Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/250

 and  a capital  sin,  and  brings  shame  and  disgrace  in  its  train. Ruth was also  retiring,  modest  and  pure; the  whole  town  testified  to  her  being a virtuous woman. God rewarded  her  virtue  by  giving  her  a good  and wealthy husband,  and  by  making  her  the  great-grandmother  of  king David and  (because  Christ  was  of  the  family  of  David)  one  of  the ancestors of  the  Divine  Redeemer.

Booz loved  his  neighbour,  and  had  compassion  on  the  poor. He behaved very  nobly  in  taking  Ruth  as  his  wife  in  spite  of  her  poverty: he very  rightly  valued  Ruth’s  virtues  more  highly  than  gold  and  riches. God rewarded  him,  for  He  gave  him  a most  virtuous  wife,  and  blessed his marriage,  so  that  he  became  one  of  the  forefathers  of  the  Messias.

Ruth is  a type  of  the  Church  of  the  Gentiles.  Though  born  a heathen she obtained  by  her  conversion  a share  in  the  blessings  of  Israel,  and was even  chosen  to  be  an  ancestress  of  the  Redeemer. By this  God signified that  the  heathen,  if  they  would  believe  and  be  converted,  should have a share  in  the  salvation  which  was  to  spring  from  Israel.

Ruth brought  joy  and  honour  to  her  mother-in-law. Do you  cause  joy  to  your  parents? Have you  never brought shame  on  them  or  caused  them  grief?

Be kind  and  generous  to  the  poor. Do not  look  down  on  poor children. Do you  not  give  preference  among  your  friends  to  the children of  rich  parents? A man’s worth  does  not  consist  in what  he  has,  but  in  what  he  is. Virtues such  as  faith,  charity, diligence, modesty,  truth  and  humility  are  the  greatest  of  riches: everything perishes  except  virtue. God looks  to  the  heart,  not  to the  outward  appearance  or  wealth. He who  is  without  faith  is the  poorest  of  men,  never  mind  how  much  money  he  may  possess. Are these  your  sentiments? Do you  like  associating  with  good children ?

Are you  diligent  from  morning  till  night,  as  Ruth  was?

N the  days  when  Heli,  the  High  Priest,  was  Judge  in  Israel, there lived  at  Mount  Ephraim  a virtuous  man,  called  Elcana, and the  name  of  his  wife  was  Anna. Now Anna  had  no  children. She therefore  multiplied  her  prayers  before  the  Lord  that  He