The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-12-03
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
Lesson x.-Four.h Quarter, For
Dec. 8, 1907.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

Text or the Lesson, ruin J, l4-E2-Mem-
DRY Verses, 16, 17--GoIden Text, Ruth
l. 1S--commentary Prepared by Rev.
o. M. Stearns.
copyright, 1907, by American Press Association
A beautiful story of the days of the
judges, when there was so much re-
bellion against God aud when for q
time every man did right in his own
eyes" Uudg. xvii, 6; xxi, 90. Through
all God had His Othniel and Gideon
and Barak and Jsphtha and others and
was quietly and surely working out
His eternal purpose. The last word In
this book. David, tells us one reason
why the book was written. The first
and last titles Of Christ in the New
Testament associate Him with David
Matt |, ]; Rev. xxi, 16), the name
used more than any other In the
Scriptures and whose throne is yet to
give worldwide blessing. The clos
ing verses Of the book inform us as to
his ancestry for several generations
and that Ruth Of our story was his
great-grandmOther and that her hus-
band BOas was the son of Rahab Of
Jericho. both of these women having
honorable mention in Matt. |. In which
chapter David is the only man called
king, although the names of many
kings are given. The story Of this
book Is foreshadowing of the time
when the weary cleaners shall pos
sess the field in that morning when
God shall help Israel and the meek
shall inherit the earth Ups. XVI. &, mar
gin; xxxvii. IL; Matt V, 81. Our kins-
maa Redeemer. the true mighty man
OF wealth, shall redeem the Inheritance
and deliver the whole creation from
the bondage OF corruption into the
glorious liberty or the children Of God
(Rom. viiI. 2l-23). "The kingdom shall
be the Lords" tObad. 21.
Some one has outlined the book as
follows: Chapter I. Ruth deciding:
chapter Il. Ruth cleaning. chapter lii.
Ruth resting: chapter ". Ruth reward
ell. The lesson assigned US is In the
first portion. but we must look Ilttbe
| nc the context.
/ II looks as II Elimelech anu Saes1i
made u misstep In going to Noah. Sut
God ogerruled it ms lie does oil things
to work out His purpose. surely
the wrath OF man shall praise Thee;
the remainder OF wrath shalt Thou re-
strain"'Cps. lxxvL l0I. The loss of her
husband and two sons In the sand OF
Moab looks 70 Naomi lie n chasten
ting. for she says. II went OUT full. and
the Lord hath brought me home again
empty" Verse 2ll. The gelng out wa:
hers: the bringing home was the
Lords. She said. The hand OF tia
Lord Is gone out against me: . the
Lord hath testified against me: the Al
mighty hath dealt very bitterly witt
me, and the Almighty hath Athletes
me- verses -. ~, 2l. Yet doubtless
she would afsrward add. Before
was afflicted I went astray. but nov
have / kept Thy word" Dps. cxix. Ga
The fullnesS of blessing which came 4
her through Ruth conid not have beeI
known unless she had been emptietl
Broken aud eInrtHd vessels are ID
kind the Lord uses. The name ~
mighty" is suggestive Of this. nap
first used la tITa xvii. /. and mar
times In the book 'f Job than In 81
ID. ret Of the I:lIle Job. although I
sc:v"ut 10 t;Od. Thought great dea
Of himself tioh -%iXl. hut after he IN,
Ills eyes Ogpael - see and abhOr hin
self be- was i.ssspd as never bgf"r
tcha?tcF xi!i.
That Naomi sErTGld urge her sEns
wives 10 rpi1rI =" tacir ido'airsu
homes und l~.n1l~ srrm~ strange wn"i
| sire knew ID" t;o1 az Israel to lar Il,
cry trth' Cod tsGt ,iJc WIS nni spey4 u
l.. }u*Cul Ia Tie i.ord about that tim
ard MES so I5.r.ly hr:~cir thar Uh
rec ..,ai 10 thiuA saYly or 'hc irvHpTa
welfare Of he- .l..usa css-il,lnw. ".
- ~: SAY hu' that >ND yl Md at al
Cust have snus;:' "a win TIE M"alitF
to 3D.. tie t;~3. ,,Ut christians vii
ileve' Hig ltU;, e cut ~ thu world -
= ttrs t"Hu in Z; md |viag esa
. forme1 to g. Thluf how the ISo1ie .
s doga .l"sIi 81 l.Si wh2u he r. 'ad-'
: With 'B'at. Thcy tpew him 'on we'll.
Saonis Testimony. Oh the whole
must hTyp lprn for Cod rather tina
against elm. else Ruth woGld nevc
hive actcd az spukrn - she did Ma,
her Immortal words .e ours as VI
turz 10 Him who loved ns and gav
Tin SELF for Us tverCs 1G. ~. an
may VIC indeed I've rs drrUed TO Hin
. M sfe was TO Naomi. There Is an
other gentle who always comes be
fore a.e when 0 think 81 Ruth: meaI
Ifiai. Tie Gitftie. who said 10 David
AS TIM lord liveth and - my lor'
ff~ king IIveth. surely In what piae
riy lord the king shall he. whether Il
! Geaih or life, even there also will Oh
servaut ~" II Sam. Nv. 81. Thes
! gcntiles make Us fjIlnk Of tive other
In the gospel story. likewise q man an
n woman whe gres1Iy refreshed on
Lord sy their great faith.
! The words "stcadfastly minded
verse N, make US think Of Acts VII
1 Il: nj, =: Cor. Nv. 81. and work d
IA n great desire 10 Gee Jesus only
and run with patience iooking unit
I Him.
ESQ they two went (verse i9l point
\ 3