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22So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. A Bethlehem forsaken for Moab - STEM Publishing This should not come as news to us, but it is a truth that has not come easily to Jews, even some Jewish Christians.33 It is Naomi who fails to live up to the faith of her fathers, while Ruth is an example for all to follow, Jew or Gentile. This was a grievous sin, departing from the church of God and the communion of saints (Heidelberg Catechism, Q. 1 Copyright 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. WebElimelech and His Family Move to Moab 1 1-2 Long ago, in the days before Israel had a king, there was a famine in the land. Ruth Thus, we cannot say with certainty that the story of Ruth occurs late in the period of the judges, though this seems likely. I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts and minds. document.getElementById('cloak79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c').innerHTML = ''; RecentlyI spoke on MEETING AT THE CROSSROADS and used the story of Ruth and Naomi to talk about what it takes to connect withothers and walk in the right direction. Things are far more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord himself has raised his fist against me., 14And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. Ruth was the great grandmother of King David. Who would want Naomi for a mother-in-law? ELIMELECH - JewishEncyclopedia.com For whatever the reason in God's sovereign purposes, famines provide the context for the test of faithfulness. The best thing for Orpah and Ruth to do was to return to their people and their gods, Naomi concluded. This takes risk, obedience, and movement in a totally different direction. The genealogy provided in chapter 4 would incline us to believe that the events of Ruth took place later rather than sooner in the period of the judges, because Ruth is the great grandmother of David.17 But other than this, there do not appear to be any direct links to events or persons in the Book of Judges. His counsel (even though it effectively called God a liar) was given as though it were in her best interest. In the brief narrative no critical comment lived and so they went to Moab where conditions were better and get Naomi told her friend not to call her Naomi (which means pleasant) any longer, but rather to call her Mara (which means bitter). Because Moab was a place known for its refusal to feed Israel bread. More tears are shed. document.getElementById('cloak4e942a4423f495800f38cd74f5bbd140').innerHTML = ''; Surely it fell short of what Ruths experience will be. Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, moved to Moab during a famine. But, like Naomi, God started taking things away from me one by one, so I was left standingat the crossroadsall by myself. Ruths words are her covenant with Naomi, with Israel, and with God, patterned after Gods covenant with Abraham and his descendants: Only death will be able to separate me from you! (Ruth 1:16-17). var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; From start to his family's finish, Elimelech acted contrary to his name and to the lessons of redemptive history. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung tightly to her. Design by Social Village. Naomi and her two daughters-in-law had already set out for Israel11 when Naomi began to have second thoughts not about her return, but about having two Moabite daughters-in-law in tow when she arrived at her home town of Bethlehem. Now that Orpah has decided to turn back, Naomi appears to have more leverage. Required fields are marked var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; Who would want a Moabite wife, especially a widow? 35 Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? Now, Naomi urges both of her daughters-in-law to go back home to their own land21 and to their mothers homes22 and to find a new Moabite husband, so that they might have security.23 While God promised to bless all those who blessed Abraham and his offspring, Naomi told her daughters-in-law that to stay with her would be to share in the curse God had placed upon her.24 As the story of Ruth and Boaz unfolds, God promises are fulfilled, while Naomis warning and instructions are proven to be false. Angus Stewart, Pastorates: Covenant Protestant Reformed Church of Ballymena, Northern Ireland - 2001. (8) All of this leads me to conclude that Naomi is not an example of faith, but an excellent example of Israels poor spiritual health. Elimelechs family left the land God gave them in Bethlehem, which land was a sign of the heavenly inheritance.Second, Elimelechs family left Gods people. So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel. 2 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible. Ruth opens with a startling statement of famine.