The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-04-15
LESSON FOR APRIL rs
RuTH's WISE CHOICE.

LESSON TEXT-Ruth l.
GOLDEN TENT-Thy people shall be
my people and thy God my God Ruth
lis
ADDITIONAL MATERIAI.-Ruth ala.
PRIMARY ToPIC-The story Of Ruth
JUNIOR TOPIt-Ruth and Naomi
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
--Iife's Decisions
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Power Of Personal Influence
I. The Occasion Of Ruth's Choice.
u:1-i5).
lehcm-Judea. Naomi with her husband
and two sons soiourned In the land
Of Moab. After the death Of her hus-
band. her two sons married MOabltish
women. After time her sons died
also. Upon the death OF her sons she
resolved to return TO her homeland.
having heard that the Lord had visit
ed his people In giving them bread.
Her family went to Moab 10 escape
trouble. hut they only got into more
trouble. II was not TIL Naomi was
thus chastised that she resolved 10 re-
turn. She had the good sense 10
recognize that the hand ~ the Lord
was upon her for good Ruth and Or
pah accompanied her. This she per
mitted. hut determined 10 place before
them frankly the difficulties which
would necessarily confront them. II
was this frank presentation Of the
difficulties aud her repeated urging
them 10 go back that furnished the
occasion for Ruth's wise choice.
~. The Trials Of Ruth's Choice wv.
1919.
Much ms Naomi loved her daughters
in.law. she would not have them go
into this mntter bllndly. She wished
them 20 know the cost Of their under
taking. She told them the worst that
could come upon them. then II hard
ships came they could only blame
themselves
Note the difficulties which confront
ell Ruth:
I. No chance TO get married again.
Naomi told her that she had no more
sons for which she could wait In that
day to be unmarried was the greatest
disgrace Furthermore. Il was against
Gods law for the Jews TO marry out
side Of their own people.
.. She must renounce her gods. Her
idOlatrous worship conld not be carried
on I'm the land where Gods people
dwelt. This was dellcntely touched
upon when Orpah went back ". l5).
Orpah went back when II was plain
that there was no chance 10 get n hus-
band. Now Naomi puts an additional
test upon Ruth. that Of giving up her
religion. kaomi's very frankness in
dealing with her caused Ruth TO be-
more and more determined 10 cast her
lot with her. No doubt she learned TO
love the true God through the life Of
this true woman. She was deter
mined 10 share Naomis journey, her
home. her lodging. her lot In life and
her grave in death whatever that
would be. To crown it'all she would
renounce her heather gods and EN-
brace Jehovah. when Naomi saw that
Ruth's mind was fully made up she
quit urging her.
~. The Glorious Issue OF Ruth's
Choice.
Ruth was never sorry for her choice
for:
I. She found the true God ". l6).
2 she found human friends Och. -.
As she went 10 CLEAN In the fields she
al -
OF wealth and grace. The servants OF
Boaz treated her with consideration
even Boaz gave instruction for special
consideration 10 be given her.
2. A good husband and happy home
(chaps. 3 and ~. she not only Sc
cured a husband. but man of God,
who had abundance Of this worlds
goods.
4. An honored place In the Israel
itish nation (4:l3-l7). Though she had
20 forsake her own people. she became
one OF nobler people.
.. She became a link I'm the chain
OF Christs ancestry (4:lS-22; e.. Matt
1:5). The one who fully decides for
Christ and gives up all for him shall
get hundredfold In this life and In
the world 10 come. eternal life.
This story Is n fine exhibition Of dis
sensational truth:
U) The famine I'm the lauo indicates
the testing Of the Jews; GU the going
into Moab. the sojourn OF the Israel |
ties among the nations; CD sickness
and death In Moab. the chastlsement Of
the Jews In this present age; ca the |
return TO the land. the gathering Of |
Israel To their own land; 60 Ruth toll
lowing the gathering Of the Gentlles
through the influence OF the Jews
(6) the marriage between Boaz and |
Ruth. the union of the church with |
Christ.
Faith In God.
II your faith In God is stronger for