Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-07

| OF rabbiS and many of the Christian
fathers. assign it to Samuel, or to some
member of the school of the prophets over
which he presided. They hold it as a con-
Meeting link between the books OF Judges
and of First Samuel. Recent critics are
disposed to a later date, giving it to some
unknown writer, whose chief purpose was,
as they think. to trace the pedigree of
David. ruth. iv:1s-22. The book has
been highly and justly priced by all
classes Prof. Steenstra of Cambridge
Divinity School says what most students
will approve. that cit incloses garden
OF roses as fragrant and full of mystic
calyXes as those which modern travellers
find twining and blooming about the soli-
tary ruins of Israel and Moab" Its de-
lineations of character, its description OF
oriental domestic life. its high moral ana
religious tone. render it especially vaiu.
able to students of human nature. of
archaeology, and of religion.
STORY.-The book will be better APP
preciated if read entire at single sit
ting. But the following outline of its
narrative will prepare for the study of
our selected passage. In the time OF the
judges, thu date not precisely known. a
severe famine caused Elimelech, resi-
dent of Bethlehem-Judah. to emigrate to
Moab, country lying east of the Dead
sea. There, after brief residence, he
died, leaving a wife and two sons. The
latter. contrary to Mosaic law (Deut.
Wig, married women of the country, and
in a few years deceased. With more than
ordinary affection the three widows chung
together. At length. learning Of renewed
prosperity in her native land. Naomi, the
mother-in-law. resolved to return thither.
and the daughters-in-law set out with
her. In the way considerations were pre-
sented which led Orpah TO turn back,
while Ruth. resisting >all argument.
pressed forward to make her home IN
Bethlehem. There the two awakened the
sympathy and surprise of the friends
and neighbors of earlier years. While
cleaning in the field Ruth makes the ac-
quaintance of Boaz. kinsman OF her de-
ceased husband. Marriage follows, and
their first born. Obed. becomes the grand
father of David, the king. --,.":- g.. --.t, .,
PARTING.-Our lesson opens at that
point in the narrative where Orpah is
separated from the others. They were
doubtless approaching the border of
Judah. The journey thus far may have
been regarded as a friendly escort. But
as the purpose to proceed becomes evil
dent. Naomi was more anxious for the
daughter than for herself. She was old,
were young: and might hope for better
days. She pleads with them. therefore, to
return to their homes, reminding them
och. 1850 that by remaining In Moab they
might be welded again and find rest in
the home of their husbands. This plea
did not avail. With expressions of at
lection they declared their purpose to re-
main with their afflicted companion. A
second time Naomi sought to dissuade
them from their purpose. showing that in
the land of judah they might not expect
marriage oversees lib. An oriental young
woman, to whom domestic life is the goal
of all ambition, would see in this future
of perpetual sorrow and disappointment
o. NIT kiQGoC turned
her steps homeward, but Ruth adhered to
Naomi. This parting must have been
peculiarly painful to all.
ENTREATY.-Once more Naomi re-
newed her efforts with Ruth, moved by
the genuine desire of a true mother to
meet the natural longings of the young
heart. In a single sentence she presented
a three-fold argument. Thy sister-in-
has gone back" she said. Ordinarily the
example of a young associate would be
more influential than affection for one
who is many years older. ''Gone back to
her people," Naomi continued. This must
have awakened many emotions. Fatner
and mother, brothers and sisters, kindred
and friends, or else their graves-these
were all in the land they were leaving.
The remembrance of those among whom
Ruth had associated In years gone Dy,
with whom she had held sweet converse,
It was expected would prevent her from
further, 'gone back to her gods" to Che
mosh and Baal-Peor Judges, xi:24). Wom-
an responds most OF all to the lnnuence
of religion and clings tenaciously to the
gods of her ancestors. Here, then. were
three powerful motives to turn Ruth from
her attachments sisters example and
companionship, the remembrance OF ma
tive land, the hopes and joys OF religion.
RESOLVE.-Ruth was unmoved. Her
answer was beautiful, prompt. concise,
conclusive, respectful. She begged Naomi
to cease her entreaties. thrice made, the
very thought of separation being painful.
Every consideration, personal, national,
religious, convinced her that he choice
was wise; and every argument only con-
fined her choice. She had resolved to ac-
company her mother-in-law at all haz-
ards; to adopt her home, her people, and
her God. She would evan make her grave
in the same land, separated only by death
tai abandonment of all that she had cher |
ished in early life, its memories and hopes. |
it's pleasures and rewards Duke' xiv:33), |
and the acceptance OF privation, sorrow. |
poverty and whatever might come in the
land where her lot would be cast. To rem I
der her words more emphatic, she called |
God to witness the sincerity of her inten- |
tions, using a form of oatk common among |
orientalists. Il Sam, HID. In all this |
it is evident that Dnth,s heart was e cen
thee and thy, occurs seven times in her
speech, indicating the definiteness of her
thought.
JOURNEY.-There was no need of
further argument. The hearts Of the two
women being knit together, their lives
must henceforth flow into one channel.
Naomi yielded to the steadfast mind Of
her younger companion (Acts. xxi:14).
They proceeded together until they came
into Bethlehem The brevity of Scripture
narrative is wonderful. Large sections
upon which any, purely human author
would dwell with interesting detail are
omitted altogether. Here the inspired 81
lence shuts out from our story what all
might innocently desire to know; what, in
fact a well-guided imagination might
profitably supply. Proceeding around the
southern end of the Dead sea the two
passed on, pursuing thence a general
northwesterly course. through the sparse
~ settled portion, where, centuries after.
John the Bap4iz4 made converts Matt.
fii:D. and where Jesus was tempted (Matt.
ivsD,. to the plains where shepherds
watched their flocks at the advent d1uke,
lib. The conversation may have re-
lated to the dead, left behind, to the scenes
through which they passed. to the expec-
tations and plans in their new home.
GREETING.-The travellers reached
Bethlehem at the beginning of barley
harvest eek. TX 1892. about the LIST of
Aprl. a most delightful season. when