Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
Ruth
Book: Ruth
Chapter: 4
Overview:
The
Kinsman refuses to redeem
Ruth's inheritance.
(1-8) Boaz
marries
Ruth.
(9-12) Birth of
Obed.
(13-22)
1-8 This matter depended
On the laws given
By Moses about
inheritances, and doubtless the whole was settled in the regular
and legal manner. This
Kinsman, when he heard the conditions of
the bargain, refused it. In like manner many are shy of the
great
Redemption; they are not willing to
Espouse religion; they
have heard
Well of it, and have nothing to say against it; they
will give it their good
Word, but they are willing to part with
it, and cannot be bound to it, for fear of marring their own
inheritance in this world. The right was resigned to
Boaz. Fair
and open dealing in all matters of contract and trade, is what
all must make
Conscience of, who would approve themselves true
Israelites, without guile. Honesty will be found the best
policy.
9-12 Men are ready to seize opportunities for increasing their
estates, but few know the value of
Godliness. Such are the
Wise
men of this world, whom the
Lord charges with folly. They attend
not to the concerns of their souls, but reject the
Salvation of
Christ, for fear of marring their inheritance. But
God did
Boaz
the honour to bring him into the line of the
Messiah, while the
Kinsman, who was afraid of lessening himself, and marring his
inheritance, has his name, family, and inheritance forgotten.
13-22 Ruth bore a son, through whom
Thousands and myriads were
born to
God; and in being the lineal ancestor of
Christ, she was
instrumental in the happiness of all that shall be saved
By him;
even of us
Gentiles, as
Well as those of Jewish descent. She was
a
Witness for
God to the Gentile world, that he had not utterly
forsaken them, but that in due time they should become one with
his
Chosen people, and partake of his
Salvation.
Prayer to
God
attended the
Marriage, and praise to him attended the
Birth of
the
Child. What a pity it is that pious language should not be
more used among Christians, or that it should be let fall into
formality! Here is the descent of
David from
Ruth. And the
period came when
Bethlehem-
Judah displayed greater wonders than
those in the history of
Ruth, when the outcast
Babe of another
forlorn female of the same race appeared, controlling the
counsels of the Roman master of the world, and drawing princes
and
Wise men from the
East, with treasures of
Gold, and
Frankincense, and
Myrrh to his feet. His name shall endure for
ever, and all nations shall
Call Him blessed. In that Seed shall
all the nations of the
Earth be blessed.