‏ Ruth 2

* Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz. (1-3) The kindness of Boaz

to Ruth. (4-16) Ruth returns to her mother-in-law. (17-23)

1-3 Observe Ruth's humility. When Providence had made her poor,

she cheerfully stoops to her lot. High spirits will rather

starve than stoop; not so Ruth. Nay, it is her own proposal. She

speaks humbly in her expectation of leave to glean. We may not

demand kindness as a debt, but ask, and take it as a favour,

though in a small matter. Ruth also was an example of industry.

She loved not to eat the bread of idleness. This is an example

to young people. Diligence promises well, both for this world

and the other. We must not be shy of any honest employment. No

labour is a reproach. Sin is a thing below us, but we must not

think any thing else so, to which Providence call us. She was an

example of regard to her mother, and of trust in Providence. God

wisely orders what seem to us small events; and those that

appear altogether uncertain, still are directed to serve his own

glory, and the good of his people. 4-16 The pious and kind language between Boaz and his reapers

shows that there were godly persons in Israel. Such language as

this is seldom heard in our field; too often, on the contrary,

what is immoral and corrupt. A stranger would form a very

different opinion of our land, from that which Ruth would form

of Israel from the converse and conduct of Boaz and his reapers.

But true religion will teach a man to behave aright in all

states and conditions; it will form kind masters and faithful

servants, and cause harmony in families. True religion will

cause mutual love and kindness among persons of different ranks.

It had these effects on Boaz and his men. When he came to them

he prayed for them. They did not, as soon as he was out of

hearing curse him, as some ill-natured servants that hate their

master's eye, but they returned his courtesy. Things are likely

to go on well where there is such good-will as this between

masters and servants. They expressed their kindness to each

other by praying one for another. Boaz inquired concerning the

stranger he saw, and ordered her to be well treated. Masters

must take care, not only that they do no hurt themselves, but

that they suffer not their servants and those under them to do

wrong. Ruth humbly owned herself unworthy of favours, seeing she

was born and brought up a heathen. It well becomes us all to

think humbly of ourselves, esteeming others better than

ourselves. And let us, in the kindness of Boaz to Ruth, note the

kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ to poor sinners. 17-23 It encourages industry, that in all labour, even that of

gleaning, there is profit. Ruth was pleased with what she gained

by her own industry, and was careful to secure it. Let us thus

take care that we lose not those things which we have wrought,

which we have gained for our souls' good, #2Jo 1:8|. Parents

should examine their children, as Naomi did, not to frighten or

discourage them, so as to make them hate home, or tempt them to

tell a lie; but to commend them if they have done well, and with

mildness to reprove and caution them if they have done

otherwise. It is a good question for us to ask ourselves every

night, Where have I gleaned to-day? What improvement have I made

in knowledge and grace? What have I done that will turn to a

good account? When the Lord deals bountifully with us, let us

not be found in any other field, nor seeking for happiness and

satisfaction in the creature. We lose Divine favours, if we

slight them. Ruth dutifully observed her mother's directions.

And when the harvest was ended, she kept her aged mother company

at home. Dinah went out to see the daughters of the land; her

vanity ended in disgrace, #Ge 34|. Ruth kept at home, and helped

to maintain her mother, and went out on no other errand than to

get provision for her; her humility and industry ended in

preferment.