May 1924
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K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
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has rich relatives, she seems to have been either too proud or perhaps too broken in spirit, to go to them for assistance. The right to glean was conferred by law on widows, the poor, strangers. (Lev. 19:9, 10) “ And -when ye reap the harvest o f yonr land, thon shalt not wholly reap the corners o f thy field, neither shalt thon gather the gleanings o f thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thon gather every grape o f the vineyard; thon shalt leave them for the poor and stranger; I am the Lord yonr God.” (Dent. 24; 19-21). So Ruth went to the field and “ her hap was to light on the part of the field belonging to Boaz.” But we are sure that “ her hap” was Divinely ordered. (Gen. 24:27) "I being in the way, the Lord led me.” God is always near at hand and ready to guide the soul seeking for grace. The salutation of Boaz, as he comes to the field and greets the workers, exhibits liberty, equality, fraternity. “ The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee.” Then his eye lights on Ruth and he inquires re garding her. Her plea to be allowed to glean finds favor with him, and in the kindest language he sets her fears at rest. (v. 11) It must have been a great surprise to her to know that her history was fully known to Boaz, and that he knew of her kindness, her self-denial, her confidence and her con secration. Boaz encouraged her industry by giving her permission to continue to glean. Returning to Naomi that evening, she told her of the wonderful experience which the day had brought her, and the name of her benefactor. Immediately a plan sug gests itself to Naomi. She instructs Ruth to continue gleaning to the end of the harvest and then unfolds it. (3) RUTH RESTING, Ch. 3. “ Shall I not seek rest for thee,” v. 1. The course of procedure suggested by Naomi and fol lowed by Ruth was in full accordance with Hebrew law (Deut 25:5-10). They simply claimed a recognized right and reminded Boaz of his duty. There have been many changes in customs since that time, and while it would seem strange to us today, under the circumstances, Ruth’s conduct was perfectly honorable, modest and proper. We have here four views of Ruth. (1) Lying at Boaz’s feet-—the place of dependence. (2) Looking for his bless ing, “ Thou art a near kinsman—-I am thine handmaid.’’’ (3) Leaning on his promise. He had promised that he would take the kinsman’s place, and she rested in perfect faith. (4) Laden with his gifts. In the morning he sent her aWay with tokens of his favor. (4) RUTH REWARDED Ch. 4. “ So Boaz took Ruth and she was his wife.” v. 13. Ruth gained more by resting than by gleaning. So Christians may achieve more by the rest of faith, in prayer ful, believing communion with Christ, than by any amount of work undertaken in their own strength. Boaz seems to have gone early to the gate (the place where all public business was transacted) for the purpose of conferring with the “ other kinsman” of whom he had spoken to Ruth. The duties of a kinsman-redeemer are de fined in Lev. 25:25-28; Deut. 25:5, 6. Boaz puts the situation clearly before the man (whose name is not given) but he declines to assume the obliga tion, perhaps from prejudice, selfishness or indifference,— we are not told. All other claims having been relinquished in Boaz’ favor, Boaz redeems his promise, purchases the field and claims Ruth as his wife. Henceforth she is no more an alien, but a daughter of Israel, a true picture of that which the believer receives through union with Jesus Christ. He
Naomi is a penitent backslider. She is honest and makes a full confession. There are serious lessons for the back slider. (Jer. 2:19) “Thine own w ickedness shall eorrect thee, and thy backslid- ings shall reprove thee; know , therefore, and see that it is an evil th in s and hitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God o f hosts.” This is a companion picture to that of the prodigal in Luke when he says: “ In my Father’s house there is bread enough and to spare.” The first step of the backslider away from God is fatal, but the outstretched arms of the father, and the remembrance of the blessings in the home land, are designed of God to bring him back. The three women have journeyed together for a little season when Naomi urges them to return, each to her mother’s house. She bestows a blessing upon them and gives them her parting kiss. She loves them, but they are aliens—Moabites— and there was a special ban upon the Moabites (Deut. 23:3). She has no hope for them in Israel, no prospects for husbands for them, and in the bit terness of her soul she says “ The hand of the Lord is gone out against me.” Orpah yields to her pleading and returns; but Ruth cleaves to her mother-in-law, though no promise or hope is held out to her. To go with Naomi she must die to her own kindred, her own interests, to any hope of a husband. She must expect sorrow and suffering. The tests put to her are the tests put to every one who will follow Christ (Mark 8:34) “ Whosoever w ill come after me, let kim deny himself, and take np his cross, and fo llow me.” It means the back towards the world and the face to wards Christ; to live a life misunderstood by the world; to know something of persecution; to be counted as brain less, foolish, “ A fool for Christ’s sake” as Paul says. But it means, too, peace, rest, joy. Ruth made an intelligent choice. Naomi occupied her heart and Ruth clave to her. This is the love that should be ours for Christ. He should be everything to us. By grace, we are crucified, buried, raised, seated and glorified together with Him. Ruth’s choice was definite, as was that of Rebekah (Gen. 24:58). She faced hardship, poverty, derision, many dis appointments. She sacrificed her ambition. (Psa. 45:10). She pledges her love and loyalty to Naomi, as did Ittai to David (2 Sam. 15:21) and declares that nothing but death shall part them. Ruth’s choice was the result of deep conviction, not im pulse. Her affections were centered in Naomi. She had learned her worth. She had in her heart the power of a new affection. She counted the cost. She made a full sur render. She found it true that renunciation is the step ping-stone in life. Her resolution stifled temptation. With her it was “ This one thing I do; forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forth unto the things which are before, I press forward.” (Phil. 3:13). She was fully persuaded, and strengthened her state ment with a vow. All bridges were burned behind her. (2) RUTH GLEANING, Ch, 2. “ Let me now go*** and glean.” v. 2. In this chapter we are introduced to Boaz, a kinsman of Naomi. His name signifies “ Strength.” From the facts given concerning him it would seem that he was a model gentleman, a model farmer, a model employer. Note his attention and courtesy to Ruth, his attention to the work, and his kindness to his employees. It is Ruth who makes the suggestion that she be allowed to join the gleaners in his harvest field. Though Naomi
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