The Pulpit Commentary — Ruth — Section 29

without nttractions for her. Could she leave the temples, the deities, the observances of her earliest days behind ? II. THERE WERIC MANIFESTATIONS OF PIOUS CONSTANCY IN RUTH'S RESOLVES. 1. She would go with Naomi, though by an unknown route. 2. She would dwell with Naomi, though in an unknown home. 3. She would die with Naomi, though to be buried in nn unknown grave. III. TIIERIJ: WAS A RELIGIOUS FOUNDATION FOR RUTH'S CONSTANCY. 1. Apparent from the resolution-" Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." 2. Apparent from the adjuration she employed-" The Lord do so," &c. IV. THE TRIUMPH AND RECOMPENSE OF RUTH'S CONSTANCY. 1. Her fidelity and devotion were reciprocated by Naomi. 2. In the providence of God Ruth was rewarded by an honourable position and a happy life.-T. Vere. 19-21.-Heart WQUM8 reopened. Return after long absence to scenes of youth always affecting; he who returns is changed; they who receive him are changed too. Observe the reception which Naomi met from her former neighbours at Bothlehem. Their question, "Is this Naomi?" evinces-1. Surprise. She is living I We see her again I Yet how is she changed I 2. Interest. How varied has been her experience whilst absent I And she loves Bethlehem so that she returns to it in her sorrow I 3. Compassion. "All the city was moved about them." How could those who remembered her fail to be affected by the calamities she had passed through? Consider the sentiments expressed by Naomi upon her return. I. HER GRIEF WAS NATURAL AND BLAMELESS. II I went out full," i. e. in health, in youth, with some earthly property ; above all, with husband and sons. "The Lord bath brought me home again empty," i. e. aged, broken down in health and spirits, poor, without kindred or supporters. "Call me not Naomi," i. e. pleasant; "call me Mara," i. e. bitter. Her lot was sad. Religion does not question the fact of human trouble and sorrow. And she was not wrong in feeling, in the circumstances, the peculiar pressure of grief and distress. We remember that" Jesus wept." II. HER RECOGNITION OF Goo's PROVIDENCE WAS RIGHT; WAS A SIG~ OF PIETY. She attributes all to the Almighty, to the Lord. Observe that in two verses this acknow- ledgment is made four times. In a world over which God rules we should acknow- ledge his presence and reign in all human experience. If trouble comes to us by means of natural laws, those laws are ordered by his wisdom. If by human agency, that agency is the result of the constitution with which he has endowed man. If as the result of our own action, he connects actions with their consequences. Therefore, let us reverently recognise his hand in all that happens to us I III. HER INTERPRETATION OF GoD's PROVIDENCE WAS MlSTAKEN. II The Lord," said Naomi, "hath testified ag·ainst me." Men frequently imagine that if God could prevent afll.ictions, and yet permits them, he cannot regard the afflicted in a favour- able and friendly light. But this is not so. "Whom he loveth he chasteneth." The Book of Job warns us against misunderstanding the meaning of calamity. Christ has also warned us against supposing that Divine anger is the explanation of human griefs and sufferings. "All things work together for good unto those who love God." How often is it true, as the poet Cowper knew and sang- " Behind a frowning providence God hides a smiling face ! " T. Vera. 16, 17.-" Entreat me not to leave thee." A mother and a daughter-in-law are to go together. The daughter wishes it, and petitions with most eloquent ardour that it shall be so. A mother-in-law is sometimes-alas, too often-the subject of criticism and satire. It is a difficult position to fill, and many bitterly unkind und untrue caricatures have been mude upon the relationship. In this case Naomi had made herself beloved by both Orpnh and Ruth, and it was only through Naomi's words, 11 Turn again," that Orpnh went back ; for they had both said," Surely we will return with thee unto thy people." Ruth, however, remained firm, and her fidelity has made these words quickening to many undecided souls. I. ENTnEATv "dAY PROVE TOO EARNEST. "F.ntreut me not." It is the language uf  24 TliE BOOR OF nu'l'I.t.