L. H. S.

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Original.

THE MOTHERS OF THE BIBLE.

NAOMI AND RUTH.

It would be only presumption in us to attempt giving in any other than the beautifully simple words of Scripture the story of Ruth and her mother-in-law.  The narration is inimitable, and needs nothing to make it stand out like a picture before the mind.  Suffice it then that we now attend only to the lessons which may be gathered from it, and endeavor to profit by them through all our coming lives.  Nor let any think the lessons afforded by these four short chapters few or easily acted upon, though they may be soon comprehended.  They will amply reward earnest study and persevering practice.

The first thing which wins our admiration is Ruth’s faith.  She had been educated in the degrading worship of Chemosh, the supreme deity of Moab.  Probably no conception of the one living God had been formed in her mind until her acquaintance with the Jewish youth, the son of Elimelech and Naomi.  How long she had the happiness of a wife we are not informed.  We know it was only a few years.  But during that period she had learned to put such confidence in Jehovah, that she was willing to forsake country and friends, even the home of her childhood and beloved parents, and go forth with her mother-in-law to strange scenes, and willing to brave penury and vicissitude that she might be numbered among His people.  Firmly she adhered to her resolution.  The entreaties of Naomi—­the thought of her mother—­the prospects which might await her in her own land—­even the retreating form of Orpah—­nothing had power to prevail over her desire to see Canaan and unite in the worship of her husband’s God.  “The Lord recompense thy work,” said Boaz to her, “and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”  He is not unfaithful, and that reward was made sure.  “Of the life that now is,” the promise speaks, and it was fulfilled to her.  Of an undying honorable name it says nothing, but that is also awarded her.  “Upon a monument which has already outlasted thrones and empires, and which shall endure until there be a new heaven and a new earth—­upon the front page of the New Testament is inscribed the name of RUTH.  Of her came David—­of her came a long line of illustrious and good men—­of her came Christ.”

Why will we not learn—­why will we not daily and constantly act upon the truth that implicit faith is pleasing to God?  “None of them that trust in Him shall be desolate.”

There is a fund of instruction also in the few glimpses which we gain of the intercourse of Naomi and Ruth as they journey on and after their arrival in Canaan.  How does the law of love dictate and pervade every word and action!  Naomi had once been an honored wife and mother in Judah, and far above the reach of want.  But in “the days when the judges ruled,” those days during which “every