The rich kinsman : the history of Ruth the Moabitess

Introduction

. . 5

I.— Book of Kuth

. . 9

II.— The Wandeeees

. 29

III.— The AwAKENTNa

. . 54

IV.— The PsoMisiNa Commencement

. . 80

V. — The Paintul Sepaeation .

. 102

VI.— True Decision

. . 125

VII.— The Faithful Choice

. 151

VIII.— The Backslidee's Keturn .

. 182

. 205

X.— The Eich Kinsman ....

. 225

XI.— The Gleanee . . . . .

. . 244

XII.— The Welcome Keception .

. 269

XIII. — The Gracious Approbation

. 292

XIV.— The Happy Discovery ....

. . 816

XV.— The Place of Eest ....

. 836

XVI.— The FiRST-FRurrs or Grace .

. 356

. . 378

XVIII.— Kedemption Accomplished .

. . 896

XIX.— Kedemption Applied ....

. 411

IntraHrtiou.

The author presents tMs work in the hope that it will be found adapted to enlighten the minds of the young in some of the great subjects of Scriptural Instruction. It comprises a course of lectures delivered to the youth of his congregation on the afternoons of the Lord's day. Several such courses, upon various biographies of the Scripture, and upon other portions of Scripture, applicable as useful illustrations of Christian truth and Christian duty, he has also given to his youthful hearers. It has been the great object of all these to engage and interest the minds of the young in the study of the Holy Scriptures. Whether the publication of this one course will be considered as so likely to be useful as to warrant the preparation for similar publication of either of the other courses referred to, will be decided by the

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VI INTRODUCTION.

present experiment. The author has been long impressed with the feeling that neither commentaries nor sermons have yet made that simple and practical use of the fullness of Scripture truth for which it is adapted — perhaps he might say for which it is designed. The young mind certainly can be interested in the Word of God as a book full of attraction as well as full of truth. Wlioever can be made in any degree the instrument of leading to this result by bringing out to view the real attractions of the Scripture, confers so far an invaluable benefit upon others. Nothing is more desirable at the present time than a complete commentary uj)on the Bible, adapted to such an end — a commentary that shoidd avoid the deep ruts of mere traditional exposition, and be designed to exhibit the fullness of truth and beauty which in a new path remain yet to be explored and displayed. Such a commentary for our Sunday-schools would be a priceless gift. To prepare it, however, wnll require equal acquaintance with the minds and wants of the young, and with the deep and exhaustless treasures of the Word of God. The author does not pretend to the full

INTRODUCTION. VU

possession of either of such attainments, however truly he appreciates their importance and worth. But may not others be induced to enter upon this field of untried usefulness? May not the ministry be generally led to direct their niinds and study more to the great purpose of preparing Scriptural attractions as well as Scriptural instruction for the young? If the present work should be of no more general advantage, the author is perfectly sure that to his own beloved flock of youthful hearers it will be acceptable, and will by them be prized. To them, therefore, at least, he commits it without fear, and with the affectionate prayer for a Divine blessing upon its precious truths among them all.

S. H. T.

St. Geokge's Eeotokt,

New York, March 1, 1855.

I HAVE always considered this one of tlie most interesting and instructive books of tlie Old Testament. It is full of precious spiritual instruction. It preaches a glorious Saviour for the lost sinner. It describes the sorrows of the wanderer from God. It shows the blessedness of the sinner's return to Christ ; the riches and bounty of the Great Eedeemer ; and the fullness of love and mercy which the pardoned rebel finds in him. All these blessed truths are exhibited in the history of a family of Israelites, who strayed to the land of Moab, and of a lovely youthful convert from idolatry, who becomes united to them, and is thus led to a rich kinsman, before unknown to her, and in whom she finds a bountiful and faithful Kedeemer.

We have the story of her return from idolatiy to the living God, of her first acquaintance \vith this rich kinsman, of her union with him in marriage, of her peaceful and happy dwelling with him, of the excellence of her own character, and of his generous liberality towards her. \^In all this, we have a simple and faithful preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ to us, under the most interesting and attractive shape. He is our appointed Kinsman and Kedeemer, who has bought and ransomed us with the rich price of his own blood. ^ And, when we are brought back to him, from our wandering in sin, by the converting power of his o\\ti Spirit, we enjoy the fullness of his pardoning love, and he becomes united to us in an everlasting covenant never to be forgotten. This is the view which I would give you of The Book OF Ruth.

Ruth was in herself a beautiful example

THE BOOK OF RUTH. 11

of virtue and personal excellence^ in every different station in which she was placed. We see her a homeless wanderer, and we see her sheltered in a happy home ; we see her in poverty, and we see her in wealth ; we see her neglected, and we see her caressed. But we see her at all times, and in all stations, the same faithful and beautiful illustration of female loveliness, purity, and benevolence. She shines before us, a remarkable instance of the power of Divine grace. It was this alone which renewed her heart, and made her really a daughter of the Lord Almighty. She became a temple of the Holy Ghost, and was thus made able to glorify God in her body, and her spirit, which were his.

She was an interesting example of the happiness which flows from a true and faithful obedience of God. True religion was to her the source of every earthly as well as of every heavenly joy. Karely is a character so attractive and lovely in itself, seen in the sinful family of man. And under this aspect.

her history is well worthy of the study of the young. You see here the beauty of true piety iu the youthful female character. Of one instance of such piety the eminent Bishop Griswold says, in a record of his journal, " She is a sensible young woman, possessed of beauty, and of all that is amiable in nature and by education ; truly pious ; her whole soul devoted to her Saviour. She reminds me of the celestial inhabitants ; she seems but ^ a little lower than the angels.' What mortal state can imagination portray so nearly resembling that of those pure intelligences, as the character and life of a pious young female ?"

But let us not forget she was made thus attractive by the Holy Spirit, that Blessed Sanctifier whom the Saviour gives to all the people of God. He is the guide and teacher of all who love God. He taught the prophets and inspired holy men to write the Scriptures. And he renewed and sanctified the hearts of all who truly believed

THE BOOK OF KUTH. 13

God's word, in ancient times as well as in our day. It was lie who taught Kuth to believe in a promised Saviour, and enabled her to choose and to obey his commands ; and who thus gave her the beautiful ornament of a meek and heavenly temper. This makes her character an example to the young members of the Saviour's flock in every age, because the same Spirit offers to bless and sanctify all who will receive him. How happy would it be, for every daughter of the church, to follow the same Lord, under the teaching of the same Divine Spirit ! -^ The history of Kuth is also a very instructive instance of the gracious Providence of God over all who truly seek him. We see her giving up all her own relations, her native land, and the idolatry of her fathers, to seek the worship, and the service of the God of Israel. But she loses nothing. She finds her happy recompense, under the shadow of his wings in whom she had come to put her trust. She not only receives the rich spiritual blessings which are the gift of God to those who seek him, but she has also all other things added to her under his gracioufl care. ^^ Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." This is a very valuable example to us, whether we think of her own conduct in obedience to God, or of the goodness and love of God towards her. The Holy Spirit gave us this book to be a witness to us, that God will never fail, nor forsake, those who put their trust in him. Every child of God may here learn, never to doubt, or to distrust, that gracious Saviour who has promised to be the everlasting friend of all who seek and love him. Great will be the blessing to you, if you shall thus be taught more truly to seek and to trust in Jesus, and to seek your shel^. ter under the shadow of his wing.

The history of Ruth's personal connection with our blessed Lord, in his human nature, is also quite worthy of your notice. She and

THE BOOK OF EUTH. 15

Kahab were the only two Gentiles in tlie earthly genealogy of our Lord. He was pleased to take the nature of man in the family which descended from them. He was thus '^ not the God of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles." Kuth, though a native of Moabj was one of the chosen ancestors of the honored line of David. And thus Gentile blood was mingled in that exalted family, with the blood of Israel. Thus she became personally connected with the Kedeemer of men. From her, " as concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever." What a special interest does this give to her character and history for us ! All our hopes and joys are resting upon the real incarnation and manhood of this glorious and Divine Saviour ; and it is most interesting to us, to trace back the connection of his lowly humanity, to this faithful child of God, who came from the wilds of Moab, to seek the truth and the goodness of the Lord God of Israel.

16 THE RICH KIN SM AX.

But there is much more than all this in the history of Ruth. It was given to us by the Huly Spirit to preach a Saviour's love. The Holy Spirit glorifies our Lord Jesufl Christ, by taking of the things which are his, and showing them unto men. '^ He does this very plainly and beautifully in the history of Ruth. He tells us here very much of Christ ; much of the kingdom of his grace, as well as of the government of his Providence. He displays the riches of his redeeming love, in a very attractive manner ; and in some very important and instructive illustrations. He preaches to us the fullness of that pardoning mercy, which is exercised by the Son of God, who was manifest in the flesh, that he might be the kinsman and husband of perishing sinners ; and who, when he had redeemed them by his death, betrothed them unto himself, and made them to become the Bride, the Lamb's wife. He shows us here the way in which the Saviour brings wandering sinners back to himself, receives them into his

THE BOOK OF EUTH. 17

family^ feeds them with the fulhiess of his bounty, exalts them into an everlasting union with himself, gives them a name and a record among the generations of his children, and teaches them to praise and glorify him for ever.

All these precious lessons of Gospel truth the Holy Spirit teaches us, in the history of this youthful Moabitess. And he thus preaches the Gospel here in a very clear and beautiful way. And if the same Spirit shall graciously teach you also, you may be led to learn here the love of Christ for yourselves, your own need of such a Saviour, and the riches of his wisdom and grace in your salvation. This is the blessed and all-important purpose for which I wish you to study the history of Kuth.

But this blessed instruction is not peculiar to the Book of Euth. It is to be found every where in the Scriptures of the Old Testament. They are full of histories which are intended to lead your minds and hearts to the same gracious and holy Saviour. They all testify of Christ, and of that eternal life which is to be found in him alone. It must ever be your aim and effort to gain a knowledge of the Sa\^our from them all. To obtain this knowledge of Jesus, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit is worth all the study it may cost you, and all the time it may require. Seek for this as an invaluable blessing. Throughout your whole Bible try to find the Saviour speaking to you. He is every where in it. The same Spirit has written it all. And in ever\" part of it he waits to teach you the same Gospel, and to explain to you the same salvation. The more earnestly you study the sacred Word, praying to him to enlighten and teach you, the more clearly will you see this one subject constantly before you.

It is this " teaching and preaching Jesus Christ," which makes the Bible so precious to the people of God, in every generation, and in every land. They read of their Beloved

THE BOOK OF RUTH. 19

Lord in every part of it, and " to them that beliere, he is precious." If you shall really find a Saviour there, it will be equally attractive and precious to you. Then seek him there. Seek the guidance of his Spirit, that you may find him. Pray for Divine teaching, " the unction of the Holy One.''^ When you find him, embrace him with delight, as your portion for ever. Thus the patriarchs and prophets believed in him. Thus Kuth believed in him. Thus all the ancient saints believed in him. They rejoiced in looking forward to his day of grace and glory. Be ye followers of them, who, through faith and patience, obtained the promises. Kejoice to be united with them in the same precious promises, the same steadfast faith, the same blessed hope.

The Scriptures of the Old Testament are a rich mine. The blessed Saviour is the precious gold which is hidden within it. How earnestly ought we to search for this pure gold, more precious than the gold of

Ophir. Sometimes it lies very near the surface. As thev speak of earthly mines, it '^ crops out" in beautiful exhibitions of its worth, which every traveler may see. Sometimes it lies far deeper, and requires much sldU in discovering it, and much persevering meditation and study to obtain and separate it. But the gold is always really in the mine. And it will always prove really worth every effort which you may make to get it. If you gain a real living interest in the glorious Saviour, and enjoy the peace and hope which he imparts, you will feel rewarded a thousand-fold, for all the toil his service costs. But never be satisfied with your study of the Bible, until you reaUy understand and enjoy this word of life.

Many years ago I visited a friend living in the valley of "Wyoming, on the Susquehanna river. His beautiful farm extended back from the river into the hills which bound the valley. In examining his ground among the hills, far back from the river, he discovered

THE BOOK OF EUTH. 21

the cropping out of coal upon the hill-side. He knew immediately that there was a mine beneath. But instead of digging just where he saw the coal, his scientific skill led him to calculate " the dip" of the mine ; that is, its inchnation or slope. Then he went down to the edge of the river, and began to dig a canal for boats, from the river back to the hills. Ignorant men wondered at such strange labor. They almost thought him insane. Why should a man dig a canal from the river to stop at the foot of an impassable mountain ? But he persevered in his work without explaining his design. And, when he had finished his plan, and they saw his work completed, the worth of his science and skill appeared, and they were glad to acknowledge it. His canal stopped at the face of a beautiful vein of coal which dipped toward the river. He could thus take out his coal with boats in the very bosom of his mine, while all the water from the mine drained into the canal, and left his coal dry. The same skillful plan found the coal, drained the mine, and opened his coal to an easy transportation for sale.

The Old Testament is a rich mine of Gospel truth. The Gospel lies hidden there in all its fullness and worth. The Saviour is to be found under all the types and histojies which are there contained. It is your privilege to search these Scriptures for that knowledge of your Saviour which is eternal life. These types and histories are like pictures of our blessed Lord, in the different parts of the work of his redemption for man, drawn by the Holy Spirit for man's instruction. The Old Testament is full of them, and thus full of the knowledge of Christ. that I could persuade my young friends to search for this knowledge ; to feel and to say, *' How I love Thy word ! it is dearer to me than thousands of gold and silver." Never be contented with your study of any part of the Holy Scriptures, until you find yourself growing under its instruction, in the knowl-

THE BOOK OF RUTH. 23

edge and love of your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The Holy Scriptures are a deep, pure sea. The Saviour is the pearl of great price which lies at the bottom of the deep. Perhaps many may search there and not find it. In some particular effort you may for a time search in vain. But if you persevere in your search, you will surely find at last the pearl you seek. And then it will repay you for all your toil. You will cheerfully sell all that you have to buy it. All that you can desire is not to be compared to it.

" The world its fancied pearl may crave, 'Tis not the pearl for me, 'Twill dim its lustre in the grave,

'Twill perish in the sea.

But there 's a pearl of price untold, That never can he bought with gold. The sinking soul 'twill save : 0, that's the pearl for me."

This is the pearl I would have you find in the history of Kuth. What can it teach me of Christ ? What will it show me of the way of his salvation, or of the blessings and privileges which he bestows upon his people ? This is the great object of our study here. I might justly say, this is the only really great and important object of life itself. We never really know how to live until we can say, " for me to live is Christ." Wise and happy will you be to part with every thing beside, if you may win him as your portion, your everlasting inheritance.

This pearl here lies before you in the clearest sea. This pure gold is here scattered before you in every part of the field. You may gather durable riches here -with great delight, with little labor, and without weariness in the efibrt. If the Holy Spirit be pleased to teach you, you will see the marks of the Lord Jesus often before you, as you think on that which he has been pleased to write for you here. that he may write it all on the Hving tables of your -hearts, and give you of the hidden treasures of his grace, which are here laid up ! Then will your study of this inter-

THE BOOK OF RUTH. 25

esting book be bappy and useful. Tbe Saviour will come to dwell with you. You will find your refuge and sbelter with him. It will help to prepare you to dwell with him in the kingdom of his glory. It wiU teach you to join in that heavenly song which all the justified children of his grace sing for ever unto him. Happy, happy will you be, to make your choice like Euth's, and like her to find an everlasting home in your Great Kinsman's heavenly habitation.

' Let Pleasure cliant her syren song 1

'Tis not the song for me ; To weeping it will turn ere long,

For this is Heaven's decree.

But there's a song the ransom' d sing, To Jesus, their exalted King,

With joyful heart and tongue : O that's the song for me."

Ah, my dear young friends, try to learn that heavenly song with all the redeemed of God. Choose your part and portion in Christ, that his Spirit may teach you his truth, to love his service, to follow his commands, and 2 to walk in his steps. This will he a constant education for that glorified state, and an increasing acquaintance with its everlasting joys, where, with Ruth the Moabitess, and all the chosen family of God, you shall have your inheritance for ever. ^

There is no more important instrument for the attainment of this end, than your habitual and earnest study of the Word of God. Try to write its truths upon your memory, and im]orint its principles upon your hearts. Let no day of life pass without the sincere study of some portion of this Divine revelation from God to man. Neglect no part of it. Every word of God is good. The word of the Lord is perfect. Let it convert your souls. If any portion seems difficult or barren, it -^^11 only require the more earnest and careful thought. As your years go by, its habitual study will open new pleasures, and give new dehghts. Still brighter light will shine upon its pages. Still clearer and deeper truth will be laid open before your view.

THE BOOK OF EUTH. 27

learn to love your Bible more. It will be your inseparable treasure. You may carry it wherever you go. You may enjoy it wherever you are. You may feed upon it in health, and it will be your consolation in sickness. Its blessed instructions will enlighten your minds, and strengthen your hearts for every study and duty in life. Its precious words of life will still dwell in your memory, and cheer your hopes, in the last hours of your earthly day. When every thing outward has faded away, these blessed promises and truths will shine around you, like stars in midnight darkness, and make you feel never less alone than when you seem to have been cut off from all whom you have known and loved on earth.

Come, then, my dear young friends, let us search this heavenly mine, in the beautiful vein which the story of Kuth opens to our view, and there try to find and love the gracious Saviour whom Kuth so really found and so truly loved. Let us go into the clear depths of this heavenly sea, and try to obtain the blessed pearl of price for which Ruth counted ever^ thing else but loss. Then will you say, from the abiding enjoyment of your own hearts, "all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to this. Dearer to us than thousands of gold and silver, yea, than life itself, is that Divine Redeemer whom we have chosen for om^selves, as all our righteousness and our heritage for

II

Now it came to pass in the days when the Judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died ; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab ; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other was Euth ; and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died, also, both of them ; and the woman was left of her husband and her two sons." — Kuth, i. 1-5.

Thus the history of Kuth begins with a story of wanderers from God. It is a sad, but not a strange commencement. A family of Israelites are dwelling together in their native land, and the first knowledge we have of their particular history, is the knowledge of their folly. They went from the land of Israel, to sojourn in the country of Moab.

^ Why did they wander, and thus leave the home of their fathers ? The answer given is, ^' there was a famine in the land." God had sent upon them a temporary trouble, and they fled from it. But when God chastens us in his wisdom, our duty is to yield with contentment and submission. We should hear the rod, and Him who hath appointed it. When we patiently yield to his merciful chastisements, they become our most precious blessings. For the present they are not joyous, but grievous. But they produce for us the peaceable fruits of righteousness in the end, if we are properly exercised thereby. But trouble produced no peaceable fruits to the family with whose story this book begins. Instead of contentment, submission, and more affectionate obedience, we see a spirit of discontent and repining, which is allowed to drive them from their home into a strange land.

THE WANDEREKS. 31

" There was a famine in the land," and they fled from it. Temporary suffering made their home for a little while uncomfortable, and they could not patiently endure the will of Grod. It was their own land. It was their father's land. It was the Lord's land. Their family and friends were there. But there was a season of famine there, and therefore they would fly to some other land. But why should they fly .^ The next season might be better, and more than repay them for the losses of the present. The famine might follow them to the land whither they went, and make their sufferings greater there than at home. When Socrates was urged by his friends to escape from the prison where he was condemned to die, he answered them, '^ Tell me of a land where men do not die, and I will escape to that." How much better might this family have found a quiet submission to the will of God ! But no — a dead fly spoils the ointment of the apothecary. A single trouble makes men forget a thousand blessings. A solitary want will blot out the grateful memory of innumerable comforts. *' There is a famine in the land/' and they have determined to remove.

What an illustration this is, of sinful, foolish man ! Adam had all the garden of Eden. He might freely eat of every tree of the garden. There was enough, and more than enough to make him entirely satisfied and happy. But there was one prohibition, a single restraint, one tree of which he must not eat. And for this how easily he was tempted to feel that there was a famine in the land ! An injustice was done to him, he thought, and he must not yield to such an arbitrary restraint. Discontented, rebellious, repining thoughts were stirred up in his mind toward God. And he was persuaded to eat, though God had said '' thou shalt not eat." One single restraint made him a voluntary wanderer from God. ^

How easUy have all who have descended from him rebelled and wandered since ! In-

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stead of submitting, enduring, loving, hoping still, when God is pleased to restrain and correct us, we constantly try to run from his control ; we refuse to have him to reign over us. Like wandering birds driven from their nest. Like wandering stars rushing into darkness. Like waves of the sea, driven of the wind, and tossed. Thus we wander in sin, we know not where, we know not to what. Forsaking the fountain of living waters, we hew out to ourselves broken cisterns, that can hold no water. But can we ever find happiness in running away from God 7 Is there any happiness but in a cheerful, filial submission to God.?