"We are witnesses," said the elders and all the people at the gate. "May the LORD make the woman entering your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem. Sermons
I. KIND WISHES ARE FOUNDED IN A PRINCIPLE DIVINELY PLANTED IN HUMAN NATURE. Sympathy is a principle of human nature. Benevolence is as natural as selfishness, though less powerful over most minds. And we should "rejoice with those who do rejoice." II. IT IS RIGHT THAT KIND WISHES SHOULD BE EXPRESSED IN WORDS. There is no doubt danger lest insincerity should creep into the customary salutations and benedictions of life; many compliments are utterly insincere. Yet even the most scrupulous and veracious may legitimately utter good wishes. It is churlish to withhold such utterances. III. CHRISTIANITY GIVES A RICH, FULL MEANING TO THE KIND WISHES OF FRIENDSHIP. For our religion teaches us to turn every wish into a prayer. It is a sufficient condemnation of a wish that it cannot take this form. With Christians, "God bless you!" should be a hearty and fervent intercession. - T.
Ruth the Moabitess... have I purchased to be my wife. Two features which stand prominent in this description make it valuable for all time.1. There is the publicity by which the interesting transaction was distinguished. All the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses." The laws and customs of every country not in the lowest stage of barbarism or in the foulest depths of licentiousness have provided that the conjugal relation shall be formed in the presence of qualified witnesses, and in the observance of certain well-understood ceremonies and forms. This is appointed for reasons of obvious propriety, especially to enforce fidelity, and to secure permanence to the connection, and, by a line sufficiently distinct and broad, to separate virtuous marriage from all illicit and impure connections. Clandestine marriages are always disreputable in themselves. Then — 2. Let us not leave unnoticed the religious spirit in which the union was formed. The devout benedictions of the elders and the other witnesses were showered upon Boaz and his bride with all the lavish profusion of a most hearty goodwill, and prayers ascended for them to Him who in all ages has looked approvingly on virtuous wedlock. It is one of the marks of the divinity of our religion that it touches our humanity on all sides. Surely the formation of the marriage-bond pre-eminently ought to be "sanctified by the Word of God and prayer." (A. Thomson, D. D.) 1. Because they could reckon on God's blessing, and doubtless both earnestly prayed for it. 2. Again, we may be sure it was a happy marriage, for there was a oneness of feeling between Boaz and Ruth. They both loved God. They were both journeying on one and the same road. They were partners for eternity. It matters little, whether earthly comforts be many or few; if the hearts within it are bound together by that bond which is stronger even than the tie of affection — the bond of grace — then, be assured, there will be happiness. (Bp. Oxenden.) (C. H. Parkhurst, D. D.) People Amminadab, Boaz, Chilion, David, Elimelech, Ephratah, Ephrath, Hezron, Jesse, Leah, Mahlon, Nahshon, Naomi, Obed, Perez, Pharez, Rachel, Ruth, Salmon, TamarPlaces Bethlehem, Ephrathah, MoabTopics Achieve, Acquire, Bethlehem, Beth-lehem, Build, Builders, Built, Court, Elders, Ephratah, Ephrath, Ephrathah, Eph'rathah, Famous, Gate, Home, Leah, Power, Proclaim, Prosper, Public, Rachel, Renowned, Responsible, Standing, Thyself, Treat, Virtuously, Wealth, Witnesses, WorthilyOutline 1. Boaz calls into judgment the next kinsman6. He refuses the redemption according to the manner in Israel 9. Boaz buys the inheritance 11. He marries Ruth 13. She bears Obed, the grandfather of David 18. The generations of Pharez unto David Dictionary of Bible Themes Ruth 4:11 5671 clan Library The Gospel of MatthewMatthew's Gospel breaks the long silence that followed the ministry of Malachi the last of the Old Testament prophets. This silence extended for four hundred years, and during that time God was hid from Israel's view. Throughout this period there were no angelic manifestations, no prophet spake for Jehovah, and, though the Chosen People were sorely pressed, yet were there no Divine interpositions on their behalf. For four centuries God shut His people up to His written Word. Again and again had God … Arthur W. Pink—Why Four Gospels? Christ the Redeemer Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied in Ancient Rabbinic Writings Job's Faith and Expectation Ruth Links Ruth 4:11 NIVRuth 4:11 NLT Ruth 4:11 ESV Ruth 4:11 NASB Ruth 4:11 KJV Ruth 4:11 Bible Apps Ruth 4:11 Parallel Ruth 4:11 Biblia Paralela Ruth 4:11 Chinese Bible Ruth 4:11 French Bible Ruth 4:11 German Bible Ruth 4:11 Commentaries Bible Hub |
    |