And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. (17) And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. (18) Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.
Still spiritualizing the history of Ruth, we may remark on these verses, how strikingly they set forth the assurance seeking souls ought to have, so that it is impossible any of the praying seed of Jacob should ever seek the face of God in vain. When a poor awakened sinner hath been with Jesus, sought his face, implored his favour, and determines by grace to hang on him and his great salvation, until the Lord shall answer in mercy: as to Israel at the sea, the direction is, Stand still and see the salvation of God. We may in every instance, and upon every occasion, consider that prayer as good as a answered, which is asked in faith; founded in grace; and is resting upon covenant promises. And I do not know any passage in the whole bible more interesting, considered in reference to the person of the Lord Jesus, and his love and attention to his people, than this; in which Naomi saith: the man will not rest until he have finished the thing this day. A word which every true believer may use. The God-man Christ Jesus will not cease; doth not even now in glory remit one moment his priestly office, in the carrying on, and completing that redemption in his people, which on earth he finished for his people; when by righteousness he. justified them, and by the one offering of himself once offered, he perfected forever them that are sanctified. Hebrews 10:14. Lord! help both Writer and Reader to believe the record which God hath given of his Son! 1 John 5:10-12. And there is one circumstance more in those precious words, considered as applicable to the person of the God-man Christ Jesus, which I could wish ever to keep in view myself, And which I would affectionately recommend to every hover of Jesus: namely, that the seeking soul is not more earnest for a speedy issue in his treaty with Jesus, than the Lord Jesus himself is. Reader! it is equally true in the case of every humble follower of Jesus, as in the instance of Boaz and Ruth, and may be said with equal truth and confidence, the God-man will not rest, until he have finished the thing, in this day of salvation. And what a relief would such a thought bring in every dark and trying hour, if cherished with full faith and affection under the influence of the Holy Ghost in the heart, that the soul is not more desirous to win Christ, than Christ to reveal himself to that soul, and to form himself there the hope of glory.