Ruth 1
SIBHere we have Naomi, (1) As a distressed housekeeper, forced by a famine from Beth-lehem-judah into the land of Moab with her family; 1, 2. (2) As a distressed widow, bewailing the death of Elimelech her husband, and of Mahlon and Chilton her sons
Ruth 1:3-5
(3) As a distressed mother-in-law, returning to her own country; parting, in sorrow, with Orpah, one of her daughters-in-law; and reluctantly taking Ruth, the other, along with her, in fear and perplexity
Ruth 1:6-18
(4) As a poor destitute woman, remitted by providence to her former abode, a spectacle of wretchedness, to live on the bounty of her friends
Ruth 1:19-22
About 1320, in the time of Ehud. Judg. iii. Heb. judged. Gen. 12, 10. & 43, 10. 34, with Deut. 28, 23, 24. Ps. 120, 5. ver. 4. & 19, 1, 2, 18. 1 Sam. 17, 12. 1 Chr. 4 4. Heb. were. & 23, 2. Neb. 13, 1, 1 Kin. 11, 1, 2. Ver. 14. Mat. 1, 5. ob. ii—iv. — 36. Nov. 2, 6—14. Is. 13, Ps. 90, 27, 28. Nov. 14 1— Ps. 68, 5. Nov. 21, 1. Nov. 30, 8. Nov. 17, 17. NOW it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife, and his two sons. 2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilton, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. 3 And Elimelech, Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5 And Mahlon and Chilton died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. 6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. 7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her: and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. 8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-law, Go, ‘return each to her mother’s house: ’the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead and with me. Before Christ about .210. Ch. 2. 11. 9 The LORD grant you that ye ‘may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then ‘she kissed them: and they lifted up their voice, and wept. Ch. 3. 1. Eph. 5. 22. Gen. 29. 11. & 21. 28. 53. Ver. 14. 10 And they said unto her, Surely we will ‘return with thee unto thy people. Pr. 16. 3. & 119. 62. 11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they ‘may be your husbands? Dent. 25. 5. Gen. 33. 11. 12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am ’too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to-night, and should also bear sons; 1 Tim. 5. 9. Gen. 17. 17. & 16. 11. 12. Or if I were with an husband. 13 Would ye starry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? Nay, my daughters; for sit grieveth me much for your sakes ’that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me. Heb. 1 here new ‘bitterness’ Job 19. 21. Pr. 39. 9. 14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah ‘kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth ‘clave unto her. Ver. 9. Gen. 31. 28. 1 Km. 19. 20. 15 And she said, Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: ‘return thou after thy sister-in-law. & 19. 17. & 13. 27. 29. 1 Km. 19. 20. 16 And Ruth said, *6 Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest I will go; and where thou lodgest I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Josh. 24. 12. 2 Km. 2. 2. Luke 24. 23. 17 Where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried: ’the LORD do so Or he not against me. Acts 21. 13. Mat. 16. 25. 24. 1 Ch. 1. 1. 9. 2 Cor. 6. 14-15. 1 Sam. 3. 17. & 25. 22. 2 Sam. 2. 9. 3. 1 Km. 2. 2. 8. 9. 2. & 20. 10. Ga. 2. 10. Act. 11. 20. REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. 1.—Numerous and diversified are the arrows in God’s quiver for the punishment of men’s sins: and often, while his enemies riot in plenty, his people are pinched with scarcity and want. A diligent care to provide for our family is highly commendable: but it is seldom safe to flee from God’s land, though he frown on it; or to suffer scarcity of bread to draw us from the ordinances of God. It is not in fleeing from God’s mighty hand, but in humbling ourselves under it, that safety lies. It is not in outrunning crosses, but in taking them up, and following Christ, that true comfort is to be had. Young people often mistake in their marriage, through want or neglect of their parents’ advice. But marriages and deaths are near neighbours; and one death in a family is but the forerunner and warning of another. Both comforts and crosses are often nearer us than we suspect: and, if we are shut up into the society of the wicked, we should escape for our life as soon as our hindrances are removed. It is a mercy when God embitters our condition of distance from himself, that we may be weaned from it, and hastened to our heavenly home: but yet it is pleasant to see near relations knit together in love, and loth to part. With the most strong and fixed resolution should we set out in the Lord’s way, as we know not what repeated and strong temptations we may have to turn back: but the difficulties of the way which discourage the temporary believer will but bind the faithful soul the more closely to Jesus Christ. Nothing, no not death, can separate them from him and his people. Poverty and age make great alterations on mankind: and it is proper that all around should remark it with solemn awe and cordial sympathy: for surely it is but madness to set our heart on that comeliness and wealth which so quickly fade. Let us therefore keep waiting on God in the way of his judgments: in patience possessing our souls; eyeing the Lord’s hand in all that we meet with; humbling ourselves under humbling providences; mourning, but never murmuring, under his hand; and ever remarking how the minutest circumstances of our lives are directed by the overruling providence of God. 11