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Ruth Chapter Three

Ruth 3

Chapter Contents

The directions given to Ruth by Naomi. (1-5) Boaz acknowledges the duty of a kinsman. (6-13) Ruth's return to her mother-in-law. (14-18)

Commentary on Ruth 3:1-5

(Read Ruth 3:1-5)

The married state should be a rest, as much as any thing upon earth can be so, as it ought to fix the affections and form a connexion for life. Therefore it should be engaged in with great seriousness, with earnest prayers for direction, for the blessing of God, and with regard to his precepts. Parents should carefully advise their children in this important concern, that it may be well with them as to their souls. Be it always remembered, That is best for us which is best for our souls. The course Naomi advised appears strange to us; but it was according to the laws and usages of Israel. If the proposed measure had borne the appearance of evil, Naomi would not have advised it. Law and custom gave Ruth, who was now proselyted to the true religion, a legal claim upon Boaz. It was customary for widows to assert this claim, Deuteronomy 25:5-10. But this is not recorded for imitation in other times, and is not to be judged by modern rules. And if there had been any evil in it, Ruth was a woman of too much virtue and too much sense to have listened to it.

Commentary on Ruth 3:6-13

(Read Ruth 3:6-13)

What in one age or nation would be improper, is not always so in another age or another nation. Being a judge of Israel, Boaz would tell Ruth what she should do; also whether he had the right of redemption, and what methods must be taken, and what rites used, in order to accomplishing her marriage with him or another person. The conduct of Boaz calls for the highest praise. He attempted not to take advantage of Ruth; he did not disdain her as a poor, destitute stranger, nor suspect her of any ill intentions. He spoke honourably of her as a virtuous woman, made her a promise, and as soon as the morning arrived, sent her away with a present to her mother-in-law. Boaz made his promise conditional, for there was a kinsman nearer than he, to whom the right of redemption belonged.

Commentary on Ruth 3:14-18

(Read Ruth 3:14-18)

Ruth had done all that was fit for her to do, she must patiently wait the event. Boaz, having undertaken this matter, would be sure to manage it well. Much more reason have true believers to cast their care on God, because he has promised to care for them. Our strength is to sit still, Isaiah 30:7. This narrative may encourage us to lay ourselves by faith at the feet of Christ: He is our near Kinsman; having taken our nature upon him. He has the right to redeem. Let us seek to receive from him his directions: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Acts 9:6. He will never blame us as doing this unseasonably. And let us earnestly desire and seek the same rest for our children and friends, that it may be well with them also.

── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Ruth》

Ruth 3

Verse 1

[1] Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

Rest — A life of rest, and comfort, and safety, under the care of a good husband.

Verse 2

[2] And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.

Threshing-floor — Which was in a place covered at the top, but open elsewhere, whither Ruth might easily come. And this work of winnowing corn was usually ended with a feast.

Verse 3

[3] Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

Raiment — Thy best raiment.

Known — In so familiar a way, as thou mayest do hereafter.

Verse 4

[4] And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.

Uncover his feet — Remove the clothes that were upon his feet; thereby to awaken him.

Will tell thee — What course thou shalt take to obtain that marriage which belongs unto thee.

Verse 8

[8] And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

At midnight — He did not discover her sooner.

Verse 9

[9] And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

Spread thy Skirt — That is, take me to be thy wife, and perform the duty of an husband to me.

Verse 10

[10] And he said, 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.

Shewed kindness — Both to thy deceased husband, the continuance of whose name and memory thou seekest; and to thy mother-in-law, whose commands thou hast punctually obeyed.

Followedst not — To seek thy marriage here, or in thy own country, as thou wouldst have done if thou hadst not preferred obedience to God's command, before pleasing thyself.

Verse 13

[13] Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.

Perform, … — Take thee to wife, to raise up seed to his brother. Bishop Hall sums up the matter thus. "Boaz, instead of touching her as a wanton, blesseth her as a father, encourages her as a friend, promises her as a kinsman, rewards her as a patron, and sends her away laden with hopes and gifts, no less chast, but more happy than she came. O admirable temperance, worthy the progenitor of him, in whose lips and heart there was no guile!"

Verse 14

[14] And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.

Let it not, … — He takes care to preserve not only his conscience towards God, but his reputation, and hers also, among men.

Verse 15

[15] Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.

Veil — Or, the apron.

Verse 16

[16] And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.

Who art thou? — This is not a question of doubting, but of wonder, as if she had said, Art thou in very deed my daughter? I can hardly believe it. How camest thou hither in this manner, and thus early?

── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Ruth》

 
Ruth's Tender Plea: "Take Your Maidservant" (3:1-18)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. So far our study in the book of Ruth has revealed...
 a. Ruth's noble choice: "I will go..." - Ru 1:1-22
  1) Expressing great love for her mother-in-law, Naomi
 2) Willing to forego home and religion, and adopt Israel and the
 true God
 b. Ruth's lowly service: "Let me glean..." - Ru 2:1-23
 1) Exercising her right as a widow to glean after the reapers
 during the harvest
 2) Providing sustenance for herself and her mother-in-law 
 
2. Our previous study reviewed how Ruth came to meet Boaz...
 a. Ruth "happened" to be gleaning in the field of Boaz - Ru 2:1-3
 b. Boaz inquired of his workers about the strange woman - Ru 2:4-5
 c. Learning Ruth's identity, Boaz encouraged her to continue - Ru 2:
 8-9
 d. Ruth was permitted to glean in the fields of Boaz throughout the
 harvest - Ru 2:21
 e. Naomi was thrilled, because Boaz was a close relative - Ru 2:20
 
[With advice from her mother-in-law, Ruth will make a "tender plea" that
will prompt Boaz to fulfill an obligation that was due the family of
Elimelech. Thus chapter three begins with...]
 
I. NAOMI'S ADVICE TO RUTH
 
 A. MOTIVATED BY MOTHERLY CONCERN...
 1. Naomi loves her daughter-in-law as a daughter - Ru 3:1
 2. Naomi is concerned for Ruth's security and well-being - Ru 3:1
 a. Security (rest, KJV) implies benefits found in marriage 
 - cf. Ru 1:9
 b. It was customary for parents to arrange marriages - cf. Jud
 14:1-2
 
 B. PROMPTED BY PROVIDENTIAL CIRCUMSTANCES...
 1. Boaz, with whose women Ruth gleaned in the fields, was a
 relative - Ru 3:2
 a. He could fulfill the levirate law of marriage - cf. Deu 25:
 5-10
 b. Perhaps Naomi had interpreted his kindness as interest in
 Ruth
 2. Boaz would be winnowing barley at the threshing floor - Ru 3:2
  a. Threshing floors were located on a hill; this one outside
 the city - cf. Ru 3:15
 b. Naomi knew that Boaz would spend the night there - cf. Ru
 3:4
 
 C. DEVISED TO PROMPT A RESPONSE...
 1. Ruth is told to wash, anoint herself, and put on her best
 garment - Ru 3:3a
 2. Ruth is told to wait until Boaz has eaten and fallen asleep 
 - Ru 3:b-4a
 3. Ruth is told to uncover Boaz' feet and lie down, and await his
 response - Ru 3:4b
  a. Some interpret "uncover his feet" and "lie down" as
 euphemisms for sexual activity - cf. Eze 16:25 (KJV); Gen
 19:32-35
 b. Yet for Naomi to encourage Ruth to commit such an act of
 boldness and immorality is completely counter to what we
 know of Ruth - cf. Ru 3:11b
 c. The actual text suggests that nothing indecent happened 
 - cf. Ru 3:7-8
 
[Ruth consents to follow the advice given by Naomi (Ru 3:5), and so we
read of...]
 
II. RUTH AT THE FEET OF BOAZ
 
 A. RUTH FOLLOWS NAOMI'S ADVICE...
 1. Ruth goes down to the threshing floor - Ru 3:6a
 2. Ruth does according to her mother-in-law's instructions - Ru
 3:6b
 a. She waits until Boaz had eaten and gone to sleep - Ru 3:7a
 b. She softly uncovers his feet and lies down - Ru 3:7b
 
 B. BOAZ STARTLED BY RUTH'S PRESENCE...
 1. At midnight Boaz is startled by a woman lying at his feet - Ru
 3:8
 2. Upon inquiry, Ruth identifies herself and makes her plea - Ru
 3:9
 a. "Take your maidservant under your wing"
 1) Or "spread your cloak over your maid" (NRSV)
 2) In that region, a symbolic action denoting protection,
 marriage (JFB)
 b. "For you are a close relative (near kinsman)"
 1) He could fulfill the levirate law of marriage - cf. Deu
 25:5-6
 2) But he was not the nearest of kin - cf. Ru 3:12
 
 C. BOAZ RESPONDS WITH GRATITUDE, HONOR AND KINDNESS...
 1. Boaz is grateful for her kindness - Ru 3:10
 a. She showed more kindness at the end than at the beginning
 b. In that she did not just go after any young man (implying
 that Boaz was older)
 2. Boaz is concerned about preserving her honor - Ru 3:11-14
 a. He would fulfill her request, for everyone knows of her
 virtue
 b. Yet there was a kinsman nearer to her than he
 1) Boaz must give him the opportunity to do his duty
 2) Boaz swears to perform the duty, if the other person does
 not
 c. Boaz preserves her reputation
 1) By having her stay until morning, rather than leaving
 during the night
 2) By instructing his workers to tell no one
 3. Boaz gives Ruth six ephahs of barley - Ruth 3:15
 a. So she might not go empty-handed to her mother-in-law - cf.
 Ru 3:17
 b. The significance of this gift is uncertain
  1) A gift of grain as the bridal price?
 2) A message intended for Naomi, recognizing her part or to
 secure her consent?
 3) A "cover" for Ruth, should anyone see her, implying that
 she had been at work
 gathering grain?
 4) Simply a gift from a man for the woman he hoped to marry?
 
[With such a large gift in hand...]
 
III. RUTH RETURNS TO NAOMI
 
 A. RUTH REPORTS TO NAOMI...
 1. Ruth tells all that Boaz had done for her - Ru 3:16
 2. Ruth explains the six ephahs of barley - Ru 3:17
 
 B. NAOMI ADVISES RUTH...
 1. To wait to see how things turn out - Ru 3:18a
 2. Confident that Boaz will act immediately - Ru 3:18b
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. It is tempting to caricature Naomi as a "matchmaker"...
 a. She certainly had given her plan some thought
 b. She correctly anticipated Boaz' response
 -- But it was definitely "a risky proposition" that could have easily
 gone awry!
 
2. Scholars debate whether anything improper took place between Ruth and
 Boaz; I appreciate the following observation:
 
 "Those who interpret a sexual relation in the events reflect their
 twentieth-century cultural conditioning of sexual permissiveness.
 They fail to appreciate the element of Ruth's trust that Boaz would
 not dishonor her whom he wanted for his wife. They fail to appreciate
 the cultural taboos of Ruth's time that would have prevented a man of
 Boaz's position from taking advantage of Ruth, thereby destroying her
 reputation and perhaps endangering his own. Biblical writers were
 not squeamish about describing sexual encounters, but the writer of
 Ruth has deliberately refrained from saying there was a liaison
 between Ruth and Boaz. If read carefully and with sensitivity, it
 becomes clear that he was saying just the opposite. Both Ruth and
 Boaz acted virtuously in a situation they knew could have turned out
 otherwise. Chastity was not an unknown virtue in the ancient world."
 - F. B. Huey, Jr. (Expositor's Bible Commentary)
 
3. Again we are struck by the noble character of Boaz...
 a. We saw his kindness and sense of propriety in the previous chapter
 b. We see his kindness and concern for duty and reputation in this
 chapter
 
The integrity of Boaz made it possible for Naomi to plan her "risky
proposition" with a strong likelihood that he would respond in the
proper manner. The benefit of having integrity is that people know how
we will respond in a given situation. 
 
Would we have responded like Boaz...?

－－《Executable Outlines》

03 Chapter 3

Verse 1

Ruth 3:1

Shall I not seek rest for thee?

Rest for Ruth

I. the object of Naomi’s solicitude. Poor Ruth: a destitute, forlorn, bereaved, homeless, portionless widow. Think of the destitute circumstances of a bereaved sinner, when awakened to find out how deplorably he is ruined and utterly undone under the fall. She was between the two countries. Just the position of a soul awakened. Yet further, see the character of Ruth portraying thy condition yet more strongly. You remark, that she had escaped from Moab and refused to go back again. There was a decision of character, there was a distinction, there was the plain mark of belonging to God. Do mark, I beseech you, here, the importance of steadfast perseverance in the Christian character.

II. the nature of Naomi’s solicitude. It was rest she wanted for her daughter-in-law: “Shall I not seek rest for thee?” I wish to give some description of this rest.

1. And the first idea is tranquillity; a sacred calm, a blessed believing satisfaction. For when the poor soul is first awakened by the Spirit of God there is anything but tranquillity; it is tossed to and fro in a state of uncertainty, a state of perplexity, a state of wretchedness. “Shall I not seek rest for thee?” Shall I not tell thee where it is to be had? Shall I not point out the fact that it is to be found only in Ruth’s determination--“Thy God shall be my God,” a covenant God--Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? Get to know Him, get to serve Him with decision, and thou shalt have tranquillity.

2. But I pass on to mark, in addition to the tranquillity sought, it was desired that she should have an inheritance, and an inheritance of great value too. Now what says the apostle to this?” Blessed be God,”we have got an inheritance.

III. the end of this solicitude. And a very blessed one it was. (J. Irons.)

---

Verse 3

Ruth 3:3

Wash thyself, therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee.

Washed, anointed, and clothed

Need we explain this washing, anointing, and clothing? Need we point to the only fountain for sin? Need we say that the holy anointing oil, which consecrates the believer in Jesus a priest and king unto God, is His own blessed Spirit? Must we define the raiment to be that robe of Divine and human righteousness combined wherewith each soul is invested which rejects its own filthy rags? (C. F. Hall.)

---

Verse 4

Ruth 3:4

Uncover his feet, and lay thee down.

Doubtful expedients

I. we begin with some explanatory observations, for the purpose of vindicating the narrative from misapprehension and abuse.

1. We must notice the general contrariety of pastoral customs to our own which marked those ancient times in the East. What unadorned simplicity! Wearing the garments which had been worn by him during the day, he throws himself down to rest at the end of the heaps of winnowed corn, with nothing but a simple mat beneath him, and a similar covering or cloak above him. How different is all this from the dignity and reserve which would be maintained and the many artificial luxuries and comforts that would be possessed by a person of similar rank and wealth among ourselves.

2. It is a fact that, both in those times and up to this hour in the East, servants have been accustomed to lay themselves in this manner at the feet of their master. One modern traveller mentions that his Arab servants were quite in the practice of doing so with him; and, in cold evenings, of claiming the privilege, which had descended from immemorial usage, of drawing over themselves the skirts of the long mat or cloak in which his person was enveloped.

3. Moreover, it is an interesting fact bearing on the present subject, that a very prominent part of the marriage ceremony among the Orientals was for the bridegroom to throw the skirt of his robe over his bride. The act of Ruth here described was, therefore, a significant action, in which she claimed the protection of Boaz and the honourable acknowledgment of her as his wife.

4. It is further to be observed that while the whole scene proves Boaz to have been a man most pure in spirit and of sensitive virtue, the conduct of Ruth does not for one moment make him doubt or question her purity. But here our defence ceases, at least in respect to Naomi. While we vindicate her intentions, we are constrained to censure her measures; while we acquit her of designing evil, we must blame her for not “abstaining from all appearance of evil.” There was too much of cunning and stratagem about the manner of the whole transaction. There was a forcing of Providence where there should have been a trustful waiting on it; a cutting of a short way to a desired issue, instead of moving in the way which God might open to her.

II. thus explained, the transaction suggests some important practical lessons.

1. The duty of caring for our good name. “Two things there are,” saith St. Augustine, “whereof every man should be specially chary and tender--his conscience and his credit.”

2. The duty of charity in our judgment of others. It will often be found to be the wisest course to form our estimate of a doubtful action by the character of the actor, and when we stand in doubt, to let love turn the scale. Persons seem to each man what he is to himself. One who suspects hypocrisy in the world is rarely transparent; the man constantly on the watch for cheating is generally dishonest; he who suspects impurity is prurient.

3. It is a first principle, in Christian morals that duty must always have the preference before inclination. What true Christian chivalry, born of faith, there was in the heart of this Bethlehem yeoman! He was not only sternly honest, but sensitively honourable, bearing his escutcheon without a sinister brand on it.

4. It is surely not unnatural to ascend in thought from Boaz to Him who, in an infinitely higher sense, is our Kinsman Redeemer, who became “bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh,” and died as the propitiatory victim for our offences, in order that He might reinstate us in the Divine favour, and redeem for us the heavenly inheritance which we had lost. (A. Thomson, D. D.)

---

Verse 10-11

Ruth 3:10-11

Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter . . . I will do to thee all that thou requirest

The first-fruits of grace

The passage before us gives a copious illustration of the first-fruits of grace to the accepted soul.
Jesus welcomes, blesses, and abundantly rewards all who thus come unto Him. First we have Divine approval. Boaz does not reject or repel the lowly suitor at his feet. The difference in their outward conditions was great. Yet he neither chides her boldness, nor reproaches her with sorrow, nor refuses her plea. He listens to her prayer in kindness. He invokes the Divine blessing upon her in her need. And how his whole address to her illustrates the Saviour’s gracious approval of those who seek Him! When the wearied soul comes to the feet of Jesus this is ever the welcome of approbation which it receives. The Saviour takes immediate notice of the prayer which rises up before Him, and answers it with the kindest encouragement. Boaz next illustrates for us the Divine promises. He meets the full requisition of his suppliant. There is not a want which the Christian feels for which there is not a provision promised in the Word of God. And when we come to ask His mercy, and lay ourselves at His feet in humble dedication to Him, the Saviour takes all our concerns into His own hands, and Himself promises to provide for every need. Another of the first-fruits of grace which we find in this illustration is the bounty of Divine gifts. Boaz not only promises for the future, but he bestows in the present. He will not send Ruth away empty. He fills her vail with as much barley as she could carry to her mother. An abundant supply for the wants of both. He is as generous in the amount of his liberality as he is is delicate and free in the manner of its bestowal. Thus the Saviour richly and freely bestows His gifts of grace upon those who love Him. What sweet peace He pours into the conscience in the assurance of our forgiveness! What clear light He gives to the understanding of His whole method of salvation and scheme of truth! What solidity He bestows upon the judgment in its satisfaction with His plans revealed! What joy He awakens in the heart, in the hope and anticipation of His final glory! How He makes our whole path a path of increasing light and abounding peace! In Him we are never straitened. The more diligently and truly we wait upon Him, the more abundantly will our strength be renewed. He will freely say to us, like Boaz to Ruth, “Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it.” Whatever we are ready to receive He is waiting to bestow. But the illustration from the vail of Ruth fails, in the important fact that its measure was fixed, but our capacity to hold increases with our receipts of the Divine bounty. And who shall tell where God’s gracious willingness to bestow shall find its limit? As faith enlarges, and we learn to expect large things, and to attempt large things, so also becomes enlarged the measure of grace which faith receives. The history before us illustrates the Divine fidelity. With what confidence Naomi trusts in the truth and faithfulness of Boaz! The result proved that her confidence was not misplaced. He did complete with entire success the work of protection and mercy which he had undertaken. It is upon such entire fidelity in our gracious Kinsman that we are required to place our trust. “Great is His faithfulness.” “His name is called faithful and true.”(S. H. Tyng, D. D.)

Thou art a virtuous woman.

Ruth the virtuous

1. Observe, to begin with one of her humblest virtues, Ruth’s industry. She accompanies Naomi to the land of Israel; but not to live on public charity or become the humble pensioner of affluent relatives. Reared in the lap of luxury, she has never learned to work; yet in a noble spirit of independence she resolves to earn her bread with her own hands. We have called this a humble virtue, not because we hold it cheap, or do not regret that under the debasing influence of our poor-laws and the self-indulgent spirit of the age, it is dying out of the land. One of the saddest phases of the times is that, for themselves or their parents, thousands now accept and even clamour for public charity who, less than a century ago, would have scorned to touch it. We call it a humble virtue, because, notwithstanding the degeneracy of the age, it still dwells in many a lowly home, stamping those with a true nobility who feel the bread taste sweet their own hands have earned, and, looking forward with a Christian’s hope to the rest of heaven, are content here to live to work and work to live.

2. Observe next her humility. On losing their fortune some retain in a silly pride what but aggravates the loss, rankling like a thorn in a bleeding wound. An empty sack cannot stand erect; yet they inflict misery on themselves, and not seldom wrong on others, by the mean and even dishonest things they de to keep up appearances. Deeming some honest but humble work beneath their dignity, they buy what they cannot pay for, or borrow what they cannot return. Ashamed to work, they are not ashamed to live on the fruits of others’ industry rather than their own. There is something inexpressibly mean in this; and worse than mean. It argues a spirit of rebellion against Him and His providence who setteth up one and putteth down another. How different from this un-Christian and rebellious spirit the humility of Ruth! How beautiful it is! Willing to engage in any honest work, however humble, she bends like a reed to the blast, bows her gentle head meekly before the majesty of heaven, and, meeting her trials like a Christian heroine, drinks off the cup mingled and presented by her Father’s hand.

3. Observe her affection to Naomi. It wrings Ruth’s heart to part with sister, mother, and country; but it would break it to part with Naomi. She cannot do it. The ship may sink; but, mailing her colours to the mast, she will sink or swim with it. Death only shall apart them: nor death--the last favour her lips shall ask, that they lay her in Naomi’s grave. Nobly did Ruth redeem the pledges of this affecting scene. She teaches us, by what she was to Naomi, what we are to be to Christ; how we should cleave to Him--how we should love Him--with what devotion of heart and body, of soul, strength, mind and spirit we should serve Him, and gladly spend and be spent for Him--saying, as we take up our cross to follow the lover and Redeemer of our souls, “Where Thou goest,”etc. (T. Guthrie, D. D.)

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Verses 15-17

Ruth 3:15-17

Six measures of barley.

Exact reckonings of mercies

1. True virtue or grace makes persons universally good. Boaz was a gracious or virtuous man. He is good in his charity as well as in his chastity: he adds one grace to another (2 Peter 1:5).

2. God’s blessings bestowed on us should be received by us in an exact reckoning: we should receive them by number, weight and measure; and to behold the quantity of them is an excellent way to get a thankful heart (Psalms 116:12).

3. As charity is no churl, so neither must it be blind or extravagant. His liberality is not lavish in laying out God’s blessings, but he giveth in judgment with discretion, not without consideration. Prudence is the general guide and universal mistress in all acts and exercises of virtue (Psalms 112:5).

4. As Boaz, so much more our God never sends home true suitors empty. He giveth, and He giveth liberally--He giveth grace, He giveth more grace (James 4:6). Every Sabbath, and sermon or sacrament, Christ cries to us, as Boaz to Ruth, “Bring hither thy vail, that I may fill it.” Faith is the receiving grace. God proportions His performing to our believing: as thou believest so be it unto thee (Matthew 8:13). (C. Ness.)

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Verse 18

Ruth 3:18

Sit still, my daughter.

Wailing upon Providence

1. When lawful means are rightly used, then should we wait upon God for the end. The care of the means belongs to us, but the care of the end belongs to God. We must commit ourselves in all well-doing to the Lord (Psalms 37:5; 1 Peter 4:19).”Until thou know how the matter shall fall.”

2. All matters concerning mankind are appointed by a Divine decree in heaven, before they be accomplished by a Divine Providence upon earth. Even all matches and marriages are made in heaven, before ever they come to be solemnised on earth (Psalms 55:22). It is our work to cast care, and it is God’s work to take care (1 Peter 5:7). We must let God alone with His own work, which is then only well done, when it is done by Himself. The man will not be at rest.

3. Conscientious persons should be restless until they make good payment of their promises. Alas, how few Boaz’s are in the world, who pay what they promise! (C. Ness.)

Avoid over-haste in the plans of life

I want to give you old Naomi’s advice. Listen, let older heads speak to you, even let God, speak to you: “He who was, and is, and is to come,” the Almighty God, speak a word like this: “Do not get fretful; do not get desponding; do not get over-eager; do not lag behind, but do not run too far forward; take care of taking things too much into your own hands.” You are only in the middle of things. Life is a plan; there is a purpose giving shape, aye, and blessedness to it all. Have you seen and understood? There is a clue to the maze, and that is the Man on the field, to whom all belongs, the mighty man of wealth. Do you know Him, and is His arm working for you? Well, don’t rush now; just go on steadily; sit still, my daughter. Sit still, nay heart, wait on thy God, leave God to order all thy ways, and trust in Him whate’er betide. Be sure of it that He who has begun, in the way of infinite wisdom, has not done yet. Your days are only in the beginning, you are not at the end--wait on God. “Be of good courage, he shall strengthen your heart--wait, I say, on the Lord.” ”He who has begun a good work will carry it on until the day of Jesus Christ.” Look back and see what He has done already; strengthen, and calm, and steady your hot and feverish soul; and let me say this for your encouragement, what Naomi said to Ruth: “Ah,”she as good as said, “I know this man.” Are you a little eager? Does your soul, sometimes in spite of yourself, haste forward to the consummation? Much more does His. He has set His mighty heart upon you; He loves you with an everlasting love; He is weary to get you, and He is shaping and controlling all things in heaven and earth for just one thing--to finish His redeeming work, and to get you home with rejoicing to be with Himself for ever and ever. (J. McNeill.)

The man will not be in rest.

Duty done at the right time

I. If this is to be our characteristic and habit, there are certain rules the observance of which is indispensable. We must not undertake more work, or ambitiously grasp at more engagements, than there is a fair and reasonable likelihood of our being able to accomplish. We must endeavour, by plan and forethought, so to dispose of our time as to make the most of every hour that is given us to work in. Then there must be no indolent procrastination, or giving way before little difficulties, or sitting down or turning aside because we think we see lions in the way; but rather the putting forth of vigorous effort in order to realise our plans and to keep ourselves master of our circumstances, instead of allowing our circumstances to master us. The benefits which grow out of this ordering of our time, and doing the work of each day in the day, are various and great. It helps to secure that whatever we undertake to do shall be well done, by our having abundance of time in which to do it. It saves our consciences from the reproach and our characters from the shame of promise-breaking; for when the work of to-day is thrown over upon to-morrow, it is likely that much will fail to be done at all, according to the old Spanish proverb that “the street of By-and-By leads to the house of Never.” It preserves us from that fretting of the temper which is the certain effect of hurry, and enables us to maintain more tranquillity of mind, and self-control, and self-respect.

II. next let us apply the principle in these words to some things in detail. There is especially one direction in which it is pre-eminently applicable. Suppose a man to have the consciousness awakened in him that he has never given earnest attention to the matter of his personal salvation; that he is under the displeasure of God, with a life of unforgiven sins accusing him; and that the near and solemn eternity is all unprovided for. This ought surely to become his immediate and paramount concern. “The man should not be in rest until he hath finished the thing this day.” Who would sing songs to a man that was sinking and perishing in the fearful pit and the miry clay? Get him out of the pit first. He would be a fool who should propose to paint his ship while it was toiling and straining in the storm. Bring it first into calm waters and the safe harbour. But let us assume that the supreme interest has been cared for; and there are two observations which it is natural to connect with these suggestive words of Naomi.

1. There are certain duties which regularly fall to be performed by us, and which may be described as the work of every day. There are, for example, the duties of our stated secular vocation, whether they consist in headwork or in handiwork, or in both combined. In these we are daily summoned anew to serve God; and very much of the Christian’s everyday religion consists in his discharging these common services in a Christian spirit. And daily mingling with these, and shedding down hallowed influences upon them, there are the more direct exercises of religion, especially those of secret devotion, on the morning and evening of every day. And scarcely less congenial with the tastes of his new nature will be his daily perusal of some chosen portion of Holy Scripture. And must we not further claim from the Christian heads of families that domestic devotion shall form an essential part of each day’s round of service, in which every day’s wants shall be turned to prayer, and every day’s mercies to praise; in which family affection shall be nurtured and sanctified; in which the parents shall become more venerable and the children more endeared, and home become as one of the gates of heaven?

2. There is another large class of duties of a more special kind, which are not of daily recurrence, but are rather appropriate to particular times and circumstances, and may be said to grow out of them.

Do not withhold yourself from doing good because your sphere of beneficent action is narrow. If you cannot do a prophet’s work, yet give a cup of cold water to one of Christ’s little ones. If you have not the means of founding or endowing a hospital, you can take a flower, perchance, and give it to some sister or brother who is pining in one of its wards, and you can give kind words and sunny looks along with it. The world around is full of opportunities of usefulness, if we would but seize them. We can scarcely stretch forth our hand without touching some form of human misery which we could mitigate or relieve. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it.”(A. Thomson, D. D.)

──《The Biblical Illustrator》