Chapter 2:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 Judges 1 Samuel
Ruth 2
Concise Complete
Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz. (1-3) The kindness of
Boaz to Ruth. (4-16) Ruth returns to her mother-in-law. (17-23)
Verses 1-3 Observe
Ruth's humility. When Providence had made her poor, she cheerfully stoops to her
lot. High spirits will rather starve than stoop; not so Ruth. Nay, it is her own
proposal. She speaks humbly in her expectation of leave to glean. We may not
demand kindness as a debt, but ask, and take it as a favour, though in a small
matter. Ruth also was an example of industry. She loved not to eat the bread of
idleness. This is an example to young people. Diligence promises well, both for
this world and the other. We must not be shy of any honest employment. No labour
is a reproach. Sin is a thing below us, but we must not think any thing else so,
to which Providence call us. She was an example of regard to her mother, and of
trust in Providence. God wisely orders what seem to us small events; and those
that appear altogether uncertain, still are directed to serve his own glory, and
the good of his people.
Verses 4-16 The
pious and kind language between Boaz and his reapers shows that there were godly
persons in Israel. Such language as this is seldom heard in our field; too
often, on the contrary, what is immoral and corrupt. A stranger would form a
very different opinion of our land, from that which Ruth would form of Israel
from the converse and conduct of Boaz and his reapers. But true religion will
teach a man to behave aright in all states and conditions; it will form kind
masters and faithful servants, and cause harmony in families. True religion will
cause mutual love and kindness among persons of different ranks. It had these
effects on Boaz and his men. When he came to them he prayed for them. They did
not, as soon as he was out of hearing curse him, as some ill-natured servants
that hate their master's eye, but they returned his courtesy. Things are likely
to go on well where there is such good-will as this between masters and
servants. They expressed their kindness to each other by praying one for
another. Boaz inquired concerning the stranger he saw, and ordered her to be
well treated. Masters must take care, not only that they do no hurt themselves,
but that they suffer not their servants and those under them to do wrong. Ruth
humbly owned herself unworthy of favours, seeing she was born and brought up a
heathen. It well becomes us all to think humbly of ourselves, esteeming others
better than ourselves. And let us, in the kindness of Boaz to Ruth, note the
kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ to poor sinners.
Verses 17-23 It
encourages industry, that in all labour, even that of gleaning, there is profit.
Ruth was pleased with what she gained by her own industry, and was careful to
secure it. Let us thus take care that we lose not those things which we have
wrought,
2 johnshould
examine their children, as Naomi did, not to frighten or discourage them, so as
to make them hate home, or tempt them to tell a lie; but to commend them if they
have done well, and with mildness to reprove and caution them if they have done
otherwise. It is a good question for us to ask ourselves every night, Where have
I gleaned to-day? What improvement have I made in knowledge and grace? What have
I done that will turn to a good account? When the Lord deals bountifully with
us, let us not be found in any other field, nor seeking for happiness and
satisfaction in the creature. We lose Divine favours, if we slight them. Ruth
dutifully observed her mother's directions. And when the harvest was ended, she
kept her aged mother company at home. Dinah went out to see the daughters of the
land; her vanity ended in disgrace,
genesis 34. Ruth kept at home, and helped to maintain her mother, and went out on no other errand than to get provision for her; her humility and industry ended in preferment.
Chapter 2:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 Judges 1 Samuel
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
