Bible in 365 Days

Ruth 1-4

Ruth 1

The Book of Ruth stands in striking contrast to the Book of Judges and yet is closely connected with it. In Judges the national outlook has been presented and so dark has it been as to create the impression of universal pollution. The story of Ruth illustrates the truth that God has never left Himself without witness.

During a time of famine, Elimelech, his wife, and two sons went into the country of Moab to find bread and to escape trouble. It is questionable whether their action was justified. Their sons married Moabite women. It is evident, however, that their action was rather blundering than willful rebellion. There they maintained their faith in the one God. When, bereft of her husband and two sons, Naomi turned her face again to her own country, she urged her daughters in-law to leave her and settle among their own people. This was the occasion of that choice of Ruth which in its devotion and in the manner in which she expressed it has become universally accepted as an illustration of fidelity of love. The story, however, reveals that love for Naomi was not the deepest note in her decision. That was struck when she used the expression, ". . . Thy God [shall be] my God."

The language of Naomi at the home-coming shows that she looked upon the sorrows that had come to her as God's testimony against her and His affection of her. There was, however, no touch of rebellion in what she said but rather a gracious recognition of chastisement, showing that she had learned the lessons it was intended to teach.

Ruth 2

The women went home to poverty, where the practical problems of life faced them. These were, of course, rendered the more difficult by the fact that Ruth was a Moabitess. Yet she it was who faced the fight and went forth as a gleaner to gather what would suffice for their present sustenance.

The human side of things is beautifully expressed in the words, "Her hap was to light on the portion of the field belonging unto Boaz." All the issues reveal the divine overruling.

In this story of Ruth gleaning the principal interest centers in Boaz. The lines of his picture are few, but they are strong and a man of fine quality is revealed. His greeting to his laborers, "Jehovah be with you," and their ready response, "Jehovah bless thee," reveal the happy relationship between him and those serving him and show him a man of strong and yet natural religious life. His presence in the field, overseeing the affairs of harvest, and his quick recognition of the strange girl gleaning show the man of business capacity. Then all the rest of the story evidences the graciousness of his temper and the greatness of his heart.

In all probability he knew a Moabite woman would not be very cordially welcomed among his people, and therefore he provided for her with assiduous care. His influence is at once seen in the absence of objection among the people and their readiness to cooperate with him.

In short, Boaz stands out as a man of the finest fiber, simple, and strongly living in a degenerate age.

Ruth 3

Necessarily, gleaning as a means of livelihood can last only through harvest time. Consequently, Naomi was anxious about the future, especially Ruth's future.

As the outcome of this anxiety we have the story of her advice to interest Boaz more fully and to bring about a marriage between him and Ruth. Necessarily, the expedient to which she resorted must be judged, as we have so constantly to remember, in the light of her own age. Notwithstanding this, however, it can hardly be characterized as other than doubtful, and on the basis of faith it is difficult to justify it. Yet here again Naomi is seen as acting as the result of an error of judgment rather than in willful disobedience, and fie overruling love of God moved on to beneficent issue.

One element, and that perhaps the strongest which this venture reveals, is the confidence which Naomi evidently had in Boaz. In order to provide for the future, her appeal should have been made to one nearer of kin, but the whole attitude of Boaz toward Ruth had inspired such confidence in him that it was through him she hoped for succor. On the whole the story of her venture is rather to the credit of Boaz than to that of Naomi and Ruth.

Ruth 4

The nobility and faithfulness of Boaz are clearly manifested in this story. It is hardly possible to read this Book without being convinced that Boaz had already found himself in love with Ruth, which accounts for the fact that he was ready and willing to take the responsibility of the next of kin. However, there was one who had a prior right and in loyalty to the law of his people Boaz gave him his opportunity.

The picture presented of the gathering of the elders in the gate and the legal statement of the case is interesting. The next of kin had a perfect right to abandon his claim if another were ready to assume it. This he did, and seeing that Boaz was ready to assume responsibility, he was justified in doing so on the ground that he did not desire to run the risk of impoverishing his own family, for it was evident that Boaz was well able to fulfil all the obligations of the case.

The whole story ends with poetic simplicity and beauty. "So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. . . ." Nothing need be added to indicate the joy and reward of two faithful souls. Moreover, Naomi was comforted at last. The women of her own people spoke words of cheer to her, which unquestionably must have been full of comfort as they sang the praise of the one who had chosen to share her affliction and had become the medium of her succor.

There is a stately simplicity in the closing sentences. Of the child born to Ruth and Boaz it is said, "They called his name Obed; he is the father of Jesse, the father of David." In these final words is manifest the divine movement in the history of chosen people. And yet a larger issue followed as centuries passed. From this union sprang at last, as to the flesh, Jesus the Messiah.