Ruth 3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:11

And now, my daughter, fear not: all that thou sayest I shall do to thee, for it is on all hands known in the gate of my people that thou art a truly capable woman. The word חָיִל in the expression אֵשֶׁת חֱיִל is of many-sided import, and has no synonym in English, German, Latin, or Greek. But every side of its import brings into view one or other or more of such affiliated ideas as strength , force , forces , capability —whether mental and moral only, or also financial; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:11

A virtuous woman. The circumstances of the narrative read strangely to us. But one nation and one age cannot fairly apply its standards to another. Nothing is more certain than that the conduct of Naomi, of Ruth, and of Boaz was perfectly correct, and probably Ruth's proceeding was wise and justifiable. Upon her character no breath of suspicion rested; she was, in the language of the text, "a virtuous woman." I. RUTH 'S VIRTUE WAS MANIFESTED BY HER CIRCUMSPECT CONDUCT ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:11

Above rubies. "A virtuous woman." Here is the crown of all beauty. What a renown is this of Ruth's. No jeweled necklet, no Eastern retinue, can give such attraction as this. We may have women of genius, and we admire genius; we may have women of scientific attainment, and God has given no lack of intellectual endowments to women, but we must have virtue. Let the history of later Rome tell us what the loss of this is. I. NO LIFE IS HIDDEN . "All the city of my people doth know... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:12

And now it is the case of a truth that while I am a kinsman, there is yet a kinsman nearer than I. Or the rendering might with greater brevity be given thus: And now of a truth I am a kinsman; and yet there is a kinsman nearer than I. The survivals of a very ancient style of elaborately-detailed composition are here preserved. The archaism, however, was not quite appreciated by the Mazorites, who, in accordance with the spirit of the age in which they flourished, took but little note of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:12

Note the highly honorable character of Boaz. There was one nearer in kinship to Ruth than himself. This person, therefore, must receive the first offer. Had the case come before Boaz as simply one of personal affection, he would in all probability have made no reference to the nearer kinsman. But as it had come before him in its relation to the deceased, and connected itself with Ruth because of her relation to the deceased, he felt that he must act in strictest honor. There were rights of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:12

A woman's influence. In all history woman has held a place of regal influence. Not by intruding on the sphere of man, not by acting as if there were no Divine providence in the more delicate physical constitution of woman which incapacitates her for the strain of hardest toil; but in the ideal of "home," in which she is to be the "abiding" one, filling it with the charm of quiet influence and the sacredness of self-sacrificing love. I. HERE IS A STRANGE CONJUNCTION OF TERMS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:12-13

Respect for others' rights. The situation in which Boaz found himself was very singular. All that he had heard and all that he had observed of this young Moabitess had impressed him favorably. His language and his conduct show that Ruth had made an impression upon his heart. And it was honorable to him that it was so. Her youth, her beauty, her misfortunes, her industry, her cheerfulness, her filial devotedness, her virtue, her piety, all commended her to the judgment and the affections of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:13

Abide here tonight; and it shall come to pass in the morning, if he will act to thee the part of a kinsman, well; he shall act the kinsman's part: and if it please him not to act to thee the kinsman's part, then sure as Yahveh is alive, I will act to thee the kinsman's part. Lie still till the morning. Love is quick-witted. Boaz's plan of operations would formulate itself on the spur of the moment; but the remainder of the night would doubtless be spent in maturing the details of procedure.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:13

Boaz's mind still runs on the lines of a kinsman's duty. There was hence something that might be thrust in between the desires of his heart and the object toward whom they trembled. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:14

And she lay at the place of his feet until morning: and she arose ere yet a man could distinguish his neighbor. In the original it is " the places of his feet" (see Ruth 3:4 ). Time would rapidly fly past. Sleep there would be none to either the one or the other. In mutual modesty they guarded each other's honor. Thoughts and feelings, narratives and projects, would be freely interchanged. Their mutual understanding would become complete. At length there began to be the first faint tinge... read more

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