The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-02-04
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNDMSGlOOL.
LESSON
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 7
RUTH CHOOSES rHs rRvs GOO.
my " O. SELLERS. Acting Director Of
Sunday School Course Moody Blsi. In
stitute, Chicagob

ceit success and failure. this story
most beautifully illustrates another
side Of the life Of the Israelites The
author OF the book N supposed TO
have been the same az the writer OF
Judges. perhaps Samuel
:. There Was Famine In the
LAND" This famine drove Eiimelech.
his wife Naomi and their two sons.
Mahlon and Chilion. into the land OF
Moab. even as Abrsm before them
went down" into Egypt The immi'
grant sons married In that land. one
OF them becoming the husband OF
Ruth Through this lsraeiitish al
lance Ruth learned OF the true God
and the record Of this book reveals
God TO all who turn 10 him In SINGER
ity and truth. This suggests the .
sentiai missionary character OF the
Old Testament After the death OF
her husband and sons Naomi. hear
ing OF returning prosperity In the
homeland u:i6D. elected 70 return to
her own people.
~. "Entret Ne Not 60 leave
Thee" This story puts 10 silence all
OF the motherinlaw jokes When
Naomi thought they had gone far
enough she sought 20 tismiss the
younger women and expressed to
them the tender affection which en-
listed between them. A woman On an
eastern land can fnd 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 were penniless.
There seemed 10 be nothing for them
to gain u they proceeded any farther
". l2). 0rpah reluctantly and tear
fully turned back but Ruth ciave 90
Naomi " fp This illustrates our
experience when we have 20 decide
whether to leave friends. homo and
everything that we may follow Christ
or. on the other hand. have TO choose
the things which are good and refuse
10 follow the best. Matt. 1887; Luke
1890
~. "whlther Thou ooest VIII
Co." Naomi gave Ruth another OBJ
portunity TO 90 back TO her people
and this time bases her appeal upon
the love OF Ruth for Orpah ". 49,
The word Ruth means friendship"
and one OF the strongest motives for
a loving nature 20 forsake the Lord
Ia 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. 10; Rom.
1887 This test caused Ruth 10 count
fully the cost luke it:2633). No
more beautiful nor immortal words
can be found In all literature than
Ruth's reply (vv. 10. III 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
he earth's greatest musicians as well.
They most wonderfully Illustrate our
attitude towards him whom not hav-
ng seen ye love" q Peter 1881
~. The Sequel. Al Bethiehem
Ruth had no other thought than to
cling to her motherin-law. even In
poverty and q life OF lowiy service.
She did her mental duties faithfully.
md displayed more OF the real hero
SIN OF faith than that shown In the
iaring exploits recorded IN the other
history (Judges) OF her day. The
ruest hero Ia not the reckless partici-
pant In Europe's battienelds. nor Is he
ound In the mad struggle for CONNER
,iai supremacy. but more often In the 1.
acts OF tender women |
md In the common round OF life's
iuties Ruth In a humble hut with
Naomi was better on and better salts
led than to have lived In the finest
,alace in Moab (Phil. 1;23,. Through
IN OF this love and devotion Ruth
vas being fitted for larger sphere OF
influence in which she was enabled 10
dive to Naomi the happiest life posi-.
lie TO her Not once is Ruth's beauty
suggested but she had the more at
ractive attributes OF goodness. kind
Tess and courtesy She may have had
personal beauty but her character far
'utshone the physical
This lesson Is a suggestive one for
Decision day In our Sunday schools.
live all an opportunity TO choose and
o follow even as Ruth did. For the
title folks tell the story simply as
o a little child"
Emphasize the beauty and value OF
ovingly serving our elders
Naomi Ia no less q heroine. Her
lame means pleasant winsoms.
rrue. she suggested q new name
Nara. bitterness" but her sorrow
was not for herself but tsE others.-
n grieveth me much for your sakes"
Il:iS. Naomi made the religion and
Worship Of Jehovah 90 attractive a.
o win a most notable convert IL 10
,ur privileges 10 maize religion attrac-
i've This sin cannot be bought nor
but BY the power OF the
holy spirit and through the Fellowship