Jesus Christ for their teacher and the noblest men and women in the world as their fellow-pupils.

III. The inheritance of a worthy family history. This is a gift above the worth of all mere financial values. A good name is more to be desired than gold yea than much fine gold. A good name is the ripe product of years of noble ancestral character. Is there a man who has wandered from his father’s and his mother’s God? Is there one who has lowered the standard of a noble family life and history? Is there one who is besmirching his name and staining his character by unholy thoughts and impure acts? In the name of that worthy family history in the name of an ideal family life in the name of the great God and Father of us all I beseech him to stop and to stop now. He is marring his own inheritance. It is a blessed thing to be able to give a noble family inheritance to one’s children. Let us carefully guard it; let us sacredly preserve it; let us continually honour it; let us never so live that our children shall be ashamed of the name they bear. Let us send it down to them as an honoured inheritance to which they shall add honours from all the generations to come.

IV. The inheritance of religious possibilities. Intellectual attainments and religious experiences cannot be transmitted to our children. We can transmit our vices; but strictly speaking not our virtues. There is a sense however in which we can transmit tendencies toward good and God or toward evil and the devil. There is a Divine truth in much that is said regarding heredity in our day. It is much for a man to be able to say “My father’s God”; it is vastly easier for such a man to say “My Lord and my God ” after having been taught to say “My father’s God.” Children of Christian men and women stand upon a vastly higher plane of possibility than the children of ungodly men and women. The time may come when the natural will be much more like the supernatural than as we now see it. Indeed there is a sense in which there is no distinction between the natural and supernatural. God is active in all spheres of nature. The possibility of being translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son ought to be realised in early childhood. No man however far he may go into sin can shake off entirely the influences of a godly parentage and of early religious training. I once talked with a man who had just recovered from a period of dissipation and with broken voice and moist eyes he said “How could I so far forget myself so greatly dishonour my sainted parents and so wickedly disobey my father’s God?” Oh! children of God’s children prize your privileges! (R. S. MacArthur D. D.)

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Verse 9

Ruth 4:9

I have bought all that was Elimelech’s.

Redemption accomplished

This passage brings to our view the great subject of the gospel revelation--redemption accomplished in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ in human flesh for guilty man. Boaz took his kinsman’s shoes as a simple but solemn token of the agreement which he had now assumed. He called all the inhabitants and elders of his city to witness that he acknowledged all this responsibility and was pledged to accomplish the redemption which was thus described and undertaken. The actual accomplishment of the work now depended upon the ability and the faithfulness of Boaz. Everything now rested upon his power and his truth. Was it not just so with the hope of man from the day of his fail to the day of the Saviour’s manifestation and victory? He had undertaken to be man’s Redeemer. Could He and would He fulfil the wonderful promises which He had given and upon which He had caused His people to place their trust? The history of the New Testament answers this all-important question. These sacred Scriptures reveal the facts of redemption accomplished; the work undertaken completely finished; the fidelity of the Kinsman Redeemer gloriously established; and His almighty power triumphantly made known. This is now the great message of the gospel to guilty man. It proclaims this accomplished work and it begs man to accept and enjoy the blessings which are offered in it freely and without price. Like Boaz Jesus bought back the whole inheritance for man. All that was lost in the first Adam is restored by the second. The Redeemer Himself now owns the inheritance which He has purchased. That which was Elimelech’s is now the property of Boaz. That which was man’s and to be in the reward of man’s obedience is now Christ’s and only to be had in the freeness and fulness of His gift. It is His own inheritance and He bestows it upon His people according to His will; according to the measure of the gift of Christ. We have everything in Him. Without Him we have nothing. He has bought back man also for Himself. His chosen flock are His purchased possession and are to be to the praise of His glory for ever. But the people of Bethlehem were not merely the witnesses of this covenant of Boaz; they were partakers of his joy. They united in their supplications for abundant blessings upon the noble and exalted plan which Boaz had proclaimed. So angels the witnesses of the covenant of our Redeemer were more than silent witnesses also. When the foundation of this wonderful work was laid in the Divine covenant these morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy. When the Saviour appeared as babe in Bethlehem they filled the heavens with their songs of praise and prayer: “Glory to God in the highest peace on earth goodwill to men.” When He was travelling in the greatness of His strength beneath His load of sorrow on the earth they ministered unto Him and strengthened Him for His work. (S. H. Tyng D. D.)

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Verse 10-11

Ruth 4:10-11

Ruth the Moabitess . . . have I purchased to be my wife.

The marriage of Boaz and Ruth

Two features which stand prominent in this description make it valuable for all time.

1. There is the publicity by which the interesting transaction was distinguished. All the people that were in the gate and the elders said “We are witnesses.” The laws and customs of every country not in the lowest stage of barbarism or in the foulest depths of licentiousness have provided that the conjugal relation shall be formed in the presence of qualified witnesses and in the observance of certain well-understood ceremonies and forms. This is appointed for reasons of obvious propriety especially to enforce fidelity and to secure permanence to the connection and by a line sufficiently distinct and broad to separate virtuous marriage from all illicit and impure connections. Clandestine marriages are always disreputable in themselves. Then--

2. Let us not leave unnoticed the religious spirit in which the union was formed. The devout benedictions of the elders and the other witnesses were showered upon Boaz and his bride with all the lavish profusion of a most hearty goodwill and prayers ascended for them to Him who in all ages has looked approvingly on virtuous wedlock. It is one of the marks of the divinity of our religion that it touches our humanity on all sides. Surely the formation of the marriage-bond pre-eminently ought to be “sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.” (A. Thomson D. D.)

A happy marriage

Ruth’s marriage was a happy one--

1. Because they could reckon on God’s blessing and doubtless both earnestly prayed for it.

2. Again we may be sure it was a happy marriage for there was a oneness of feeling between Boaz and Ruth. They both loved God. They were both journeying on one and the same road. They were partners for eternity. It matters little whether earthly comforts be many or few; if the hearts within it are bound together by that bond which is stronger even than the tie of affection--the bond of grace--then be assured there will be happiness. (Bp. Oxenden.)

What a true wife ought to be

Marriage to a certain degree a young man is to look upon from a utilitarian standpoint. A good wife is so much capital. She makes him to be by a kind of grace a great deal more than he is by nature. She contributes the qualities needed in order to convert his vigour into a safe as well as productive efficiency. She introduces for instance into his intellectual nature that ingredient of sentiment; which intellect requires in order to be able to do its best work. Heart and brain need to conspire in order to the attainment of the true and without caring to assert that man is naturally heartless any more than I should wish to assume that woman is by nature brainless yet heart in its way is just as precious as brain in its way and woman so long as she is untainted by the passion of wanting to be a man will be that member of the connubial corporation that will in particular contribute to the capital stock its affectional element. Some women may resent this but I would like to caution young men against cherishing matrimonial designs upon any woman who is likely to resent it. If what you want is a wife and not merely a housekeeper you must keep your eye well open for a warm bundle of femininity that will be to you in a personal way what the fire on the hearth is to you in a physical way--a fund of tropical comfort that will keep the stiffness out of your thinking the frost out of your feeling and the general machinery of your life in a condition of pleasurable activity. (C. H. Parkhurst D. D.)

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Verses 17-22

Ruth 4:17-22

And they called his name Obed.

Little Obed

No doubt there were circumstances connected with the birth of this child which surrounded it with a special interest. But take the birth of any child and while few events are more common few can occur on the earth which in sober reality are more momentous. What a mystery hangs over its wondrous constitution of thought and matter of soul and body! What a capacity is there of sin and suffering of holy service and blessedness l What will be its future and final destiny? The hopes of friends at such a moment are naturally sanguine woven far more of sunbeams than of shadows. And there were circumstances which made the congratulations of Ruth’s friends peculiarly glad and hopeful; for this little smiling boy folded in his young mother’s arms was not only the heir of Boaz but of Mahlon. He was to unite the family inheritances; he was to save the name of an old and honoured family in Bethlehem from being “extinguished in Israel ” and to give to Naomi and to Ruth that position of honour and consequence in Jewish society which grew out of the maternal relation. There was now “hope concerning this tree that it would yet bud and flourish.” This will account to us for the warmth of the language in which the birth of Obed was hailed. To some it may appear strange that the congratulations of the friendly women were addressed to Naomi rather than to Ruth the child’s own mother. The explanation has in part been suggested already in the fact that the birth of this child exercised so peculiar and propitious an influence over Naomi’s social position and family fortunes. It secured to her the position of a tribe-mother. It may be too that those kindly women had known Naomi and been her comforters in the days of her deep affliction when she appeared in the streets of Bethlehem claiming to be called Mara--“the woman with the sorrowful spirit”; and as they beheld her on this day of revived hopes and vanished clouds the same true sympathy that had formerly made them weep with her when she wept now made them rejoice with her when she rejoiced. That we are correct in this explanation is evident from the words of the women in which with such glad anticipations for the future there is also a looking back upon the sorrowful past.” There shall be unto thee “in this child “a restorer of thy life and a nourisher of thine old age.” How beautifully descriptive are these words of what children should aim to be to aged parents and relatives and of what there is every reason to believe this child eventually became to Naomi. The former clause brings before us the picture of a tree in whose roots there remains a kind of lingering life but which assailed by storms and smitten by other unkindly influences stands almost without leaf or blossom with no birds making music in its branches a blighted and forsaken thing. But there comes at length a genial influence of shower and sunshine and breeze which quickens within it the vegetative life and covers it with the leaves and blossoms of its earlier springs. Now Naomi’s life had been to her for many years like a long winter. But this little child would bring back to her the recollections and the joys of her happier days; the blank in her heart would be filled up; she would find something to love and cherish without restraint and this itself would be to her a well of happiness; she would remember Mahlon and Chilion in little Obed’s childish sports and expanding mind; her thoughts which had been too much turned inward upon her sorrows would hence forth go outward upon him and the future would not so much be a prolongation of the present as a return to her sunnier days--“He shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life ” and he shall be unto thee “a nourisher of thine old age.” The meaning of this is not exhausted by supposing that Naomi would never want the means of support while Obad lived but that his affluence would be her riches. It includes in it besides those thousand varied acts of respect and tenderness which we are accustomed to describe by the name of kindness. In the case of persons in advanced years many sources of enjoyment are dried up many frailties are induced the senses are dulled the power of motion is diminished not a few of their companions have been removed into the other world and they are apt to feel in their infirmity and inaction as if they had become useless to their generation. It is the duty of the young and especially of the children and descendants of the aged to endeavour to cheer them in the autumn of their life to anticipate their wishes to study their feelings to make growing frailties only another reason for growing attentions and by kind words and kinder acts to shed a calm sunshine on the path by which they are travelling to the tomb. Religion and even the instincts of our human nature command us to “stand up before the old man ” and to put honour on the hoary head. And never do children appear more lovely than when they are thus seen nourishing the old age of a father or a mother. (A. Thomson D. D.)

Lessons from the Book of Ruth

I. In the first place it seems to me that the Book of Ruth exhibits to us an eternal law of God’s kingdom; that in the worst and darkest times of the Church God has had his own people. Ever since God had a Church on earth true spiritual religion has never been utterly extinguished. Faith can always say with the apostle that there is “a remnant according to the election of grace.” When God’s holy dove is driven from cities and the abodes of men that bird of sweetest note can be heard singing in remote places even in dens and in the clefts of the rocks.

II. We may learn a lesson on the law of social life. There is throughout the book a constant reference to the Levitical law. There is the goal the redeeming kinsman. But I wish you specially to observe the beneficence of the law. I wish that some who speak of the barbarous character of the old law would take their Bibles and read the eighteenth chapter of Leviticus. You will there see that God ordained that a portion should be reserved for the poor and the stranger. The law gave a measure of wealth to the indigent. It solved in this way one of the most terrible problems of our modern society. While it did this there was an ample margin left for the exercise of private charity. The corner of the field was defined to mean a portion that in modern language would have been a poor-rate of fourpence in the pound. It was not a system of outdoor relief for the Book of Ruth shows us that there was great delicacy to be observed in giving. Depend upon it as the spirit of the Old Testament works the bitter taunt will become less and less true that England is a paradise for the rich and a purgatory for the poor.

III. There is an evangelical law connecting this book of the Old Testament with Christ Jesus our Lord.

IV. Lastly we learn the law which pervades the life of every true believer. We may learn that our lives are not random things and that there is no such thing as chance about the Christian’s life. This story of Ruth like every story of the highest sort would lead us to perfect trust in Him who wants His own dear children to lift up their hands to Him when in darkness. They must wrestle in the darkness before they can face the sunrise. God seems to keep silence when we pray. We ask and God seems not to give us the things for which we pray. Ah! but He gives us far better. (Abp. William Alexander.)

──《The Biblical Illustrator》