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appear that Ruth, bese friendless ones, had the city of Bethlehem w cars of corn, to support mother. And hearing benevolent character e neighbourhood, she s neids for that pur

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This was kindness that she had no reason to expect from him. Why should he thus look upon a poor soli

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tary stranger? Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?" The answer of Boaz shows that he was well acquainted with her history, and with her exemplary conduct to Naomi, and the great sacrifice she had made in leaving her own country. And it shows too that he felt a pleasure in assisting her for the Lord's sake. "And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been showed me all that thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law, since the death of thy husband; and how thou hast

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old scripture custom, appointed by God out of compassion to the poor and friendless.

Now, it would appear that Ruth, being one of these friendless ones, had come forth from the city of Bethlehem to gather a few ears of corn, to support herself and her mother. And hearing what a kind and benevolent character Boaz bore in the neighbourhood, she had strayed into his fields for that purpose.

And observe, how kindly he speaks to her; "Go not," he says, "to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens. Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them. Have I not charged the young men that they should not touch thee?"

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This was kindness that she had no reason to expect from him. Why should he thus look upon a poor solitary stranger? "Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?" The answer of Boaz shows that he was well acquainted with her history, and with her exemplary conduct to Naomi, and the great sacrifice she had made in leaving her own country. And it shows too that he felt a pleasure in assisting her for the Lord's sake. "And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been showed me all that thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law, since the death of thy husband; and how thou hast

he speak "to glean com hence · maidens 1 that ther er them. ung men ee?"

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left thy father, and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knowest not heretofore. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."

Boaz knew how to value her character. Her affectionate attachment to Naomi had struck him; and her decided conduct in being willing to leave her home and her friends, that she might spend the remainder of her days with Naomi and her people.

As a kind man, he much valued her conduct towards her poor afflicted mother. And as a religious man, he rejoiced that she was willing to leave her own people, and come over to the people of God. He felt thankful that

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