The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-02-05
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNDASOlOOL
LESSON
by E. o. SELLERS, Acting Director of
Sunday School Course Moody Bible In
stitute, Chicago)
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 7
RUTH CHOOSES THE TRUE GOD.

my people. and thy God my God.-Ruth
l6.
The book of Ruth is a great love
story, full of deep spiritual sugges-
tiveness. Amid the tales of war, de-
ceit, success and failure, this story
most beautifully illustrates another
side of the life of the Israelites. The
author of the book is supposed to
have been the same as the writer Of
Judges, perhaps Samuel.
!. "There Was a Famine in the
Land" This famine drove Elimelech,
his wife Naomi and their two sons,
Mahlon and Chilion, into the land of
Moab, even as Abram before them
went down" into Egypt. The immi-
grant sons married in that land, one
Of them becoming the husband OF
Ruth. Through this Israelitish al
lance Ruth learned of the true God
and the record of this book reveals
God to all who turn to him in SINGER
lty and truth. This suggests the es-
sential missionary character of the
Old Testament. After the death Of
her husband and sons Naomi, hear
ing of returning prosperity in the
homeland (1:16), elected to return to
her own people.
n. "Entreat Me Not to Leave
Thee" This story puts to silence all
of the motherin-law jokes. When
Naomi thought they had gone far
enough she sought to dismiss the
younger women and expressed to
them the tender affection which ex-
listed between them. A woman in an
eastern land can find rest only in the
house of her husband and these young
widows stood but poor chance of Sc
curing husbands among those who
hated their race. Moreover we must
remember that they we're penniless.
There seemed to be nothing for them
to gain If they proceeded any farther
". 12). Orpah reluctantly and tear
fully turned back but Ruth clave to
Naomi ". 14). This illustrates our
experience when we have to decide
whether to leave friends. home and
everything that we may follow Christ
or, on the other hand, have to choose
the things which are good and refuse
to follow the best. Matt. 1927; Luke
1888.
III. "Whlther Thou Goest ! Will
Co." Naomi gave Ruth another op.
portunity to go back to her people
and this time bases her appeal upon
the love of Ruth for Orpah ". 15).
The word Ruth means Friendship"
and one of the strongest motives for
a loving nature to forsake the Lord
Is the love for those that are of the
world. Many young men and young
women have had such loves but they
usually result in making shipwreck
of faith. Read II Cor. 5:14, Is; Rom.
1927. This test caused Ruth to count
fully the cost duke 14:25-33). No
more beautiful nor immortal words
can be found in all literature than
Ruth's reply wv. 16, ~. Ruth's words
are still sung as best expressing our
song of life devotion. They have fur.
nished inspiration for countless lives,
sermons and stories, and for some of
the earth's greatest musicians as well.
They most wonderfully illustrate our
attitude towards him whom not hav.
ing seen ye love" Il Peter 1:8).
w. The Sequel. At Bethlehem
Ruth had no other thought than to
cling to her mother-in-law, even in
poverty and a life Of lowly service.
She did her mental duties faithfully,
and displayed more of the real hero
ism of faith than that shown in the
daring exploits recorded in the other
history (Judges) of her day. The
truest hero is not the reckless partici.
pant in Europe's battlefields. nor is he
found in the mad struggle for CONNER.
cial supremacy, but more often in the
self-sacrificing acts of tender women
and in the common round of life's
duties. Ruth in a humble hut with
Naomi was better off and better salts.
fed than to have lived in the finest
palace in Moab (Phil 1929. Through
all of this love and devotion Ruth
was being fitted for larger sphere OF
influence in which she was enabled to
give to Naomi the happiest life posi-
BILE to her. Not once is Ruth's beauty
suggested but she had the more at
tractive attributes of goodness, kind |
ness and courtesy She may have had |
personal beauty but her character Far
outshone the physical.
This lesson is a suggestive one for
Decision day in our Sunday schools.
Give all an opportunity to choose and
to follow even as Ruth did. For the
little folks tell the story simply "as
to little child"
Emphasize the beauty and value OF
lovingly serving our elders.
Naomi is no less a heroine. Her
name means pleasant. winsome."
True, she suggested a new name
Mara. bitterness" but her sorrow
was not for herself but for others
1t grieveth me much for your sakes"
I1:13). Naomi made the religion and