Arizona republican., 1920-04-25

directly the death of I1limelech and his sons. The human interest of the story is painfully deepened by the widow hood Of the three women of the story. There was also the prospect, tragic to an oriental family, Of the extinction Of the house of Elimelech. for the two Sons of this good man died childless. Nearly twelve hundred years before Christ there came to this good family of Bethlehem such trouble as is some times observed in our midst at the pres ent day.
 I I-Ruth Tested. vss. 14. 15.- 14- They lifted up their voice, and wept again
 The grief of the three women at the prospect of parting revealed the strong and tender affection that had bound them together. Home ties were as pure and strong in those far away days as we could wish them to be now. 15. Behold. thy sisterin-law Is gone back
 Orpah is not to be censured for ac- cepting the practical advice of her mother in law. By her decision she gave evidence that she was ruled by her judgment rather than by her emo tions. Return thou after thy sister in-law. We cannot believe that Naomi was ignorant of the deep affection which Ruth had for her. We may as lIiefelOIc, lIlslt IL WAS HCl easy for her to suggest to Ruth to return with her sister-in-1aw. It was only fair. however. that Ruth should be of fered the same opportunity Notwith- standing her loneliness Naomi did not take advantage of the sympathies of her daughter law.
 u-Ruth chooSing.-VSS. Is, IS.
 Is. And Ruth said, entreat me not to leave thee.
 These words constitute the most de- termined the most decisive. the most unheSitating confession of love in all the erature."-Hastings
 IS. When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her.
 Ruins decision rested not merely upon emotion though heE affection was marvelously rich. She had doubtless weighed carefully the whole question whether or not her life would be better with Naomi in Bethlehem than alone in Moab. She left off speaking unto her. Naomi had continued to urge Ruth to follow her sister back to Moab
 1II.-Ruth in Bethlehem. Vss. 1922.
 1s. All the city was moved about them.
 The interest in the return of Naomi was public testimonial to the high esteem in which the family was held. There was alsoSpublic sympathy for Naomi when the story Of Der bereave-
 
 20. Call me-not Naomi
 Naomi means pleasant. She wished that another name might be given her to memorialize the bitter afflictions through which she had passed
 21. went out full.
 She went cut with her husband and two sons, thus highly honored, accord ing to oriental ideas. Seeing Jehovah hath testified against me. This is in l teresting as indicating a current belief of the time that afflictions proved the | dispieasure of Jehovah on account sf some moral or spiritual failure of the | one who was cfastised.
 %. They came to Bethlehem in the | beginning of the barley Harvest.
 Barley harvest was in the. month of April.
 The remainder of this beautiful book 1 narrates how Ruth became Identified | with the people of Israel through her to Boaz, who, according to the Jewish law, married her as . near kinsn1an in order that the property of her husband might not be lost 10 his family. Ruth became the great grand mother of David, and thus ;he blood of a Gentle people was introduced into the line which our Savior came.
 Elimelech's name is significant. It meant "God is my king. He was doubtless a God-fearing man whose life was Loyalty devoted to the service of the true God.
 Elimelech maintained his integrity in Moab, twhere another man might have with his conscience under the influence of the social and religious customs of an alien people,
 His two sons, Mahlon and Chiffon, kept themselves ''unspotted from the world" They were able also to ''sanc- tify" their unbelieving wives q Cor. 7:14). They were therefore, worthy sons of their godly father
 The character of Naomi is indicated