 |  |
"And My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in
quiet resting places (menuchah)" (Isa. 32: 18).
The contrast between Orpah and Ruth is most marked. Orpah "kissed" her
mother-in-law; but Ruth "clave" to her. Orpah went back to "her people" and to "her
gods", but Ruth chooses Naomi's "people" and Naomi's "God".
The beauty of the words of Ruth as recorded in verses 16 and 17 will move the
heart so long as the world endures. They are comparable with the lowly act of love
which the Saviour said should be remembered wheresoever the gospel was preached
(Matt. 26: 13).
"Intreat 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. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so
to me and more also, if ought but death part thee and me" (Ruth 1: 16, 17).
And so these two took the long road back to Bethlehem, and arrived there at the
beginning of the barley harvest. There are no accidents in God's providence. His hand
guided; His heart planned, and Boaz, all unwittingly, was awaiting his appointed time
and work.
We are now ready to take up the great story of the Kinsman-Redeemer as it is
unfolded in the central section of this beautiful little book. May the faithfulness of Ruth
be an inspiration to each of us in these days when so many seem to do "that which is right
in the sight of their own eyes".
For the sake of those readers who appreciate structural outlines in detail, and wish to
have them as complete as possible, we give below the structure of verses 19-22.
Ruth 1: 19-22.
A | B | 1: 19-22. |
g | Came to Bethlehem.
h | Is this Naomi?
i1 | Call me not Naomi.
j1 | Call me Mara.
The Lord hath dealt bitterly with me.
i1 | I went out full.
j1 | Brought back empty.
i2 | Why call me Naomi?
j2 | The Lord testified against me.
The Almighty hath afflicted me.
g | Came to Bethlehem.
h | Beginning of barley harvest.