T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S It is the history of the backslider, choosing his own way, led to want and woe; seeking to save himself from woe, he runs into judgment. Discontent leads to distrust. The way of the trans gressor is hard. There is a brief obit uary for the three men, “ They died.” Journeying from God’s people; joining with God’s enemies; judgment from God’s hands. Outline: (1) Tidings from the Homeland, vs. 6, 7. (2) Test of Affection, 8-15. (3) Triumph of,Love, 16-18. (4) Testimony of the Backslider, 19-22. (1) TIDINGS FROM THE HOME LAND, vs. 6, 7. After the death of Elimelech and Mahlon and Chilion, Naomi came to herself and determined to return to her own home, for she had heard “ how that the Lord had visited His people in giv ing them bread.” Naomi is a penitent backslider. She is honest. She makes a full confession. She tells the whole truth. She has suf fered for her sins. She is poor. She is needy. She has nothing to offer but herself. There are no prospects for the girls, from her standpoint. She has in her heart an unselfish love, and she urges them to return. There are serious lessons for the backslider (Jer. 2 :19): “ Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee; know, therefore, and see that it is an evil thing and hitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts.” He has to learn that it is an evil and hitter thing to forsake the Lord, and this was the condition of Naomi. It is always good news to know that God has blessings in store for those who return. The Lord saw the affliction of
405 Israel in Egypt and sent them a mes sage (Ex. 3:16; 4:29, 31; Prov. 30:8; Isa. 55:10). This is a companion picture to that of the prodigal in Luke when he says, “ In my Father’s house there is bread enough and to spare.” The first step of the backslider away from God is fatal, hut the outstretched arms of the Father and the remem brance of the blessings in the homeland, are designed of God to bring him back. There may be trials and temptations in the homeland life of the believer, but He, Himself, is there always. Better never stray away. (2) TEST OF AFFECTION, vs. 8-15. The three women have journeyed to gether for a- little season, when Naomi urges them to return, each to her mother’s house, and asks a blessing upon them, giving them a parting kiss. She loves them, but they are aliens— Moabites— and there was a special ban upon the Moabites, (Deut. 23:3 ): “ An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to his tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord forever.” She has no hope for them in Israel, no prospects for husbands for them, and in the bitterness of her soul she says, “ The hand of the Lord is gone out against me.” (Judges 2:15.) Orpah yields to the pleading and re turns. Ruth cleaves to her mother-in- law. No promise or hope is held out to Ruth. The tests put to her are those that are put to every believer who will follow Christ (Mark 8:34). “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Luke 9 :62): “No naan having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” To go with Naomi she must die to her own kindred, to her own interests,
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