T H E K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S said: “ We are commanded to keep Sab bath, and days on which we must not travel above 2000 cubits, a Sabbath day’s journey.” “Well,” said Ruth, “Whither thou goest, I will go.” Naomi said, “ We are commanded not to tarry all night with Gentiles.” “ Well,” said Ruth, “ Where thou lodgest I will lodge.” Naomi said: “We are commanded to keep 613 precepts." “ Well,” said Ruth, “Whatever thy people keep I will keep, for they shall be my people.” Naomi said: “ We are forbidden to worship any strange God.” “ Well,” said Ruth, “ Thy God shall be my God.” Naomi said: “ We have four sorts of death for malefactors,— stoning, burn ing, strangling and slaying with the sword.” “ Well,” said Ruth, “ Where thou diest I will die.” “ We have,” said Naomi, “ houses of sepulture,’’-^-“ And there,” said Ruth, “Will I be buried.” Jtuth chose Naomi’s God (Josh. 24: 15). Did not Christ say (Luke 14:26), “ If any man come to me and hate not his father, and mother and wife ,and children^ and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple?” And Ruth declares that nothing but death shall part them. Ruth’s choice was the result of deep conviction, not impulse. Her affections were centered in Naomi. She had learned her worth. She had in her heart the power of a new affection. She counted the cost. She made a full sur render. Renunciation is the stepping stone in life. Her resolution stifled temptation. With her it was “ This one thing I do; forgetting the things which are behind and reaching forth unto the things that are before” (Phil. 3:13). She was fully persuaded. She strengthened her state ment with an oath. All bridges were burned behind her.
406 and to any hope of a husband. She must have in expectation sorrow and suffering. This is the test that comes to the sinner when he accepts Christ as Saviour. It means the back upon the world and the face towards Christ. This is the test, too, that comes to every be liever if he is to walk with God in the light. / The decision means, on the one hand, unrest, lack of peace and joy, failure. On the other hand, peace, rest, joy. To live a life misunderstood by the world; to know something of persecution; to be counted as foolish, brainless, “ a fool for Christ’s sake” as Paul says. (3) TRIUMPH OP LOVE, vs. 16-18. Ruth made an intelligent choice. Naomi occupied the heart of Ruth. She clave to her. Her sacrifice meant her world behind, her home, her kindred; identification with another person and another people (2:11, 12). This is the love that should be ours for Christ. He should be everything to us. By grace we are crucified, buried, raised, seated and glorified together with Him. Ruth’s choice was definite, as was that o f ' Rebecca (Gen. 24:58). She faced hardship, poverty, derision, many disappointments. She sacrificed her am bition. Such things are included in the choice for those who go with Christ (Psa. 45:10): “ Hearken, 0 daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house.” She pledges her love and loyalty to Naomi, as did Ittai (2 Sam. 15:21): “ And Ittai answered the king and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.” There is a Chaldee paraphrase of this incident which is interesting, as follows: Ruth said, “ Entreat me not to leave thee, for I will be a proselyte.” Naomi
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