Ruth ii. 4. And, behold, Boaz came from BetJilehem, and said nnfo the reapers. The Lord be ivith yon. And they answer ed him. The Lord bless thee.
EVERY season suggests to us some appropriate considerations : and even the most common incidents of life are capable of affording us very important instruction. Certainly, at first sight, a man's inter- course with his reapers would not promise much for spiritual edification: but the address of Boaz to his people, and their reply to him, were altogether so different from what is usual in our day, that we shall find our time not unprofitably employed in the investigation of them.
I. Their mutual address is the first thing to be con- sidered—
It may be understood in a two-fold view ; 1. As a friendly salutation —
[It seems probable that, if not at that time, yet in after ages, this kind of address was common in the time of harvest ^. But, as used on this occasion, it deserves peculiar notice ; both as expressing great condescension and kindness on his part, and as evincing much respect and gratitude on theirs. Boaz, it must be remembered, was " a mighty man of wealth ^ : " and therefore any notice from him might be deemed an act of condescension, and more especially this, which conveyed to their minds such a sense of paternal love. And their reply argued a becoming feeling of filial respect. Into how many fields might we go, before we heard such greetings as these ! How much more frequently might we hear complaints respect- ing the work, on the one part ; and murmuring concerning the wages, on the other part ! Notwithstanding the superior advantages we enjoy, and the higher attainments which, in consequence, we might be expected to make in every thing that was amiable and praiseworthy, how uncommon an occur- rence should we deem it, if we chanced to witness such greetings in the present day ! The true picture of modern life may be drawn in those words of Solomon, " The poor useth entreaties ; but the rich answereth roughly '^."]
a Ps. cxxix. 7, 8- t, ver. 1. <= Prov. xviii. 23.