Ruths Recompense, Commentary on Ruth · Chapter 1 · Verse 1
Verſe 1. And it came to paſſe in the dayes when the Iudges ruled, that there was a famine in the Land, and a certaine man of Bethlehem Iudah went to ſoiourne in the Countrey of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two ſonnes.
THis verſe is an entrance into the Story, and is the deſcription of a iourney: and therein note, when, vponupon what occaſion, from whence, whither, and who tooke it in hand, and with what company he finiſhed it.
And it came to paſſe.] To wit, by the hand and prouidence of God. Thus he beginneth this Hiſtory, to note a ſpeciall hand of God in all this buſineſſe, beyond mans purpoſe and thought, in bringing a famine, and in Elimelechs going into Moab, to take a wife for his ſonne, euen this Ruth, to make her a mother in Iſrael: and therefore are we diligently to marke the prouidence of God in reading this Storie.
In the dayes when the Iudges ruled.] This telleth vsus, when this happened; In hiſtoricall narrations the time with other circumſtances are ſet downe, for more credit to the Story, Iudg. 1. 1. 2. Sam. 1. 1. 1. King. 1. 1. As in humane Stories this is obſerued, ſo here in Diuine. Thus God in mercy deſcendeth to vsus, for the better confirmation of our weake faith, for which hee is to be praiſed. We may note out of theſe words:
I. That the Iſraelites were euer vnderunder gouernement, vnderunder Moſes, Ioſhua, the Iudges, and then Kings: this was needefull, to preuent diſorder and confuſion of State, when men are not vnderunder rule and gouernement: for then will eueryevery one doe what he liſteth, Iudg. 18. and 20. Which condemneth Anarchie and all looſe liberty, deſtruction to Church and Common-wealth.
II. That their gouernement was firſt by Iudges, Ioſephus in Antiq. lib. 4. cap. 8. de Ariſtocratia.that they might ſee the Lords extraordinarie hand in this gouerning of them, 1. Sam. 8. 6, 7. and that they might not bee as other Nations, 1. Sam. 8. 5. nor in bondage, 1. Sam. 8. 9, 18. Theſe Iudges were raiſed vp for the moſt part extraordinarily, to ſhew more fully the Lords care of his people, they were worthy and excellent men, not all of the ſame Tribe and Family, but ſometime of one, then of another: they ruled not by tyranny, or the aduice of man, but by the counſell and guidance of God; They loaded not the people with heauie burthens to mainetaine great State: In their daies, they ſought the welfare of the people, the glory of God, not their owne wills and pleaſures to rule after their owne luſts. They would not raigne themſelues, but theIudg. 8. 23. Lord, as Gideon ſaid, ſhould raigne ouer the people. Thus happily did the Lord prouide for his people, till they did ſhake off his yoake, and brought themſelues into bondage: for ſo it falleth out, if men like not of Gods choyce, he leaueth them to their owne, of which they ſhall bee ſure to repent.
III. That ſuch as be ſet ouer a people, are to rule them, but yet in iudgement: for the Hebrew word tranſlated Ruled, is Iudged, and Rulers were to iudge, 1. Sam. 7. 15. And this muſt they doe, euen labour wiſely to rule and gouerne in iudgement. They are to rule, to maintaine their authority, which elſe will lie, through contempt, in the duſt, and they muſt doe it in iudgement, that equitie may be vpheld, and nothing be done raſhly, partially, and to the hurt of innocencie.
That there was a famine.] This might happen many waies by the incurſion of Forraine enemies, by ciuill warres among themſelues, or by reſtraint of ſeaſonable ſhowres from heauen: howſoeuer it came, ſinne was the cauſe thereof: for wee may reade in the time of theſe Iudges, howſoeuer they themſelues did valiantly, and right worthily in Iſrael, yet the people would run into many miſchiefes, ſo as we by ſearching, may find theſe euils among them: A toleration of Idolaters, and publike Monuments of Idolatrie, Iud. 1. 21, 27, 29, 30. and 3. 5. and 2. 2. contrary to Gods expreſſe Commandement by the hand of Moſes. They fell themſelues vntounto idolatry, Ch. 2. 11, 12, 13, 17. and 8. 27. for but tolerate it in others firſt, then we like it at length in our ſelues, as many examples witneſſe. They would defend it, and that with bloodſhed, Chap. 6. 30. for Idolaters are of a murtherous diſpoſition, as their god-Deuill is, whome they worſhip, as Manaſſes, Ioaſh, Iehoram, and other Kings doe manifeſtly declare, and as wee hauehave experimentally found at the hands of Papiſts. See heere a toleration firſt, then an approbation, then an open defence of an idolatrous worſhip; and when this is once on foote, what darkeneſſe doth not ouerſpread? They did what themſelues liſted, Chap. 17. 6. and 18. 1. and 21. 25. They fell to adultery, and filthy Sodomitry, Chap. 19. Thus they forgot the Lords mercies, and therefore he ſeuerely puniſhed them, as the ſtory of the Iudges ſhew, in giuing them into the hands of their enemies, grieuouſly to oppreſſe them; and heere by famine to plague them. From whence we may obſerue:
I. That ſins, eſpecially theſe aforenamed, deſerue the Iudgements of God, Deut. 28. 1. King. 8. 35, 36, 37. becauſe ſinnes prouoke and incenſe the wrathfull indignation of the Lord againſt men, as appeareth by his terrible threatnings, Pſ. 11. 6. Rom. 2. and his inflicted puniſhments vponupon euill doers, of which there want not examples in the Scripture: as the old world, Sodom, Iſraelites in Wilderneſſe, in Canaan; and therefore to eſcape plagues, let vsus take heede of ſinne, Ezech. 18. 31. Reu. 18.
II. That famine and dearth is a puniſhment for ſinne, and that a great plague, Ezech. 5. 16. Deut. 28. 23, 24. Leuit. 26. 19, 20. Amos 4. Therefore to auoide it, either preuent ſinne, that it bee not committed, or if we be ouertaken, repent of ſinne, and that ſincerely, and ſpeedily. And when this hand of God commeth vponupon vsus, let vsus ſearch our waies, and let vsus humble our ſelues, 2. Chro. 7. 14. that the Lord may heale our Land: for it is a terrible iudgement, 1. Sam. 24. 14. and without mercy, 2. King. 6. 10, 29. Ezech. 4. 10. This famine men do know: yet there is another Famine, which few know, or if they know it, they feare it not, the famine of the Word, Amos 8. 11. which the Lord threatneth by that Prophet, as a greater plague, than th… famine of bread and water, the foode for the body: and yet alas, who feareth it? who are touched with the terrour of this plague?
III. We may hereby ſee how God made his word good vponupon them, and that he dallyeth not with his people, in denouncing iudgements against them: for Moſes had told them, Deut. 28. that God would thus afflict them, if they would bee rebellious againſt hm: and heere the ſtory telleth vsus, that in the daies of the Iudges, this plague of famine came vponupon them. This Ezechiel verifieth in Chap. 6. 10. and the puniſhments inflicted, as the Lord denounced them, ſhewe the truth hereof, that the Lord ſpeaketh ſeriouſly; hee doth not ieſt with ſinners; he will certainely make good vponupon them what he threatneth, as may be ſeene vponupon Iezabel, Ely's ſons, and vponupon his houſe, vponupon I…roboam, Ioachin, Zedechiah, and on Ieruſalem. For the Lord is the God that hateth iniquity, and is iuſt in his Word, euen the God of Truth, as well in threats, as in promiſes: And therefore let vsus feare the Lyons roaring, and not be like him that bleſſeth himſelfe, and dreadeth not the curſe, Deu. 29. 18. but preſumeth of mercy, as if God were not alſo iuſt to puniſh offenders. But ſuch muſt know, they deceiue themſelues, they harden their own harts, they abuſe Gods mercy, which is to worke feare, Pſal. 130. 4. Ier. 33. 9. and obedience, Rom. 12. 1. They ſpoyle God of his Iuſtice and Truth in his threats, & incenſe the Lords wrath to plague them in a high degree, as he threatneth in Deuteronomie 29. 19.
In the Land.] In the Land of Canaan, the Kingdome of Iſrael, where God had placed them, planted them, and promiſed to them his bleſſings plentifully: yet ſee now, for their ſinnes, in a Land once flowing with Milke and Honey, Ezech. 20. 6. they finde ſcarcity. Hence note:
I. That people depriue themſelues, by their ſinnes, of that which God had giuen, and they enioyed, according to his promiſe. For ſinne will depriue Angels of heauen, Adam of Paradiſe, Cain of his honour, Ruben of his birth-right, thouſands of the Land of Canaan, though they came out of Egypt: Ieruſalem of her Kings, her Temple, Peace and proſperity; men of their honours, as Ieroboam, Haman; of their libertie, as Manaſſes; of health, as Vzziah; of their liues, as Corah with his company. Let vsus then blame our ſelues for our miſeries, and not the Lord for puniſhing vsus, as wee deſerue. And if we would hold the bleſſings which wee doe inioy, beware of ſinne, which will robbe vsus of all we hauehave.
II. That a fruitfull Land is made barraine for the ſinnes of the inhabitants thereof, Pſal. 107. Leu. 26. 19, 20. And theſe ſins in particular procure this plague; The abuſe of Gods mercies, Luk. 15. 14. Idolatrie, 1. King. 17. 1. 2. King. 4. 36. The murthering of innocents, 2. Sam. 21. 1. and the oppreſſion of the poore, Amos 4. 1, 6. Know then how to preuent hereby ſcarcity: and in the time of want, turne from ſinne by repentance, and blame not the heauens, or earth: murmure not againſt vnſeaſonable weather, but be diſpleaſed with our ſinfull ſelues.
III. Iudgement begins at the houſe of the Lord, 1. Pet. 4. Ezech. 9. hee will ſhew his hatred of ſinne vponupon the land of the liuing: for he cannot ſuffer euill in his people; if a Moſes, an Aaron, a Dauid, a Ioſias ſinne, they ſhall feele the ſmart of it. Now therefore if iudgement begin at Gods Houſe, what ſhall become of Gods enemies? If the Church feele wrath, what may the Aduerſaries expect?
A certaine man of Bethlehem Iudah.] Iudah the Royall Tribe: And this is added for diſtinction, becauſe there was another Bethlehem in Zebulon, Ioſh. 19. 15. This Bethlehem was called Ephrata, Gen. 35. 13. ſixe miles from Ieruſalem, as ſome ſay: here Iacob fed his ſheepe, Gen. 31. heere Rachel died, Dauid was borne, and Ieſus Chriſt our Lord; It had the name from Plenty, and ſignifieth the Houſe of bread; So as we ſee, the noble Tribe of Iudah, and this honourable place of Bethlehem felt this ſcourge of God. No place is exempt from the puniſhment, where ſinne is ſuffered to reigne: It bringeth famine vponupon Bethlehem Iudah, and on the Land of Iſrael, it bringeth the ſword and famine into Ieruſalem. There is then no place to keepe vsus free from feeling the puniſhment, if ſinne be not remoued: chaſe out this, and call home againe the Lords bleſſings.
Went to ſoiourne.] As a ſtranger in another Countrey from his owne home. We here ſee, how God can remoue by one meanes or another, men out of ther homes and harbour. Dauid, through iuſt feare of Abſalom out of Ieruſalem; Manaſſes by force out of his Kingdome into priſon: other by vnthriftineſſe caſt out themſelues: ſome voluntarily leaue their habitation and place of abode, and returne not againe. All which came about by the hand of God, who hath all things at his diſpoſing, that no man may thinke himſelfe ſecurely ſettled; eſpecially if he be a Shebnah, the LordEſay. 22. 15, 16, 17. will driue ſuch out, Amos 4. 2, 3. Note againe, how feare of corporall wants will make men leaue their home, their natiue ſoyle, their friends and kindred, to goe into a ſtrange countrey. So forcible is nature for preſeruation of bodily life, which man ſo much eſteemeth and loueth. This ſhould then make men care to keepe the bleſſings prouidently, and frugally, alſo to auoide the occaſions and meanes of waſtfull miſspending, ſeeing ſeare of want will thus work. And if the louelove of corporall life be ſo forcible, how much more the louelove of eternall life, for which we ſhould be willing to forſake all? But alas, the leaſt worldly gaine, or carnall pleaſure baniſheth this louelove out of many mens hearts, who rather follow here Elimelech, to leaue the people of God, to goe into Moab for the world, than Abraham, to forſake his Countrie, at the comandement of God.
In the Country of Moab.] This Moab was inhabited by thoſe which came of Lots eldeſt ſonneGen. 19. 37. Num. 22. 6. inceſtuouſly begotten; of this was Balak King, who hyred Balaam to curſe Iſrael, who committed fornication with the Daughters thereof, to the deſtruction of thouſands; ouer this Land reigned Eglon, who ſmote Iſrael, and poſſeſſed ſomeIudg. 3. 12. 13, 14, part of the Land, and kept them in bondage eighteene yeeres; ſome think that Elimelech iournied to Moab in his dayes: howſoeuer, by this wee may learne, that wicked Idolaters may hauehave ſometime plenty, when the people of God are in want. Here Moab had plenty, when Iſrael was vnderunder a famine. Of the proſperity of the wicked, read Pſal. 73. 4. & 17. 14. & 37. 15. Iob 21. 7, 13. and of the troubles of the godly, Heb. 11. 37. And this commeth to paſſe, becauſe the wicked are at home here; here their heauen and time of reioycing: but the godly are not here at home, the Lord looketh for their comming to him, and therefore prepareth them by croſſes, he loueth them, and therefore doth he correct them, that they might not be damned. Hence then it followeth, that we are not to iudge mens ſpirituall eſtates by outward proſperity or aduerſitie; for the wicked hauehave the greateſt portion of the things of this life: See it in the parable of the Rich man and Lazarus. Why doe men then bleſſe themſelues for their wealth and honour, and deſpiſe their poore brethren, in a farre better eſtate before God than they?
Queſt. Whether did Elimelech well to goe from Bethlehem, into ſuch an idolatrous country?
Anſw. It may ſeeme not, becauſe he went of diſtruſt, rather than of preſent want, verſe 21. and for that he left the place of Gods true worſhip, and where the Lord promiſed his bleſſing, Canaan alſo being a type of the Kingdome of heauen, to goe among the wicked Idolaters, whom the Lord by name alſo had forbidden to be receiued vntounto his people, Deut. 23. 3. Neh. 13. 1. Further, hereby he could not but endanger his family, to be defiled by idolatrie, if the Lord had not beene more mercifull. And to cōclude this: We ſee how the Lords taking both him and his ſonnes away, may ſomewhat perſwade, that he did not wel, ſeeing the Lord ſuffered him not to returne home againe. True it is, that Dauid went out of Iudah, vntounto Idolaters, for feare of Saul, but it was againſt his will, and with much ſorrow of heart. Abraham, he traueled into Egypt, but it was at Gods bidding: and the Shunamite might by the Prophets warrant goe into ſome place out of Iſrael, to preuent the miſery of famine, 2. Kings 8. 1, 2. But what is this to ſuch as hauehave no ſuch warrant, but ſuch mouing cauſes, as here?
Hee, and his wife, and his two ſonnes.] This is praiſe-worthy in him: For an honeſt man careth for his wife and children, as well as for himſelfe. Abraham tooke his wife with him into Egypt, Gen. 12. 18. Iacob all his with him, Gen. 42. for the wife is as himſelfe, Gen. 2. and ſo to be loued, Eph. 5. and the children are bone of his bone. Reaſon and nature tyed Elimelech to this: an example of a louing husband and of a naturall parent to be imitated; and which condemneth thoſe which runne away from wiſe and children, and are worſe than Infidels, 1. Tim. 5. 8. yea than the bruit beaſts. This mā led them, they followed him: ſo wines and children are to be companions with their husbands and parents in aduerſitie. Sarah will follow Abraham, Rachel and Lea Iacob from their country and fathers houſe; and Mary the mother of Ieſus will follow Ioſeph; for the husband is the head, and the bond of law bindeth thē thereto: which checketh the contrarie; if husbands and parents doe command to be followed & obeyed in things lawfull. If Elimelech, as it may ſeeme, did not well to goe, it may be queſtioned whether theſe did well to follow him? He might doe amiſſe, & not they being vnderunder his gouernmēt, ſo long as he led them not to doe euill, and to commit idolatrie, but for ſuſtentation of life, & in that country where they were not outwardly compelled to idolatrie, but might ſerue God, as they had learned at home. If any thinke otherwiſe either of Elimelechs going, or of his company, I contend not.