READINGS IN THE BOOK OF RUTH
READINGS IN THE BOOK OF RUTH
As we have seen, chapter 2 sets forth the grace which marks the Lord’s primary dealings with the believer. This is calculated to establish confidence in the heart, as is evidenced in Ruth here. She says, “Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thy handmaidens”, Ruth 2:13. There is becoming humility in her words, and confidence in Boaz is growing in her heart; besides, she seeks favour in his eyes. All this lays the ground for what is seen in chapter 3. Ruth “kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest”, Ruth 2:23.
It is a great thing to become thus attached to what is of Christ as the result of His gracious dealings with us. Young believers are apt to be timid and self-occupied, looking only at the dark side. Thus the Lord accredits us with much at the outset. Boaz gave Ruth credit for a great deal more than she would have taken credit for. The same thing appears in the Song of Songs, which book sets forth the Lord’s triumph over us through our affections. The Song begins with the bride’s exercises, given in her own words. She speaks of His love, and says of herself that she is black, though comely. Then the Bridegroom speaks to her of her beauty and grace. I think it is in this way that our hearts are established in confidence and set at ease in His presence. The Lord said of Nathanael, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!”, John 1:47. But what the Lord thus accredits us with is the fruit of His own grace in us, and He speaks of it only where the heart is humble in His presence. It need not be said that He does not give the flesh credit for anything, for it profits nothing.
[p. 361] The experience of chapter 2 prepares Ruth for Naomi’s proposal in chapter 3. She says, “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?” The instruction upon which she was to act involved that Ruth was to approach Boaz on the ground of kindred. Ruth is now equal to this new undertaking, and so she complies readily with the directions of her mother-in-law. There are great things ahead of her, and Naomi understands this, so she instructs Ruth further to wash herself and anoint herself and to put on raiment. It was no longer to be simply in the company of his maidens on the barley field of Boaz, but of meeting him alone; of approaching him on the ground of kinship. Having to say to Christ in this light, the soul realises the need of preparedness. See Naomi’s instructions to Ruth.
We may regard Naomi as representing the light here: she knew who Boaz was, and enlightened Ruth as to him. Ruth acts accordingly, and hence the great gain she acquired. It is painful to note how believers are often content to remain at a distance from Christ. The Lord delights in our coming forward to claim Him. But in approaching Him we must consider for His Person. The garments we might wear in the field will not do now, as we have seen. We are to approach Him, and for this there must be becoming attire. The sections of Scripture which have the marital relation with Christ in view, such as this book and the Song of Songs, help us on this line. The Person is before you, and you wish to be in the most intimate relationship with Him, and hence you think of what would please Him.
But there can be no doubt that we are conscious of need in our first approach to Him. The believer has light as to His Person and knows that He has ability to help. In this book redemption is in view,
[p. 362] and Ruth has this before her in her approach to Boaz.
The exercise indicated here is normal, but the experience of believers does not always correspond. There is great lack in this respect. Many know but little of a personal transaction with Christ. Moral strength is required for this, and this is acquired by the experience set forth in chapter 2. The food gathered on the field of Boaz builds up the constitution for what follows. What is to be noted in chapter 3 is that Ruth says nothing about being a stranger. This was in keeping with her first meeting with Boaz, but not here; a stranger could have no claim on him. She says, “thou art a near kinsman” (verse 9).
Another point to be taken account of is, that in going down to the threshing floor of Boaz at night Ruth did violence to natural feelings; faith always acts from its own motives, and is unconcerned about the propriety of its course as judged by the principles of this world. But Ruth was a virtuous woman, a woman of worth, in the eyes of Boaz, Ruth 3:11. He had said of her that she had come under the wings of the Lord God of Israel for protection; now she says virtually to him, ‘I want your protection’: “spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman”. It is a beautiful example of the knowledge of the Lord. Ruth here is a type of the christian as he advances in his soul in the knowledge of Christ, leading to our recognition of Him as having full title to us on the ground of redemption. At this stage Ruth understood that Boaz had ability to redeem, and that he was a kinsman — he had title; thus she claims him. Later she had full testimony that he had the heart of a redeemer. This is the most blessed discovery of all!
As applied to Christ, the estimate Boaz places on Ruth is extremely assuring and encouraging to the believer. He says, “Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich” (verse 10). Christ is not such as we might desire naturally, and hence He gives us credit for the grace which enables us to prefer Him. In truth, He is “the chiefest among ten thousand ... he is altogether lovely” (Song of Songs 5:10,16); but this is not nature’s estimate of Him. The remnant became attached to Christ, in whom the mass of the nation saw no beauty, that they should desire Him. The Lord, in taking account of our affections, does not overlook the opposition we may encounter from nature, or the flesh.
Boaz now assures Ruth (verse 11) that he would do all she required, adding, “for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman”. And he acknowledges that he was a near kinsman, only there was a nearer than he. He further assures her that if this nearer kinsman did not do the part of one, then he would perform a kinsman’s part to her. Kinship being thus claimed by Ruth and acknowledged by Boaz, we have the truth of redemption opened up.