The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-11-26
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR oeceMBER J.

Subject: Ruth and Naomi. Ruth T., l6-33-
0oldsn Text, Rom. xii., 1o-1GemoS,
versss, 10. 15-commsnsssy On shl
Day's Lesson.
l6. "And Ruth said" After Orpah had
returned Naomi again put the test upon
Ruth. Naomi would have her know and
realize fully the importance Of her decision
and urge upon her to decide il for God
This also would help her to contrast the
difference between O heather woman and
an Isrselite. The question would then be
settled upon the side Of religion. It wal
homeland with its comforts and familiari
ties and idols, or 1t was q strange land
among strangers, in the service Of lsraePi
God. Il was q separation from all her for
mer life to 60 with Naomi. "Intreat me
not to leave thee" Here came the answer
from the heart. At this great crisis in hei
life Ruth kept close company with, one
who served the God whom she now chose
ship Of Naomi. She desired that she would
NOT refer TO her idols, relatives and home
while she was in such trying position.
At once she decided on her associates, and
broke away from every opposing influence.
"Whither thou goest win Co." Thus Ruth
ends the debate. Nothing could be more
decisive or brave than this; she seems 10
have had another spirit and another speech
now her sister was. gone, and it IL an in.
stance Of the grace Of God inclining the
soul to the resolute choice of the better
part. Though to q country unknown to
her and one Of which she had been trained
to have low opinion ion, abe you'd travel
! will lodge" By her firm resolution. she
decIareo her R%iposc - ue ons VIII Nsy ~
Fiction, and returning to her own country
to share in her lot. "Thy people shall be
my people" Thus she would renounce al
her connections and prospects in the land
Of Moab, and live according to oil the rules
Of Naomi's people in Canaan. "And thy
God my God" I win adore the God Of
Israel, the only living and true God, trust
in Him alone. serve Hiu, and in every.
thing be ruled by Him.
II. "Wil I die" Ruth made this her
lifetime choice. There will I be buried" "
Not desiring TO have 90 much as her dead
body carried back to the country Of Moab,
in token Of any remaining kindness for it.
She would, by this choice, desire to forget
an relationship with her own people or
their religion. She was ready to make the
change with all it meant. "The Lord do
so." etc; To prove her sincerity in this
matter Ruth called God to witness, and
did not keep true to this solemn VOW. Her
words were an ancient form of an oath.
By thus calling God to witness she would
fx lasting Obligation upon herself never
to leave this way. It came to pass, even as
they desire. for when Naomi became old
[ she lived with Ruth and Boaz and was the
nurse of their son Obed. Chap. 4: Is. 10.
Is. Then she left speaking" There
could be no room to doubt her sincerity
and true motive. Her vow was convincing
Since Ruth's purposes reached beyond q
mere impulse and family affection, Naomi
was safe in allowing her to face all the con.
sequence with her.
10. "They two went" When they were
both of the same mind they could walk low.
ingly together. When they were pledged
to be true to God they then could find
abundance Of love for each other and fel.
lowship % dear. The journey could be
made with joy, even though they kesniy
widowhood. THE city was moved" II
itppSb Known but T SishIy ' respected T also al Beth.
iehem: a proof that Eiimelech was Of high
consideration in that place. Il this Mao.
mi" Her friends had remembered her as
they last saw her. What their sorrow was
at having to 20 into heathen country we
do not read. but they eagerly met her. The
change which affection had wrought sur.
prised Naomi's friends. They probably
were surprised at her poverty, since she
had left Canaan to escape the famine.
20. Call me Mara" Her former name
was fitting in her former life, as Naomi
means beautiful, pleasant, sweetness. Now
that affection had changed her lot Mara,
meaning bitterness, was q more suitable
name. They had known her young. happy
and free from care. BY this request in the
change of her name Naomi showed her sub
mission to her lonely lot, and also her pa:
tient spirit toward those who commented
upon her affairs. "The Almighty hath
God, His mighty hand in the affection. II
was duty and her interest to submit ia
Him. She bad not chosen the affiietion
She felt the bitterness Of her lonely life
and circumstances, vet her heart yearued
q. event out full" Having husband
and two sons. Her cup Of joy was full;
her life and enabled her to return. but BE
had taken all her family. Testified
against me-" Since God had wrought the
change in her life, according to His wis.
dom, she would not hold to the name that
spoke contrary to His dealings. With her
affiiction there was humility. Gods rod
Of affection was as His voice. She humbly
considered her affection rs coming from
the Lords hand upon her and her family
for sin. Perhaps she considered herself a.
guilty in not having left Moab Immediately
on the death Of her husband. Yet we con.
elude that Naomi was receiving the peace.
able fruits of Righteousness, from her af.
Fiction. Since she held her integrity, and
sought humble place among Gods peo-
pie, Offering her humble confession to them.
u. Barley harvest" Usually in the
middle OF April. The fact of its being bar.
ley harvest suggested to Ruth that she
might 90 forth to CLEAN. This right Of
cleaning was one OF the legal provisions for
the poor Of Israel, and as the land holders
were not sui bject to money taxes for the
support of the poor, this claim was liber.
ally construed by them. The part Of the
field to which Ruth was providentially di.
rected belonged to Boaz, near knsman OF
Naomi's late husband.
The remainder of the book of Ruth tells
Of her reward for the choice she had made.
I. She found o means of supporting her
mother.in.law. 2. She won the respect
and favor of the people among whom she
lived. 3. She gained most excellent hus-
band and home. 4. Ruth had the honor
of including among her descendants the
great kings David and Solomon, and, above
all, Jesus the Christ. Still we are to be
careful not to confound outward rewards
with the real reward of virtue.