Middletown transcript., 1920-04-24
LESSON FOR APRIL rs
RUrH's WISE CHOICE.

=.
PRIMARY ToP1c-The Story OF Ruth
JUNIOR 1OPIC-Huth and Naomi.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-life's Decisions.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADCLT TOPIC
The Power Of Personal influence.
!. The Occasion Of Ruti''s CholeeI
Q:1-15).
On account Of the famine In Beth
lehem-Judea, Naomi with her husband
and two sons sojourned in the land
Of Moab. After the death Of her hus-
band, her two sons married Moajitisf,
women. After a 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 to escape
trouble, but they only got into. more
trouble. It was not till Naomi was
thus chastised that she resolved to re-
turn. She had the good sense to
recognize that the hand Of the Lord
was upon her for good. Ruth and Or
pah accompanied her. This she per
mitted. but determined to place before
them frankly the difficulties which
would necessarily confront them. 1t
was tbs frank presentation OF the
difficulties and her repeated urging
them to go back that furnished the
occasion for Ruth's wise choice.
u. Tho Trials Of Ruth's Choice wv.
1919.
Much as Naomi loved her daughters
in-law, she would not have them go
into this matter blindly. She wished
them to know the cost Of their under
taking. She told them the worst that
could come upon them. then if hard
ships came they could only blame
themselves. Christ held before the
people the great good Of casting their
lots with him, but always frankly told
them what 1t would cost: III any man
will come after me, let him deny HIM
self and take up his cross and follow
me-" mo man having put his hand
to the pillow and looking back, is fit for
the kingdom Of Cod"
Note the difficulties which confront
ed Ruth:
/. No chance to get married gain.
Naomi told her that she had nc more
sons for which she could wait. In that
day to be unmarried was the greatest
disgrace. Furthermore, 1t was against
Gods law for the Jews to marry out
side Of their own people.
2. She must renounce her gods. Her
idolatrous worship could not be carried
on in the land where Gods people
dwelt. This was delicately touched
upon when Orpah went back ". 15).
Orpah went back when it was plain
that there was no chance to get a hus-
band. Now Naomi puts an additional
test upon Ruth, that Of giving up her
religion. Naomi's very frankness In
dealing with her caused Ruth to be
more and more determined to cast her
lot with her. No doubt she learned to
love the true God through the life Of
this true woman. Ruth's decision was
50 definite and unfaltering that her
very expressions have come down to
US in words which mo poetry hes out
rivaled and no pathos exceeded, and
which have gone down through Gen.
turtles with a music that will not let
them be forgotten" She was deter
mined to share Naomi's 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.
III. The Glorious Issue Of Ruth's
Choice.
Ruth was never sorry for her choice.
for:
1. She found the true God ". 16).
Instead Of her heather gods, who were
unable to help her, she now had the
living God-the God Of Israel-as her
God.
2. She found human friends (ch. ..
As she went to CLEAN in the fields she
was led to the field Of Boaz-a man
Of wealth and grace. The servants of
Boaz treated her with consideration !;
even Boaz gave instruction for special
consideration to be given her.
8. A good husband and happy home
(chaps. 8 and ~. She not only Sc
cured a husband, but a man Of God.
who had abundance of this worlds
goods.
4. An honored place in the Israel
itish nation (4:13-17). Though she had
to forsake her own people, she became
one of a nobler people.
s. She became a link in the chain
Of Christ's ancestry (4:18-22; Ct. Matt.
1857. The one who fully decides for
Christ and gives up all for him shall
get hundredfold in this life and in
the world to come. eternal life.
This story is fine exhibition Of dis
sensational truth:
~ The famine in the land indicates
the testing Of the Jews; (2) the going
into Moab, the sojourn of the Israel
ties cmong the nations; (3) sickness
and death in Moab, the chastisement Of
the Jews in this present age; (4) the
return to the land, the gathering Of
Israel to their own land; (5) Ruth 81
lowing, the gathering Of the Gentiles
through the influence Of the Jews;
(6) the marriage between Boaz and
Ruth, the union Of the church with