Chapter 3:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 Judges 1 Samuel
Ruth 3
Concise Complete
The directions given to Ruth by Naomi. (1-5) Boaz
acknowledges the duty of a kinsman. (6-13) Ruth's return to her mother-in-law.
(14-18)
Verses 1-5 The
married state should be a rest, as much as any thing upon earth can be so, as it
ought to fix the affections and form a connexion for life. Therefore it should
be engaged in with great seriousness, with earnest prayers for direction, for
the blessing of God, and with regard to his precepts. Parents should carefully
advise their children in this important concern, that it may be well with them
as to their souls. Be it always remembered, That is best for us which is best
for our souls. The course Naomi advised appears strange to us; but it was
according to the laws and usages of Israel. If the proposed measure had borne
the appearance of evil, Naomi would not have advised it. Law and custom gave
Ruth, who was now proselyted to the true religion, a legal claim upon Boaz. It
was customary for widows to assert this claim,
deuteronomy
25:5-10. But this is not recorded for imitation in other times, and is not
to be judged by modern rules. And if there had been any evil in it, Ruth was a
woman of too much virtue and too much sense to have listened to it.
Verses 6-13 What in
one age or nation would be improper, is not always so in another age or another
nation. Being a judge of Israel, Boaz would tell Ruth what she should do; also
whether he had the right of redemption, and what methods must be taken, and what
rites used, in order to accomplishing her marriage with him or another person.
The conduct of Boaz calls for the highest praise. He attempted not to take
advantage of Ruth; he did not disdain her as a poor, destitute stranger, nor
suspect her of any ill intentions. He spoke honourably of her as a virtuous
woman, made her a promise, and as soon as the morning arrived, sent her away
with a present to her mother-in-law. Boaz made his promise conditional, for
there was a kinsman nearer than he, to whom the right of redemption belonged.
Verses 14-18 Ruth
had done all that was fit for her to do, she must patiently wait the event.
Boaz, having undertaken this matter, would be sure to manage it well. Much more
reason have true believers to cast their care on God, because he has promised to
care for them. Our strength is to sit still,
isaiah 30:7. This
narrative may encourage us to lay ourselves by faith at the feet of Christ: He
is our near Kinsman; having taken our nature upon him. He has the right to
redeem. Let us seek to receive from him his directions: Lord, what wilt thou
have me to do?
acts 9:6.
He will never blame us as doing this unseasonably. And let us earnestly desire
and seek the same rest for our children and friends, that it may be well with
them also.
Chapter 3:
| 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
