 |  |
when read in the light of the law of Moses, to which we must make reference later. We
do not give here the full outline of this first chapter, but give the outline of 1: 8-18.
Ruth 1: 8 - 18.
A | 1: 8-18. |
d1 |
Ye dealt kindly with me.
e1
| "Rest" in house of husband.
e1
| "Tarry" for husband.
d1 |
The Lord against me.
f | Orpah. Kissed.
Ruth. Clave.
d2 |
She has gone back.
e2
| Her people. Her gods.
d2 |
Intreat me not to leave.
e2
| Thy people. Thy God.
In those days the lot of an unmarried woman was such that marriage with almost
anyone, however irksome, was preferable. Naomi speaks of Orpah and Ruth "finding
rest" (menuchah) in the house of a husband. The same word is repeated in Ruth 3: 1,
"Shall I not seek rest for thee?" This figure, too, is prophetic; for in Isaiah we find
marriage terms employed to describe the glory of that future day when Israel shall be
restored. In Isa. 62: we read that Israel shall be called Hephzi-bah, "My delight is in
her", and the land Beulah, "Married" (4). Again, in Isa. 32::
"And My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in
quiet resting places (menuchah)" (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; 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