The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-07-13
!, WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
NAOMI
WGGNlBy HIGHT C. MOORE

kbecome identified with Naomi's
land and people.
\ s.. Faith Restoring. Seeing the
devotion of Ruth in her decision,
Naomi gladly accepted it. The
two widows. perhaps penniless
and unattended, set out on foot
from Moab to Bethlehem in
Judah. The arrival of Naomi
was told from house to house and
her old-time friends deeply SYM
pathized with her in her sorrow
and penury. No doubt they re-
ioiced that Ruth had accompan-
led her. and manV a good word
was said for the fair young Mo-
abiteSS in her new home.
6. Faith Adjusting. Though
the reception Of the two widows
at Bethlehem must have been
cordial and a generous hospital
ity extended them, they must, of
course. depend as far as possible
on their own labors for support.
Hence Ruth's request of Naomi
for permission to go into the
fields of barley now being har-
vested and CLEAN after the rean-
ers. Naomi agreed and so Ruth
went bravelv and industriouslv
to her new task. 1t was the first
step in the romance that follow
ed.
7. Faith, Preserving. 1t. so hap
pened. that the barley field in
which. she began to CLEAN. was
the property Of an elderly, in
and generous-minded
citizen by the name Of Boaz.
When he appeared in the field
that morning he inquired who the
fair young CLEANER was and on
learning spoke to her very kind.
ly, made special provision for her
comfort, and commanded the
reapers purpOsely to let fall hand
fuls Of grain for her to CLEAN.
Evidently Boaz at their first
was much impressed with
Ruth, if indeed his affections did
not Immediately warm toward
her.
At any rate, when she return
ed 70 Naomi that evening with an
cphah (about eight and a half
gallons) Of barley. she learned
from Naomi that Boaz was an
honored kinsman. And since he
requested it, she continued in his
fields day by day until the end
of both the barley and wheat
narvests. Frequently during this
time there must have been inter
views between BoaZ and Ruth
which, as told to the discerning
Naomi, with whom Ruth resided,
were signs of growing affection.
8. Faith Requesting. Through
out this period of mutual ac-
ouaintance and deepening re-
gard, there was manifest a Ger
tain diffidencc on the part Of
Boaz and modesty on the part of
Ruth. Naomi, however. read
their hearts quite clearly and it
was she who foresaw what in the
fitness of things ought to ensue.
She, therefore, utilized a peculiar
custom authorized and endorsed
under the Levirate law for over
coming the diffidence Of Boaz
and the timidity Of Ruth. 1t was
If her command that Ruth went
to the threshing floor of Boaz
one night during the. threshing
season, placed herself at the feet
of her benefactor; and in the
way. that Naomi indicated made
her legal and rightful claim to
the protection of her. wealthy
kinsman. "a It is creditable to
Poaz that in. his honorable heart
there was instant response. and
that he commended Ruth for her
virtuous devotion. and that he
determined at once, to go
to the full extent of the law in
generous care for the widowed
Naomi and the Moabitess,
9. Faith Relying. Though Boaz
was q near kinsman, there was
one who stood nearer still toI
Naomi and Ruth To him early
next morning, Boaz; in the gate
of the city, made appeal, giving
him, If he chose to exercise it,
the right to buy back for Naomi
the ancestral estate of the de-
ceased EIimelech. To this he in
stantlv agreed. But when Boaz
further Stipulated that the bar
gain should include marriage toI
the MoabitesS, the unnamed kins-
man (who may have been a wild
over with several children) de-
clined on the ground. that this
would mar his own estate, SO
he reiinouished his claim to Boaz
who immediately and eagerly b!
due process of Law secured the
property of .Elimeiech and also
claimed in Ruth the object of
his love. -,
IL. Faith Rewarded. Every OBJ
stacle having thus been removed
from the consummation of a love
ly Oriental romance. wealthy
Boaz, and penniless Ruth became
husband and wife. The elders os
the city, the hest families Of tn
Mace, and the people round
about Joined in their. chorus of
congratulations and best wishes.
Nor does the beautiful story
close without a vivid hor1e-toucb