Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-02

4
food caused a prominent and wealthy
Hebrew to leave Bethlehem and seek
home among the Moabites, where there
was no lack of food supplies. In taking
this step Elimelech disregarded his 10y
atty to his nation and to Jehovah. AL
though he had only to cross the Jordan
either to the north or south of the Dead
Sea to reach Moab, where descendants
of Lot lived, Elimelech's journey took
difference in religion. ITO the Jew
there was no land so distant as the
land of foreign worship"
There Is no indication that Elimelech
gave up his devotion to Jehovah when
he arrived in the country where
Chemosh was the local deity who was
worshiped by the Moabites. The whole
period of the Judges was marked by
pitiless wars and baseless apostacies, so
that Elimelech may have felt that he
was not taking his family into worse
moral condition than that which existed
around Bethlehem In the days OF the
Judges. His home life was marked by
love and devotion. Possibly the two
sons, whose names passes singular sig
nificance, Mahlon meaning 'S1ckly" and
Chilion meaning "a wasting away,
may have married their Moabitish wives
previous to the death of their father,
EIimelech. Although he went into Moab
to preserve the life Of the members OF
his family, he probably did not live very
long in Moab. Probably he had well
coined into his home the two Moabitish
brides, Ruth and Orphan, who, accord
ing to the custom Of the East, came to
dwell in the home of the parents OF the
groom, where they were instructed In
the traditions, teachings and practices
of the family, The death of Elimelech
and the two sons filled Naomi with
great sorrow and longing to return to
Bethlehem. When she determined to
return to her former home and seek
support from her people, Naomi urged
her daughters-in-law to abide in Moab
with their families. She pointed out the
difficulties that they would face If they
returned with her. which would be
greater than she had experienced as an
emigrant. They had chance OF re-
marrying in Moab, which they probably
would not have in Bethlehem.
Ruth's Decision.
While Orphan followed the advice OF
Naomi. Ruth revealed love for Naomi
and the whole Jewish race by her de-
cision. She determined to be faithful
to her mother-in-law and accept the
Jewish faith, even If ''she and her de-
scendantS would remain excluded from
the assembly of Jehovah: even to the
tenth generation" Although at that
period the Hebrews looked upon every
other nation as paganS, the love of
Naomi had removed the barrier OF racial
antagonism and religious prejudice. II
was the influence of Naomi in the home
that prompted Ruth to give expression
to lone of the most beautiful, eloquent
and memorable passages In the Bible"
Although the MoabiteS could claim a
kinship with the Hebrews, yet Ruths
decision called for her to give up every
thing-her country. her social position,
her relations, her chance Of remarriage
and her religion. She declared her reso-
luton and made known her decision
when she said: "Entreat me not to
leave thee nor to return from following
after thee! For where thou goest VIII
90. and where thou lodgest I will lodge.
Thy people will be my people and thy
God my God. Where thou d1eSt WILL
die. and there I will be buried. The
Lord do so to me, and more also, II
aught but death part thee and me-"
Ruth gave a practical proof OF her
devotion and love for Naomi. for upon
their arrival In Bethlehem at harvest
time she started out to support Naomi
and herself by her own efforts. Naomi
advised her where she should seek to
CLEAN. She sent her to particular field,
where one Of the worlds greatest 70.
mances had its beginnings. Naomi OLD
not dream anything about who owned
the field: she knew that Ruth as
stranger, an orphan and q widow hao
certain rights and privileges according
to the law of God to CLEAN that portion
of the crop which belonged to the poor:
Her appearance in the field attracted
the attention Of Boaz, who, upon learning
that she was a widow of one OF Naomls
sons recognized that he had duty to
the stranger. He spoke kindly TO her
and arranged for her protection ana
nrovided that she should be given spe-
ciaI consideration by his reapers. Boaz
was not the nearest relative, but ne Sc
cured a waiver Of his rights from the
nearest kinsman, so that he could enter
into q levirate marriage, which was an
ancient oriental custom that was not
confined to the Hebrews. 1t was not
until that claim could be waived Ina.
Boaz could enter into marriage VIII
Puth that resulted in their becoming
the ancestors of the Messiah.
Modern Message.
We are living In an age that Is marked
hv what has been called CONSTRUCTIVE
discontent." The voices OF many pesel-
rnists and prophets are heard, put tneIe
has never been such demand LOT co.
operative effort to build new age ano
more stable social, commercial, economy
and political life. It Is nearo IN hea atTs
every country. While America, with
its wide-open doors and welcome lor
neonle of all nations, faiths. creeos ana
colors NAV recognize its existence, IL 10
q mart of the awakening in all LANDS
The crv for A square deal and place In
the sun Is seen today in many coun-
tries where the clash OF color ana the
harrier of speech and faith have pre-
vented the proper approach TO one an
other, especially to the foreigners WIFI
in our gates. X,.u,
II America Is TO solve the proolem
presented BY the presence OF the varl-
p,,s races and tongues In our midst, we
must not follow the spirit OF conoe-
scensions that has characterized 80
MANY nations In their attitude TOWARDS
other people. In our study today, we
have seen something Of the power OF
love To remove racial prejudice and the
barriers of faith. The Lord Jesus In
His meeting with the woman OF SamailA
did not treat the woman VINO met Hum
at Jacobs well with the Scorn ana con-
tempt that marked the attitude OF hlS
colIntrymen to Samaritans. He revealed
Einnseif to her as the Messiah and she
won Sychar to Him by her testimony.
He commended the faith of the Roman
centurion. He responded to the plead
ings of the Syrophoenician woman ror
her daughter. He stirred up the anger
of His countrymen when He cited the
widow of Zarephath and Namaan, the
syrian. as examples of how Gods mercy
was not limited to the Jewish people.
His parable Of the Good Samaritan