Things Written Aforetime For Our Learning - The Story Of Ruth

by N. D. W. MILLER | Category: For Young Believers | Jan 1933

INTRODUCTION.

In the land of Havilah, we are told, "there is gold... and the gold of that land is good." Applied spiritually, this is true of the Book we now wish to consider. It contains the fine gold of the Sanctuary.

The Book of Ruth in its Divine setting, is like the word fitly spoken-an apple of gold in a basket of silver. In order to appreciate the book the more fully we must first of all understand what is meant by the opening words- "And it came to pus in the days when the judges judged." Those were dark days, for we read that the children of Israel "served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of the LORD that He had wrought for Israel. And Joshua... died... and also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the work which He had wrought for Israel ... And the LORD raised up judges ... And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and saved them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for it repented the LORD because of their groaning by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. But it came to pus, when the judge was dead, that they turned back, and dealt more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their doings, nor from their stubborn way ... In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes ... In those days there was no king in Israel ... And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel ... In those days there was no king in Israel : every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 2.7-10, 16, 18, 19; 17.6; 18.1; 19.1; 21. 25).

Four times God tells us that "In those days there was no king in Israel"; and twice God adds-" every man did that which was right in his own eyes." This, as we shall see, has a direct bearing upon the Story of Ruth, and tends to bring

out in beauteous contrast the faith and obedience of this honoured young woman.

There are some wonderful things recorded in the Book of Judges; but though it came to pass in those very days-" the days when the judges judged," that Ruth got her opportunity, yet her name is not found in Judges: she is honoured with a Book all to herself. This honour she shares with another delightful character-Esther. It is not the Book of Boaz, the mighty man of wealth; it is the Book of Ruth.

As to the setting of Ruth; the overruling hand of God is seen in the order in which the Books are given us in our Bibles; and especially is this evident in the earlier Books.

GENESIS-meaning the beginning, has a peculiarity all its own, hence it has been called the Seed-Plot of the Bible, because in this Book of Beginnings the seeds are planted from which all succeeding Truth springs. It begins with the creation and fall of man, as seen in Adam; and it ends with the rise and exaltation of man, as seen in Joseph. And in between we get the electing grace of God as seen in Abraham and his seed.

EXODUS--which might be called "the Book of the going out," speaks of Redemption-Israel's deliverance from the bondage of Egypt. It contains the Divine Record of a people redeemed, baptised, and pledged to obedience. To such a people God said, "Let them make Me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among them."

LEVITICUS is derived from Levi, and is largely a record of Aaron and his

sons. Here, God is speaking out of the Tent of Meeting; and the children of Israel are seen with their sacrifices and offerings; their worship, and their service. Here too, Christ's glory very manifestly gilds the Sacred Page.

NUMBERS may be called "in the wilderness " (verse 1). It is the Wilderness Book recording the journeyings and the wanderings of the children of Israel, as well as the numbering of the people.

Then comes DEUTERONOMY-meaning "the second Law," that is, a repetition of the laws and precepts already delivered; and it indicates what Israel, by their obedience, should have been. Although "a people that dwell alone, and ... not reckoned among the nations," they should have been a Testimony to the nations.

JOSHUA follows. Here we have the achievements of Joshua,

under the unseen leadership of the Captain of the host of the LORD. In the main, it is the Book of victory.

Then follows JUDGES, the sad characteristics of which we have already noted.

Then comes the Book of Ruth like a ray of sunshine between the dark and cloudy days of the Judges, and the First Book of Samuel. How wonderful are the ways of God!

Deep in unfathomable mines

Of never failing skill,

He treasures up His bright designs,

And works His sovereign will.

RUTH ends with the birth of Obed, who was the father of Jesse, the father of David, the man after God's own heart, in whose hand the Kingdom was established.

How dark, on the whole, were the days when the Judges judged! Days (not unlike our own) when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Yet, at that very time God gave Ruth her opportunity.

OPPORTUNITY! How wonderful to get an opportunity from God! The opportunity firstly, of getting to know God through hearing of Him as revealed in Scripture. "Belief cometh of hearing." Then the opportunity of pleasing Him, of serving Him and earning His "Well done."

In one of the old Greek cities there stood long ago a statue. An epigram was attached to it in the form of a conversation between a traveller and the statue. "What is thy name, 0 Statue? I am called Opportunity. Who made thee? Lysippus. Why art thou on thy toes? To show that I stay but a moment. Why hast thou wings on thy feet? To show how quickly I pass by. But why is thy hair so long on thy forehead? That men may seize me when they meet me. Why, then, is thy head so bald behind? To show that, when I have once passed, I cannot be caught.

How true! The opportunity comes. It may be the only one. If we do not seize it, it is gone. Other opportunities we may have in God's goodness, but that one, if not laid hold of, is gone for ever. God gave Ruth an opportunity in the dark land of Moab-and in the dark and cloudy day.

Faith, or belief, as we have said, "Cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Ruth must be regarded as among the unnamed worthies in Hebrews 11., for "through faith" she was one of them that "obtained promises." Her heart was like the good ground of the great parable. "That in the good ground," said the Lord Jesus, "these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience" (Luke 8. 15).

The Book of Ruth itself is in our English Bible composed of four chapters, in which God gives us a four-fold view of Ruth. Her decision comes first, as in chapter 1. In chapter 2. we see her gleaning with the reapers among the sheaves in the field of her redeemer. Chapter 3. presents Ruth as resting-at

his feet. And in chapter 4. Ruth received a full reward from the God of Israel, under whose wings she had come to take refuge.

There is much of grace and glory attached to this precious little Book. May the Holy Spirit unfold its preciousness to us.

N. D. W. MILLER | Jan 1933
For Young Believers