Gleanings from the Book of Ruth.
The Book of Ruth is supposed to have been written in the reign of her great-grandson, perhaps by his own pen. It is a beautifully interesting story. As a fragment of history, it is connected with the birth of David and of David's Lord. As a record of God's providence, it shows how "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."
The two chief personages in this Book, the hero and heroine of the narrative, are Boaz, the near kinsman of Naomi, "the mighty man of wealth" in Bethlehem, and Ruth, the Moabitess, the stranger and foreigner, who left her own people and her father's false gods, and came to put her trust beneath the shadow of Jehovah's wings.
We will look at the hero first, because, though the Book is called by Ruth's name, all her honour was derived from her connection with Israel, the chosen nation, to which Boaz naturally belonged, and because, as we think of his riches, his faithfulness, and his kindness, we cannot help exclaiming, "Surely a Greater than Boaz is here!" He was the near kinsman of Naomi's husband, and the same Hebrew word is called "redeemer" (Job xix. 25). And how often we speak of Jesus as "the Redeemer," who "gave Himself a Ransom for many." The ancient "goel," or "near kinsman," had many important rights and responsibilities. Abraham was nearly related to Lot, and when the latter was taken prisoner, his uncle took all his servants with him and went to the rescue, because he was his near kinsman, and he redeemed him by conquest, through the help of God, in whom he trusted (Gen. xiv.).
If a man of Israel died, leaving no children to take his property, his "near kinsman," if unmarried, was expected to marry the widow, and the children that they might have afterwards were to be called by the name and take the lands of the first husband.
If a Hebrew became poor, and sold his land—or, still worse, sold himself for a slave—his kinsman was expected to redeem him and his possessions if he could (Lev. xxv. 25, 47-49).
Thus Boaz, as Naomi's kinsman, redeemed her inheritance, and married the childless widow of her son Chilion, the woman who was no longer to be called a stranger and a foreigner, but a fellow-subject of Israel's God and King.
So Jesus—who redeemed His Church, His bride, His people, and secured to them the rich inheritance they had lost by sin—was, and is, the Near Kinsman of His beloved ones. They were, and always will be, "a people near unto Him" (Psa. cxlviii. 14). His own kindred He called them when He came to redeem them (Matt. xii. 50). His Father loved them, and He loved them also, and the kindness of God the Saviour was shown when He came down from heaven for their sakes. "Kindness!" Sweet word! It means the act of a kinsman, and God's kindness is "loving-kindness," the sweetest description we can possibly have of the tender pity and grace of the Lord.
But the kindness shown by Boaz was only a dim shadow of the love of the "Great Redeemer from above." He did not make much sacrifice apparently when he purchased Naomi's inheritance and made Ruth his wife, but "ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich."
And more, far more, than this—He suffered scorn, and shame, and death itself—the bitterest of deaths. He gave Himself—He laid down the life that was so dear to Himself, so precious to His Father—that He might redeem, buy them back to God by His blood. He endured their punishment, He paid their debts, and then, since Satan had made them his slaves, like Abraham, Jesus fought for His kindred, only He fought alone. He conquered the strong one, and set the captives free, and Satan still must yield up his prey at Christ's command. The Redeemer ever proves Himself "mighty to save" those for whom He died.
Then Ruth furnishes us with a striking picture of one who is seeking Jesus.
She was not a native of the promised land—not born of Israelitish parents. She reminds us of what Paul says—we all are, as sinners, "children of disobedience," "children of wrath," "far from God by wicked works." But a change came over her mind and spirit. "The Lord opened her heart to attend unto the things spoken" by Naomi. A new, a heavenly light dawned upon her, and she saw the evil of idolatry and sin—the beauty of holiness and God—so that, like Moses, she "chose rather to suffer affliction with His people than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." She would sooner "lodge" with Naomi in poverty, than dwell in comfort among her former companions; and before she thought of being enriched and made happy by Boaz, she had "chosen that good part" which shall never be taken away from those who seek and find it.
The diligent shall be made prosperous, and Ruth gleaned in the fields of Boaz before she knew anything of the relationship he bore to her late husband's family. She was not ashamed to labour as a poor and needy woman, and she gained a good supply of corn from her work by the special favour of Boaz.
There is a remarkable little word connected with her choice of that field. It was her "hap" to light upon it—a word not very often found in the Bible, which always traces everything, great or small, to the will and permission of God. Yet this syllable of three letters came "of purpose" into the record, and teaches us that all the "accidents" of our lives, pleasant as well as painful, are directed and overruled by the Lord. Things "come to pass," and we are filled with wonder, but it is because "He doeth all things well."
About thirty years ago, one Sabbath morning, a group of youths were starting from Clerkenwell, intending to spend the day gathering blackberries in Highgate Woods. It so happened that a dispute arose just outside the chapel where my late dear Pastor preached, and one lad refused to go any further with his companions. To while away the time he peeped into the chapel just as the hymn, "When Thou, my righteous Judge, shalt come," was being given out, and he ventured to slip into a seat in the gallery. He was so much impressed by what he heard that he came again, was savingly converted to God, was baptized, and remained for many years an honourable member of the Church. His "hap was to light upon" a field of Gospel corn, and he received a rich blessing, but his steps, like Ruth's, were directed by the Lord.[14]
And we learn the benefit of wise, Christian counsel. Ruth needed Naomi very much, poor and lonely though she was. From her she learned the good news of the rich man's kinship; from her she received instructions how to act so as to ensure his protection and care. Her conduct, strange as it would be to-day, was in those early times quite in harmony with the behaviour of a virtuous, modest woman, but it has its chief charm when we see in it a picture of one who is seeking Jesus.
Some dear Christian friend, like Naomi, encourages and instructs the youthful seeker by telling of the love and grace of the Saviour, and saying, as a beloved minister once said to a young person, "I cannot give you the blessing; He can." Naomi wanted the help of Boaz as well as Ruth, and all God's people, old or young, strong or weak, need and crave the loving care of Jesus, but it is a privilege and joy to commend one another to Him, and tell of His goodness and grace "who is rich unto all that call upon Him."
In seeking Ruth's happiness Naomi found her own great joy (see chap. iv. 14). In dutiful consideration for Naomi, Ruth obtained a hundred-fold more than she could ever have hoped to find, as an honoured wife and mother favoured with both earthly and heavenly prosperity. Those who honour God He will honour. Those who water others shall be watered themselves. May we receive from the Lord that spirit of love which seeks the welfare of others, and the glory of God, as well as our own happiness.
Our next subject will be, Isaiah xxxv. 8—The King's Highway, and its Travellers.
Your affectionate friend,
H. S. L.