Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-04-22
SABBATH SCHOOL
LESSON
For April 25-Ruth
BY DIR. MARION M'H. HULL
For April 25--Ruth


people, and thy God my Cod
1t is most refreshing to read Ruth after
the conflicts of Joshua and Judges, for 1T
takes away from the battlefields to the
home, and turns our thoughts from hate to
love. All the world always did and always
will love a lover. and Boaz and Ruth are
no exceptions.
The Book of Ruth is an idyl, homely bit
of literature that takes us out-of-dOors and
into the home. 1t is about the friendship
Of two women, about the simple things of
hard times, and marriage and death, and
transfer of property, and harvesting, and
feaSting; the little things of every day peo-
pie and every day life, and yet the things
that make life what it is. And the climax
of the whole story is the birth of a baby,
"Grandfa ther Obed,' as someone has called
him. If you haven't done so already stop
right here and read it through time or
two. 1t won't take many minutes-charm-
ing, isn't it?
The Journeys
Away up in the mountains of Judah, and
just south of jerusalem was the little town
of Bethlehem. 1t had formerly been called
Ephrath; but the men of Judah had changed
its name to Bethlehem-the house of bread.
Here resided family in whose veins ran
royal blood, for they We're descendants OF
Pharez, the oldest surviving son of Judah,
and hence his heir. (Read the story OF Pha-
and his twin brother). The family con-
sisted of Elimeleck and his wife Naomi, and
their two sons, Mahlon and Chiffon. There
had been a famine in the land and they haC
stood it as long as they could; then they
had left their home for temporary resi-
dence in Moab, across the Dead sea; for 1t
was well watered country, and there they
could find pasturage for their .flocks and
Sustenance for themselves.
1t was no doubt sore trial for them to
leave home and friends and all that was
dear to them They realized in some meas
ure the risk they were taking in going
amongst an ain people; but they thought
it the best step to take under the clrcum-
stances, particularly as it was to be only
for time. But they didn't realize that
boys will fall in love with the girls with
whom they are thrown, and they began to
appreciate the risk when Mahlon fell in love
with that beautiful curly-headed, auburn
haired daughter of Moab. Ruth was an
heather girl, but that made no difference
they took it greatly to heart
But going to Moab didn't bring the peace
this couple wanted. Life seemed to be
ting over the discomfort of being aliens
and having their sons marry heather girls,
when Elimeeck fell sick and died; and ere
long Mahlon and Chiffon died also. 1t must
have been some epidemic. Naomis cup was
full. Her trials had aged her greatly. She
was an old wrinkled. widowed woman; desc
late, discouraged, destitute. The pull of
home on her heart grew very strong; she
longed for her old sociations; so when she
heard that there was again in the land
she decided to go back.
The Parting of the Ways
Ruth and Orpah accompanied her to the
fond of their mother-in-law; for while
Naomi and Elimeeck had left their home,
they had not left their religion there: To
see the vile practices of the worshippers
of Chemosh must have disguised them so
that they could not but compare it with
the worship of Jehovah. Ruth and Orpah
had heard of their God. and had seen Him
in their lives. There was something about
them that was different-an indetinable
something that comes only from heart
that knows God. These heather girls saw
the difference and learned to love the wom-
an who possessed them Their hearts beat
with hers, too, now because of their/com-
mon sorrow.
What their intentions were when they
set out is not known. When they came
to the border of the country they were at
the parting of the ways. Naomi urged them
right? Well, let us see. She realized that
they were young and attractive young wild
Ows, penniless, and alone. There was no
place in the economy of that day for a
kinds Of indignities. Naomi loved them too
much for this, and urged them to go back
and marry, finding protection each in the
house of her new husband. 1t was also
considered a disgrace to be childless. Naomi
further realized that in her own country
they would be looked at askance, because
they were not Israelites; and she wanted
to spare them the suffering that she had
endured as stranger in a strange land.
Orpah saw the advantages, pointed out
by Naomi, of going back to her people. So
she kissed Naomi and wept and went back.
We never hear of Orpah again, but cannot
but think she was a different woman al
ways as a result of her life with Naomi.
True she went back to her people and to
Chemosh, but she could not have entered
again in to the practices of such a religion.
Ruth claye to Naomi though. She had
learned TO love very dearly this old wrin-
killed., widowed woman; she saw in her that
light that never shone on land or sea. She
had learned to know Naomfs God, and she
would make any sacrifice rather than lose
n
protest against the ldolatrous worship or
her own people, a confession of her faith
in the God of Elimeleck and Naomi and
Nahlon, and a desire TO follow Him even
at the cost of everything that had been
dear to her formerly. Her plea to Naomi
is classic classic Read it again: There re, ar; are
counted the COSTS and decided it would
cost her more to go back than 10 stay. Her
choice was complete, her decision irrevo-
cable, her surrender absolute. 1t was Ma
omi's God that drew her with an irresist
able attraction. She loved Him more than
all else combined To be with Naomi in
Naomi's land, and among Naomi's people
was to Ruth to be with Naomi's God, and
her choice of Him was final. Naomi saw
this and said no more. Not that Naomi
WAS type Of the devil butt but in passing
we are 'steadfastly minded he will leave
off speaking too 'Resist the devil and he
will flee from YOU"
A Living and a Life
Their entrance into Bethlehem created
quite a stir. Naomi had changed so, the
people of the city scarcely recognized her.
1t is probable they were greatly pleased
at the change; for human nature secretly
rejoices in anothers misfortune, particu-
larry if that one has apparently done the
thing you can condemn. 1t was but an
other sorrow added to the already bitter
cup Naomi was drinking. 1t was no easy
thing for Naomi to endure, and particularly
as the heather girl with her waste them
the badge of her shame, the evidence to
them of how her boy had gone away from
his religion But Naomi and Ruth took up
their residence in their old family home,
now badly in need of repair after the
years of unoccupancy.
1t was harvest time, and as they had moth
ing to sustain them, Ruth went out to make
a living for the two. All she could do was
to pick up the scraps of grain that fell
after the reapers The possibilities were
very small, but it might keep soul and body
together. 1t happened--does anything just
happen that she started in a field belong
ing to BoaZ, rich kinsman of Elimelech' S,
probably his nephew. The cordial relation
ship existing between Boaz and his men, the
business ability, the honor and purity of
life he displayed, and his deep religious life
make Boaz one of the finest characters in
the Bible. He was not without an eye for
the beautiful, either, for he noticed Ruth at
once. 1t is charming how the writer tells
reveal his kindness of heart-and beginning
devotion. 1t is also interesting to see how
Ruth was constantly thoughtful of the older
woman at home; for did she not slip some
of the best things from the table into her
napkin to carry home to Naomi beside the
splendid days wages? So generous was
Boaz that Naomi asked Ruth in surprise,