The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-12-13

Jhe nearG, as Delng largely domestic. It's ten
derness wins sympathy. 1t treats of matters
which are ever fresh and interesting and hence
it keeps its continuous hold on the world. The
central figure of the story ia Ruth, and hence
it is not called the book of Naomi, or Of Orpah,
or even of Boaz. Many treatises, cxpository
addresses and commentaries have been written
on the book Otto Goldschmidt composed an
Oratorio based on Ruth. Governs Ruth is
the favOrite musical expression of the pathetic
story. The book is shOrt-four chapters, So
verses-and how fascinating! 1t is worthy the
pen of Shakspere. 1t has in it that touch Of
nature which makes it akin to all human
hearts.
2. Tine.
We get hint as to time in verse Of Ruth,
chapter lin the days when the Judges
ruled" But we are left in much uncertainty
from the fact there were many Judges, and
their rule covered long series of years. Keil,
Sch. Schmidt. G. Smith Tin History of the He
brew People, put it during the Midianitish in
vasiOns. Judges, g. ]. r. Kendrck D. D.,
says probably" and dates 1222-11S2 B. G.
Josephuss (Ant. 8, 9, u says it was after Sam
sons death, when Eli was the High Priest aud
Governor over Israel. Some say it was under
Shamgar archbishop Usher1; others, under
Gideon Jameson is non committal Adam
Clarke says 1928 A. NJ, or 1176 B. G. We really
know only that the events of Ruth occurred
some time during the reigns of the Judges,
which covered more than 300 years.
3. Circumstances
man lived in Bethlehem whose wife was
Naomi and whose sons were Mahlon and Chilion.
For a reason they all left Bethlehem. Verse 1
states there was famine in Canaan. They
therefore moved to some town in the land of
Moab, which was east of the Dead Sea. Ten
years passed away. Meanwhile Elimelech, the
father, died Mahlon married Ruth; Chiffon
married Orpah both Mahlon and Chiffon died.
There were therefore three widows. Naomi
heard that the famine at Bethlehem had ceased,
and she became very anxious to return. She
determined to go back. Her two daughters-in-
law set out with her. They went on foot. The
three after time came to a halt. Naomi be-
thinks herself that Ruth and Orpah are Moab
itesses aud are forsaking their country and
home and relatives. She fears they may some
time regret the step. She wants, at any
rate, to remove the responsibility from
herself She wishes the two to fully realize
what they are doing. The strongest ties they
could have in Moab were their mothers. Ma
omi touches very tender place. Moreover,
| they were yet young and both might expect
marriage in Moab, where they were acquainted.
Thus two strong domestic arguments were used
by Naomi to open the eyes of Ruth and Orpah
| to the fullest comprehension Of the significance
of their act in going to Canaan. We think
| Naomi was really sincere. Though she tested
"
| est in her purpose. The two were put to a
severe ordeal both as to their affection for their
mother-in-law and their worship Of Jehovah.
| They are yet probably in sight of the buildings
| and associations of all their lives At length
| Orpah kisses Naomi, says "GoOd-by," and
| starts back to her native town. Not so Ruth.
| She cannot part with her mother-in- law. Ma
omi presses the matter and really tries to iuhu-
| ence Ruth to follow the example of Orpah,
| stating things without any attempt to hold out
| one false view to Ruth. The Chaldee para
| phrase has preserved the colloquy between Ma
/ omi and Ruth thus Ruth said. Entreat me
not to leave thee, for l will be a proselyte"
! Naomi said, " We are commanded 20 keep Sab
| baths and good days, on which we may not
travel above 1000 cubts. "a Sabbath days
| journey.) well, )" saith Ruth, whittier thou
| goest, l will 60" Naomi said, We are COM
nanded not TO tarry all night with Gentiles."
| We'll" 18th Ruth, where thou lodgest l will
| lodge" Naomi said, We are commanded to
| keep 600 precepts" Well" said Rutll, " what
| ever thy people keep, viii keep, for they shall
| be my people" Naomi said, We are forbid
den to worship any strange god" we'll"
| said Ruth, thy God shall be my God" Naomi
| said, we have four sorts of death for malefac-
| Questioning, burning, strangiing and Staying
| with the sword" Well, saith Ruth, where
thou diest, will die" We have" saith Ma
omi, houses of sepultuTe." 'And there"
saith Ruth, will 1 be buried"
L. Ruth.
She was maid of Moab and hence q heather
| girl. The marriage to her Of Mahlon seems TO
have been violation of the law of Deu., Z 3.
We remember, however the peculiar circum-
| stances, aud if it were an evil act we see how
| God can bring good out of evil. The Chaldee
| Targum sUpposes she was q daughter of EglCn
| the King of the M0abites. We do not know
how long her husband lived, nor how long she
had been widow. 1t was no wonder that Ma
Omi in her sad and lonely condition should
want to return to Bethlehem. 1t is not prob
able Elimelech and she intended to make
| Moab their home. But Ruth could not consent
| to let her mother in-law go off alone. She
resolved to accompany her, aud would listen to
no persuaSOns to stay in Moab while Naomi
went to Canaan. She thus gave up her land,
(2:1I); her father and mother as; 2 Ill /;
her relatives; her gods 4 10, IL; her sister
in-law q: l5), aud probably Moabitish hus-
band 40. In the persistence of Ruth there
| results an interesting religious sequel. Ruth
| the Moabitess, the heather, becomes an anGes-
| tress of David, and ultimately OF Christ him
self The marriage Of BOaz to Ruth was an in
timation of the mingling of the Jewish and the
Gentle in the participation of salvation.
Tracing down the geneaogy of our Savior
we find he was indebted to . Gentle fer a
part of his pedigree. This pointed to the fact
Jesus was to be Redeemer OF the Gentle as
we'll as the Jew. The prospect for Ruth seemed
dark, but Providence turned it all to good.
She will be forever famous. One has said
"Her name is inscribed on a monument that
has outlasted thrones and empires, and which
will endure to the end of time-upon the first
page of the New Testament"
5. Bethlehem.
Bethlehem is six miles south of Jerusalem. It
is in the tribe of Judah. On account of its
fruitfulness it was called Ephratah. ltwas the
birthplace of David, JOab, Abishai and Asahel
1t is specially notable as the place in which
our Saviour was born. The modern name is
Belt Lahm. 1t was the former home of Mao
mi. There she was married to Elimelech
there were born Mahlon and ChiliOn. Only
for famine the family would probably never
have left the city. But in that case we would
have lost one Of the most precious books in
Gods Word.
6. The Arrical.
At length Naomi and Ruth reached Bethle-
hem. Ten years had made great changes
Naomi had seen much sorrow. She had buried
her husband in q foreign land. She had laid by
his side her two sons. She had returned widow
and childess. Doubtless she had become much
changed physically. So her old neighbors ask
is this Naomi2" Her very name, which
means the lovabe, the full of grace, seemed to
her misplaced and grating. She wanted to be
called Mara {bitter), as more fitting her
| Gha