Evening star., 1915-02-06

amidst the QdE n
days of the Judges, with their battles
for existence as a people, there was a
mighty undercurrent of religious NE
that was molding the nation. The same
thing is going on today in the iands
that are feeling the sufferings. sacri-
fees and struggles of the worid
greatest conflict the keenest, for there,
through the ministry of His word, the
Holy Spirit and the Church COD IS
silently changing the character OF the
people into His likeness.
There are several different points OF
view from which we could study this
masterpiece of literature that would
open up to us some sublime phase Of
divine truth. Not the least of which
is the prophetic and typical signih-
canoe especially in connection with
the ultimate calling of the Genthes
into the inheritance of the grace Of
God with Israel. and the relation Of
the Gentle church of the present age
to Christ. as his redeemed and beloved
Iride.'' for it introduces us to the fam
ily from which David was descended
and tells us how Israefs greatest king
came to have Moabitish ancestors, as
Il result of the emigration OF Elime-
Iech.
Emigration.
The movement of the masses away
from their old home is largely the re-
suit of unfavorable econorafc condi-
tions at home. The man who is dis
satisfied and discouraged with his out
look is the one who usually hears the
call to move. A serious calamity had
brought famine to Bethlehem. The
early and the latter rains had failed.
SO that there was want even in the
House of Bread" for Bethlehems 10
cation is the finest in Palestine. in the
midst of a district Of great fertility,
with water nearby. The blighted bar
ley, the withered grass and the parch-
while the hot blasts of wind that came
spoiled the fruits of the vine and trees.
The pinched faces of the multitude
showed the effect of the famine upon
the people of Bethlehem.
Forty miles distant, beyond the steam
ing valley of the Jordan and Dead sea.
back of the mountains OF Moab, that
could easily be seen from the famine
of Moab with plenty that appealed ir-
resistibly to the wealthy Elimelech,
who looked with a heavy heart with
Naomi; The Loyea6le;" upon their & two
The Pining One" wasting away be-
cause of the lack Of food. Fearing to
stay longer. or unwilling to stand with
the local famine. Eiibeiech determined
to make the journey of sixty miles
with his family over the Jordan into
the land rejected by jehovah He
famine only to run into a spiritual dan
ger in the idolatrous land. The accu-
rulated calamities that followed with
the loss of his own life. the marriage
young women and the death of both
sons within two years showed plainly
70 Naomi that their emigration did not
have the divine approval. SO she deter
IL. t4 AAr
native land, where she could worship
God.
Widow Returning.
She started back accompanied by her
two daughters-in-law. who had been
won by her lovable spirit so they de-
cided to go with her to the old home
IT Bethlehem. Somewhere on the road
that she had passed over before Naomi
stopped to plead with the two women
to return to their fathers home. plac-
ng before them the lessons that she had
learned in the bitter experience in
Noab-of how when they passed over
Jordan they would be closing all doors
of hope behind them. for in her help
less poverty Naomi could not help
them, and their future would be dark
pne after they bade farewell to the old
home and their gods.
Both moved on with the aged mother
n-law. whose pride for their love and
loyalty and her prayers for their fu-
ture happiness in a new home. after
their grief and sorrow for the loss OF
their Hebrew husbands had passed
away, caused them to love her more
than ever. Orpah finally yielded TO the
reasoning of the aged mother-in-law.
for she saw clearly that there was no
hope for her securing a new home and
husband. which was then the ambition
IF all true women among the Israelites in
Bethlehem Worldly prudence COM
pelled her to return home. With kiss
Of affection she turned back and disap-
peared from view and history. The
one who turns back after starting to
serve Christ shows that he Is not fit
for the kingdom. Ruth's decision. how
ever. showed the genuineness of her