Homilist Ruth 1:16-17 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you: for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge… 1. That private families are as much under the providence of God as the houses of kings. 2. That whilst religion does not secure from the ordinary trials of life, it does secure their being overruled for good. 3. That a devout committal of our being to God in His providence will never fail of its reward. In the text we have — I. A DELIBERATE RESOLUTION FOR THE TRUE. 1. The true in society. 2. The true in worship. II. A SOCIAL INFLUENCE FOR THE TRUE. 1. Naomi represented her country, and her people, and her God, to Ruth. 2. The representation which Naomi gave was most attractive. (1) Every man's conduct is a reflection both of his companions and his God. (2) Heathens are able to identify our companions and our God. (3) We may give such a view of both as will draw them into our circle. III. AN INVINCIBLE ENERGY FOR THE TIME. 1. This force triumphed over all old associations. 2. This force overcame all the pleadings of Naomi. 3. This force changed her social condition and her destiny.Away with the dogma that man is the creature of circumstances! The soul is a mariner that can so pilot her barque as to make the most hostile winds waft her to the shores on which her heart is set. She is an eagle that can rise above the darkest thundercloud of circumstances, and bask in sunlight, whilst that cloud spends itself in wild tempests beneath her buoyant wing. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Ruth 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: |
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