THE book of Ruth is well beloved of Bible students for the lessons it teaches of unselfishness, loyalty, gentleness, tenderness, humility, patience, and gratitude — qualities that were expressed in such generous measure by this Moabitess and her mother-in-law, Naomi.
In thoughtfully studying the record that its lessons might be applied to present-day needs, one student realized that because Ruth's consciousness was so filled with love, this divine quality was reflected in her surroundings soon after she had suffered a grievous human experience. It was noted that she did not allow a lingering and mesmeric habit of bemoaning her fate to fasten itself upon her, nor did she magnify the sad circumstances of her widowhood or the lonely sense of being in a strange country without kindred or supply.
Her first thought was to comfort another. Love was teaching her the divine art of healing. It also enabled her to discern the spiritual qualities in Naomi's character; and in these ways her thought was prepared to turn from the false sense of personal sorrow and follow the one God, divine Love, wherever He might lead. Ruth's simple faith and loving compassion were shown in her touching answer to Naomi, who had counseled her to return to her former associates in the land of her birth. She said, "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."
