The Analysed Bible, Volumes 1, 2, 3, by Rev. G. Campbell Morgan: The Book of Ruth - Analysed and Explained in Detail (Full Text and PDF).

A detailed analysis of the book of Ruth: Faith and Faithlessness.

To the best of our knowledge we are of the understanding that this book, being published in 1907, and freely available elsewhere on the internet is in the public domain.

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The Book of Ruth - Analysed and Explained in Summary - Volumes 1, 2, and 3 of "The Analysed Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.

To the best of our knowledge we are of the understanding that this book, taken from Volumes 1, 2, & 3 of the "Analysed Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan published in 1907, and freely available elsewhere on the internet is in the public domain.

RUTH - FAITH AMID FAITHLESSNESS

Part A: THE CHOICE OF FAITH - Ruth 1:1-2:23

A1. Naomi's Sorrows - Ruth 1:1-1:13

  1. Elimelech to Moab - 1:1-1:2
  2. The Sorrows - 1:3-1:13

A2. Ruth's Choice - Ruth 1:14-1:22

  1. Orpah - 1:14
  2. Ruth - 1:15-1:18
  3. The Home-Coming of Bitterness - 1:19-1:22

A3. Boaz' Field - Ruth 2:1-2:23

  1. Ruth's Purpose - 2:1-2:3
  2. Boaz - 2:4-2:16
  3. The Means of Support - 2:17-2:23

Part B: THE VENTURE OF FAITH - Ruth 3:1-3:18

B1. Naomi - Ruth 3:1-3:5

  1. Doubtful, yet in light of times

B2. Ruth - Ruth 3:6-3:9

  1. The Claims of Kinsman Rights

B3. Boaz - Ruth 3:10-3:18

  1. The Appeal to the next of Kin
  2. The Tender Love

Part C: THE REWARD OF FAITH - Ruth 4:1-4:22

C1. The Redemption - Ruth 4:1-4:12

C2. The Marriage - Ruth 4:13-4:13a

C3. The Issue - Ruth 4:13b-4:22

Introduction

The book of Ruth stands in striking contrast to the book of Judges, and yet is closely connected with it. In that book the national outlook has been presented, and so dark has it been as to create the impression of universal pollution. The story of Ruth illustrates the truth that God has never left Himself absolutely without witness. Throughout all the period of degeneracy there had been loyal and beautiful souls: children of faith, living, in the midst of the conflict and strife, the life of loyalty to God, simple, trustful, and triumphant.

This book is the story of a few such. Some incidents in their history are grouped together with fine poetic beauty. It is indeed an idyll of faithfulness amid infidelity. It has, moreover, the value of being a link in the history, showing how God led on to the next stage. All the interest of the book centres around the persons whose names are on every page. It may be divided into three divisions: the Choice of Faith (1-2); the Venture of Faith (3); the Reward of Faith (4).

A. The Choice of Faith - Ruth 1:1-2:23

During a time of famine Elimelech, his wife, and two sons, went into the country of Moab to find bread and escape trouble. It is questionable whether their action was justified, and the sorrows which followed would seem to be of the nature of chastisement. To begin with, their sons married Moabitish women. Then Elimelech died, and his sons also, so that sorrow on sorrow came to the heart of Naomi. It is perfectly evident, however, that their action was rather that of foolish blundering than of wilful rebellion. Through all they maintained their faith in the one God. Perhaps it would be nearer the actual facts of the case to say that Naomi, through all her suffering, was loyal. When the heart at its deepest is true to God, grace finds an opportunity to work through chastisement to best results, notwithstanding the follies of a faltering faith.

When at last Naomi turned her face again to her own country, with great generosity she urged her daughters-in-law to leave her, and settle among their own people. This was the occasion of that choice of Ruth which in its devotion, and in the manner in which she expressed it, has become enshrined in the admiration of the world. With constant recurrence Ruth's language has been used to express the fidelity of love. It was the choice of a strong affection. The young woman found her heart closely knit to the older one, and she declined to be severed from her in the pathway that lay before her, choosing to share whatever the future might have in store for the one upon whom her love was set. This hardly touches the deepest note, for it is impossible to read her language without seeing that the very reason of her love for Naomi was the new faith which she had learned from her. The deepest note in her expression of devotion was "thy God my God," and it was to Jehovah she appealed. She announced her devotion to Naomi even to death. The language of Naomi at the home-coming showed that she looked upon the sorrows that had come to her as God's testimony against her. and His affliction of her. There was no touch of rebellion in what she said, but that gracious recognition of chastisement which always indicates that the lessons have been learned.

The home-coming was to poverty, and the practical problem of life faced the two women. This was rendered more difificult by the fact that Ruth was a Moabitess. Yet she it was who faced the fight, and went forth as a gleaner to gather what would suffice for present sustenance. The human side of things is beautifully expressed in the words, "Her hap was to light on the portion of the field belonging unto Boaz." The lines of the picture are few, but they are strong, and a man of fine quality is revealed to us. His greeting to his labourers, "The Lord be with you," and their ready response, "The Lord bless thee," reveal a man of strong and yet natural religious life. His presence in the field, overseeing the affairs of harvest, and his quick recognition of the strange girl gleaning, show a man of business capacity. Then all the rest of the story evidences the graciousness of his temper and the greatness of his heart. He knew that in all probability a Moabitish woman would not be very earnestly welcomed among his people; and he therefore, with assiduous care, provided for her. His influence is at once seen in the absence of objection among the people, and their readiness to co-operate with him. In short, Boaz stands out as a man of finest fibre, living simply and strongly in a degenerate age.

B. The Venture of Faith - Ruth 3:1-3:18

Gleaning as a means of livelihood could only last through harvest, and Naomi was anxious about the future, especially that of Ruth. As the outcome of her anxiety we have the story of her venture to interest Boaz more fully, and bring about a marriage between him and Ruth. Of course the expedient to which she resorted must be judged, in the light of her own age, as we have so constantly to remember. Yet, notwithstanding this, it can hardly be characterized as other than doubtful, and on the basis of faith it is difficult to justify it.

Yet again, it was rather an error of judgment than wilful disobedience, and the overruling love of God moved on to beneficent issue. One element, and perhaps the strongest, was the confidence in Boaz which this venture revealed. In order to provide for the future, Naomi's appeal should have been made to one nearer of kin, but the whole attitude of Boaz toward Ruth had inspired such confidence in him that it was through him she hoped for succour. The story of her venture was on the whole to his honour rather than to theirs.

C. The Reward of Faith - Ruth 4:1-4:22

The nobility and faithfulness of Boaz are manifest in this story. It is hardly possible to read this book naturally without believing that Boaz had already found himself in love with Ruth, and there is no doubt that he was perfectly ready to take the responsibility of the next-of-kin, but there was one who had a prior right, and in loyalty to the law of his people he gave him the opportunity. It is an interesting picture presented to us of the gathering of the elders in the gate, and the legal statement of the case. The next-of-kin had a perfect right to abandon his claim, seeing that another was ready to assume it; and moreover, it can hardly be denied that he was justified on the ground of not desiring to run the risk of impoverishing his own family, seeing that Boaz was well able to fulfil all the obligations of the case.

The story ends with poetic simplicity and beauty. "Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife." Nothing need be added to this to indicate the joy and reward of two faithful souls, Naomi was at last comforted. The women of her own people spoke words of cheer to her, which unquestionably were full of comfort as they sang the praise of the one who had chosen to share her affliction, and had become the medium of her succour.

There is a stately simplicity in the story of the issue. "They called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David." In this final word of the book there is manifest the Divine movement in the history of the chosen people. Thus the kingly line was ordered in the midst of infidelity, through faithful souls. Presently the people clamoured for a king, and one was appointed for a time, through whom they learned the difference between earthly rule and the direct government of God. The man after God's own heart succeeded him, and his coming was from those who had realized the Divine ideal, and walked humbly with God. Yet a larger issue followed as the centuries passed. From this union came at last, as to the flesh, Jesus the Christ.