The story of the book of Ruth gives us a little glimpse into
the affairs of the Israelites, showing us that there was a deep
spirit of religion underlying the surface of wars and
captivities. The opening was at Bethlehem, "the city of
David," where, centuries later, Jesus was born. The religious
sentiment of the family is shown by the significance of their
names. R5614:1
The book of Ruth is valuable to us in various ways: (1) It
furnishes an important link in the chronological chain leading
down to King David and, hence, a part of the chronological
line leading down to the man Christ Jesus. (2) It gives a
glimpse of the habits and customs of the Israelites in general
as an agricultural people-in contrast to Judges, Kings and
Chronicles, which deal more particularly with rulers, generals
and wars. (3) It is a very beautiful lesson of fidelity, sympathy
and love amongst the people at that time. R3110:2, R4089:3
When the judges ruled -- Somewhere about Gideon's
time. R3110:3
Famine in the land -- As a judgment of the Lord upon his
people for some measure of unfaithfulness to him. R3110:3
How many forget that God will supervise the affairs of all his
covenant people and cause all things to work together for
good to them. R3110:6
And a certain man -- Making the common mistake of
choosing temporal prosperity rather than suffering affliction
with the people of God. R4089:6
Of Bethlehem-Judah -- "The city of David." R5614:1
Went to sojourn -- Thus leaving the privileges of
association with God's people, and failing also to contribute
toward their comfort and encouragement in time of distress.
R4089:6
Country of Moab -- The Moabites were descendants of
Lot, but were not to be considered the children of Abraham.
R3110:3
It would not have been proper to try to convert the Moabites,
for God had only called Israel. R5614:2
And his wife -- Naomi, however, was not to blame; the
responsibility rested with her husband. R3110:5
Elimelech -- Meaning, "My God is King." R5614:1
Naomi -- Meaning, "Loveable, pleasant" or "The pleasure
of Jehovah." R3111:4, 5614:1
The religious sentiment of the family is shown by the import
of their names. R5614:1
His two sons -- Mahlon "Sickly one" and Chilion "Pining
one." R5614:1
Continued there -- It was unwise to take two boys into a
heathen land where they were likely to be contaminated.
Many Christians have made the same mistake. R5614:2
Women of Moab -- The Bible does not disguise the fact
that Ruth was, by nature, a foreigner, a Gentile, and at one
time an idolatress. R5614:5
With her daughters In law -- Showing Naomi's character,
to influence both daughters-in-law to prefer to leave their
homeland and join her, though only Ruth finally made the
journey. R5614:2
Might return -- She realized it had been a mistake to
attempt to regulate their own affairs when they were specially
under the Lord's protection and guidance. R3110:3
Return with thee -- Though Naomi and her husband had
erred in judgment they were still loyal to God and had let
their light shine. Both daughters-in-law had been influenced
by it. R4090:1
Why will ye go -- As our Lord advised those who would
become his disciples, first of all to sit down and count the
cost. R3111:1
Against me -- The hand of the Lord against her had a
proper influence upon her and brought her back to the land of
promise. R5614:2
Is gone back -- Orpah concluding that after all it would be
too much of a sacrifice for her to part with her kindred, etc.
R3111:2
Whither thou goest -- "Forget also thy father's house and
thine own people." (Psa. 45:10) R4090:4
I will go -- The positiveness of her decision is worthy of
note. A Christian does not become a Christian without just
such a positive decision. R5614:4
Where thou lodgest -- All of the Lord's people can dwell
together in love, in fellowship, seated together in heavenly
places. R4090:5
Thy people -- Next to the Lord are his people. To love
him is to love them and meet with them. R4090:4
Shall be my people -- Though a Gentile by birth, Ruth
became a sincere Jewish proselyte. R4089:3
So surely as any of God's people are found, they are all
brethren of one family. R5615:1
My God -- Ruth was converted to Judaism. This is a
testimony to the faithful living of Naomi. R5614:3
We who by nature were Gentiles have by God's grace become
spiritual Israelites; and should determine that henceforth
former conditions, interests, pleasures and relationships are
gone forever. R4090:2
Call me not Naomi -- "Loveable, pleasant" or "The
pleasure of Jehovah." R3111:4, R5614:1
Call me Mara -- "Bitter." R3111:4, R351:2*
Testified against me -- Later on she came to see that the
Lord's afflictions upon her had been for her good, bringing
her back to the land of promise and to fellowship with her
people. R3111:4
With her -- Alone, unprotected, but without molestation;
showing the general law and order prevalent among the
Israelites. R3111:6
Boaz -- Whose mother was Rahab, also a Jewish proselyte
(Josh. 6:25). R4089:3
Glean -- The harvest work is going grandly on. R5950:1
Perhaps descriptive of harvest work after 1914. R5602:3
At first we were inclined to surmise that the Harvest proper
closed in October 1914, and that the work going on was a
gleaning work; but the facts seem not to bear this out.
R5950:1
Gleaned -- Gathering stray handfuls of grain missed by the
men who were reaping. This was permitted by Jewish Law.
(Lev. 19:9) R3111:5
The LORD be with you -- How few employers in this day
would be inclined to salute their laborers thus. R3111:6
The LORD bless thee -- How few farm laborers would in
this day respond in such a manner. Evidently men were far
from monkeys at that time! R3111:6
Barley harvest -- The barley harvest commences about
half a month after the vernal equinox (March 21) R4127:1
Lay thee down -- Here again Naomi betrayed the
weakness of her trust in God, but God in kindness overruled
all for good. R4090:2
She lay at his feet -- The advice of Naomi to Ruth
concerning Boaz was not of unalloyed wisdom. Such a
course today would brand any woman as a loose, if not
disreputable, character. R4090:2
Let it not be known -- Boaz feared such reproach upon
Ruth's character. R4090:2
I will redeem it -- Representing "The Son of The Man,"
the Redeemer of Adam's lost possessions. E153
Have I purchased -- "The redemption (deliverance) of the
purchased possession." (Eph. 1:14) E153
To be my wife -- Boaz pursued the course of the Jewish
Law; Ruth became his wife. Thus Ruth, the Gentile, became
identified with the royal family as an ancestor, and with King
David's greatest Son and Lord, Jesus. R5614:5, R3111:5
Jesse begat David -- The chief object of the book of Ruth
is to preserve an authentic record of our Lord's human
ancestry. R4089:3