Ver, 18.-T/ie birtl1rltour. "And she bare a son." Memorable day that I Read to the end of the chapter: "There was a son born to Naomi ; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of DAVID." The old divines used to consider that Ruth the Moabitess becoming an ancestor of David was a prefigurement of the admission of the Gentiles into the Christian Church. Certain it is that the Jews did think this a dishonour to Davio, and Shimei in his revilings is supposed to taunt David with his descent from Ruth. But the descent of the same true spirit is the real descent of honour. _ I. THE CHILD'S NAME. Obed, a servant. It may be a remembrancer of duty. Just as the motto of the Prince of Wales is-" Ich dien,'' I serve. Any way it is beauti- ful never to despise sermce. A Christian is to be "meet for the Master's use." How many there are who are of no use in the world I Some dislike all service, and prefer the dainty hand that is never soiled, and the life that is never separated from selfishness. 11. THE BENEDICTION ON NAOMI. Naomi was there to receive congratulations. What a time for the mother in Israel to be with the new mother I There is sacred anxiety in such hours in the household. Why should the name of mother-in-law be the butt for satire? Many can testify how precious her care and kindness is in such a season. It is easy, but wicked as easy, to satirise a relationship which, if it creates responsibilities, confers also kindness which cannot be bought. Ill. THE PROPHECY CONCERNING THE BADE, How soon infancy merges into youth and manhood. In a few years Naomi will be bent and bowed. The white winter of age is coming, and then this child shall be a nourisher of Naomi's old age. A desolate time indeed for those who have no children's children to brighten their declining days, and, if needful, to succour them when friend and helper are gone. But all here is traced, as in Hebrew ;tiistory all is ever traced, to the good band of God. " Blessed be the Lord; which bath not left thee this day without a kinsman."-W. M. S. Vera. 14-17.-The benevolent happi,ness of old age. The story of Ruth closes amidst domestic prosperity and happiness, and amidst neighbourly congratulations. And it is observable that Naomi, whose trials and sorrows interest us so deeply at the commencement of this book, appears at its close radiant with renewed happiness : her daughter-in-law a mother, she herself a grand-parent, surrounded by rejoicing neighbours, expressing their congratulations, and invoking blessing upon her and those dear to her. The narrative loses sight of Ruth in picturing the felicity of her mother-in-law. The neighbours who before had asked, "Is this Naomi?" now exclaim, "There is a son born to Naomi: blessed be the Lord, wbick bath not left thee this day without a kinsman." She is encompassed with the blessings which, in the language of our poet, " should accompany old age "-" honour, love, obedience, troops of friends." I. UNSELFISHNESS is REWARDED. Naomi had all along thought more of Ruth's sorrows and of Ruth's happiness than of her own. And now this very Ruth is made the means of her prosperity, comfort, and joy in declining years. II. HoPES are FULFILLED. It was Naomi's desire that Ruth rcight attain to "rest," and her counsels had been directed to this end. Now she sees the Mu.ibitess a happy wife, a happy mother. III. A JOYOUS PROSPECT is OPENED UP. The day has been cloudy and stormy, but how brightly does the sun shine out at eventide I "A restorer of her life," "a nourisher of her old age," is given her. The child Obed becomes her delight, and her imaginations picture his manhood, and his position in an honourable line of descent. IV. SYMPATHY ENHANCES HAPPINESS. There is mutual reaction here; Ruth, Naomi, and the neighbours, with unselfish congratulations, rejoicings, and prayers, con- tribute to one another's welfare.-T.
Vers. 18-22.-The lineage of David. This book closes with a genealogy. Readers of the Scriptures may sometimes have felt perplexed at the frequency with which genealogical tables occur both in the Old Testament and in tlrn New. 'l'hc:-e is a sufficient reason for this. ,2 THE BOOK OF RUTH. [CH. IV. 1-22.
l. ScRIPTURE SANCTIONS THE INTEREST BUMAN NATURE FEELS IN GENEALOGY. No one is insensible to his own ancestry, especially if among his progenitors have been men of eminence. Interest in ancestry may be carried too far, 11.nd may spring from, and minister to, a foolish vanity, but in itself it is good. It is 11. witness to the dignity of human nature ; it may be an inspiration to worthy deeds ; it may be an incentive to transmit influences of character and culture to posterity. II. SCRIPTURE ATTACHES SPECIAL IMPORTANCE TO THE GENEALOGY OF THE DESCEND• ANTS oF ABRAHAM. Israel was the chosen people, and the lineage of the tribes of Israel, and especially of Judah, was a matter of national and local, but e.lso of world- wide, importance. III. SCRIPTURE CAREFULLY RECORDS THE GENEALOGY OF CHRIST JESUS. He was the Son of man, the Son of David, as well as the Son of God. By evincing this, pro- vision was made for commending Jesus to the reverence of the Hebrew people; for making manifest the fulfilment of prophecy, which was thus authenticated; :fior pre- senting the Saviour in all the power of his true humanity before the hume.n race, as the object of faith, attachment, and devotion. Lessons :-1. The obligations under which we individually may be laid by a pious ancestry. 2. Our debt to posterity. 3. The claims of the Son of man upon our hearts.-T. HOMILETICAL INDEX
TO
THE BOOK OF RUTH.
CHAPTER I. CHAPTER III. THEME PAGE THEME PAOI: The Emigrants and their Trials 4 Naomi's Maternal Solicitude 52 On the Book of Ruth 5 Marriage, a Woman's Rest ... 55 A Family of Bethlehem 5 Diligence in Business 55 Famine and Impoverishment 6 Filial Obedience ... 55 Emigration 6 The Joy of Harvest 56 Widowhood 7 Benediction 56 Marriage 7 A Virtuous Woman 57 Double Desolation 8 Respect for Others' Rights ... 57 A Foreign Land ... 10 Generosity 57 Longing for the Old Home ... 13 Sit Still! 68 Kindness 14 Thoughtful Love 68 Separation 14 The Work of Winnowing 58 Home Returning ... 15 Above Rubies 59 Benedictions 15 Women's Influence 59 Devoted Attachment 21 Constancy 22 CHAPTER IV. Heart Wounds Re-opened 23 The Bridal of Boaz and Ruth 65 Moral Steadfastness 24 Little Obed 67 A Primitive Council 68 CHAPTER II. The Goel 68 The Harvest-Field 32 Our Own Inheritance 69 The Gleaner 33 Honourable Conduct Honournbly Wit- He~· Hap 33 nessed ... 69 Salutations 34 The Name of the Dead 69 Filial Piety and Fidelity Recognised Good Wishes 70 and Recompensed 34 The Birth of a Son iO The Harvest-Field again 39 The Birth-Hour 71 Liberality to the Poor 40 The BenevoleDt Happiness or Old Home from the Harvest-Field 44 Age il Kindred and Kindness 45 The Lineage of David 71 Harvest-Time 45