Orpah seems to have no great spiritual interest in Israel or in the God of Israel. What Naomi does mention pertains to marriage and child bearing. If I have counted correctly, the term is used 48 times in the Old Testament; 9 times in the Pentateuch, 2 times in Ruth, 2 times in the Psalms, 1 time in Isaiah, 2 times in Ezekiel, 1 time in Joel, and 31 times in Job. When they entered Bethlehem, the whole village was excited about their arrival. 7 Now as she and her two daughters-in-law began to leave the place where she had been living to return to the land of Judah, 8 Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Listen to me! The word of God required him to hold fast to the promises and thus to seek the restoration of the land. in 1971. I think the message is pretty loud and clear: Liz Curtis Higgs wrote a book, THE GIRLS STILL GOT IT, about the story of Ruth. WebAnd the name of the man (was) Elimelech. The latter chapters of the book of Judges contain variations of In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes (17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). First, departing from Israel for Moab is to leave Gods land, the land He gave His people, the land in which Jehovah dwelt. Lots older daughter neatly avoided the moral implications of what she proposed. What time does normal church end on Sunday? Maybe you remember this from the story of Naomi and Ruththere was a third woman standing at the crossroads when they had to decide between staying in Moab or returning to Judah. How wrong Naomi was. The people were to know that as they lived in the land of promise in faithfulness, God would bless them. Elimelechs family left the land God gave during the time of the judges in Israel. helen phillips obituary; demarini nautalai 2022; can vanishing twin be misdiagnosed at 7 weeks; coates 11kw pool heater. Fifth, what about remembering Gods day and keeping the fourth commandment in Moab? Keep Shining for Jesus Friend. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. Q. I pray that you, like Ruth, have forsaken all confidence in yourself and have cast yourself upon the one true God for salvation. However, there appears to be far more than meets the eye. Stated in the words of the author of Judges, every man (and woman) was doing what was right in their own eyes. Here is a woman who is not walking by faith, but by sight, who is not living according to the law, but in disregard for it. But she concluded that God was using His power against her, rather than for her. They would be (or so it may have seemed to Naomi) a liability to her when she returned. These cookies do not store any personal information. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Naomi should teach us to be careful about accepting the counsel of those who seem to be well meaning. The story of Ruth and Boaz (yes, and even Naomi) should encourage us to live godly lives in dark days, days of unbelief, disobedience, and disregard for the Word of God. Naomis second effort13 will be less subtle and more pointed and forceful. From these events, we can easily see that the Moabites were no friend to Israel. var addya1ecccfd0b401858a2877dcb45f7be68 = 'billlangerak' + '@'; This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Boaz commanded his field-workers to be considerate toward her. Rev. This she must do by faith. 16But Ruth replied, Dont ask me to leave you and turn back. Samuel's use of setting is powerful as he highlights the inevitable problems that Elimelech will have. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Why did Elimelech take his family to Moab?, Why was it wrong for Elimelech to take And all of this resulted in the near annihilation of one of the twelve tribes (Benjamin) and a conspiracy to acquire wives for the remaining Benjamites in a way that was morally unacceptable. Hebrews 10:25 exhorts us, Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another.Sixth, Elimelechs family left God. Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. This email address is being protected from spambots. 17 See Ruth 4:17, 21-22. addy6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19 = addy6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19 + 'prca' + '.' + 'org'; Classis EastThis email address is being protected from spambots. WebHence, Elimelech decided to go to Moab anticipating that his sons might marry the daughters of Eglon. (Ruth 1:1+2). The use of this word highlights for us the problem with trying to justify faithless living because it will only be for a short time. People of faith in God often stand out in times of crisis, so let us live by the principles of Scripture, rather than by pragmatism. She was not a Jew, and she had not been raised by parents who taught her the law. 12 For all who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. They produced offspring for the Benjamites by orchestrating the kidnapping and rape of 200 virgins.26 The Israelites were like Moabs mother in that they were thinking and acting like Moabites. WebMany resident aliens (especially Jews) may have been placed in this kind of agricultural occupation by the Moabite government. It may be. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; And with Gods help and the support of others who love you and are moving in the same direction, make the decision to get out of Moab today. Naomi doesnt mention that these women would likely not find an Israelite husband. Do you recall what that method was? How do you know when to leave and when to stay? Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way. And so they, like Lots daughters (the oldest one in particular), devised a scheme whereby the line would be preserved, albeit apart from faith and obedience to Gods Word. It is available on the Internet at: www.netbible.org. There is no reason for you to return to Judah with me! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. We are not told how long Elimelech may have waited before he made his fateful decision. This, of course, is Naomis meaning. "Then," he might say, "we will return to the land of promise." After Mahlon died and Ruth had var addy79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c = 'jdengelsma' + '@'; Obviously, Naomi had changed. Ill attempt to support my conclusions as we proceed in our study of this book. To an ancient Israelite, the idea of famine in the land should have confronted them with a theological challenge. The two sons married: Mahlon was joined to Ruth and Chilion wedded Orpah (4).However, the two marriages remained childless and worse was to follow. And what communion has light with darkness? Why shouldn't he leave the land to find food? Judah (through whom the messianic line would be traced) kept his third son from a Levirate marriage with the first sons widow, and then had sex with a woman he thought was a cult prostitute.31 God not only preserved the messianic line, He was faithful to fulfill His (Abrahamic) covenant32 with Abraham. Thus, the reader of this narrative is forced to see the covenant connection between famine and the passages found in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. law. When we met, I had no idea who he was, but he introduced himself something like this, Hi, Bob, Im Nate Mirza. James illustrates the progression in the following way: Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Second, Naomis words are even more forceful here,14 issuing Ruth a command to leave her. Elimelech is confronted with more than merely the problem of feeding his family; he has a covenantal choice set before him. 2On one level the rabbi is exactly correct. Web1. We find Ruth contrasted with Orpah, and then with Naomi. 21I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. All rights reserved. Other than weeping, Orpah remains silent;20 Ruths words and actions are what the author has chosen to report. Naomi also made it clear that this was because (in her mind) God had dealt harshly with her.16 Naomi measured Gods blessing only in terms of food and of family. Is God telling you to get out of Moab? And there is another difficult part of leaving Moab. How could Naomi point them in the wrong direction? Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. He and his sons die in Moab leaving his wife and eventually his daughter in law, Ruth, to return to Bethlehem. The book of Ruth opens with an Israelite, Elimelech, leaving Bethlehem with his wife Naomi and two sons, Mahlon, and Chilion. 19 So the two of them journeyed together until they arrived in Bethlehem. var addy79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c = 'jdengelsma' + '@'; WebSee Page 1. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Or, Ruth was Naomi's daughter in That is to say, the setting has redemptive or covenantal significance. document.getElementById('cloak4e942a4423f495800f38cd74f5bbd140').innerHTML = ''; When they turned away from God, He turned away from them. To walk in the steps of Abraham, one like Ruth would need to: (1) leave her relatives; (2) leave her homeland; and, (3) trust God to bless her as she sought to bless her mother-in-law. I am no longer capable of giving birth to sons who might become your husbands! Id like to deal with our text by calling your attention to the contrasts the author has highlighted in the first chapter of Ruth. That strongly suggests that she was still a Moabite at heart, still an idolater at heart. Naomi felt that God was against her, and every indication is that she felt God had dealt with her in a harsh and severe way. Moab was a land of rich soil and adequate rainfall so this man traveled to a place where his crops wouldnt fail. He took his family away from the covenant and proved to be an unfaithful husband. 4 The LORD said to Moses, Arrest all the leaders of the people, and hang them up before the LORD in broad daylight, so that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. 5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, Each of you must execute those of his men who were joined to Baal-peor (Numbers 25:1-5). Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. Both the Benjamites sin and their judgment are similar to what happened in Genesis 19. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them (Hebrews 11:13-16). One may rightly ask why we would criticize this poor fellow for trying to get his family some food. On account of famine Elimelech and his family left Bethlehem-Judah for the land of Moab. This is a text that has always puzzled me. Elimelech's actions are an apt illustration of this principle. How much is a biblical shekel of silver worth in us dollars? The two women, now forever bound together by Ruths covenant, continued on their way until they reached Bethlehem. Ruth is very significant as regards church membership, departing from the church and joining the church. Ruth was born in Moab about B.C. 19So the two of them continued on their journey. DO YOU HAVE A MOAB THAT YOU NEED TO LEAVE? Fearing they would be overrun by the Israelites, Balak (king of Moab)4 hired Balaam to curse Israel. The security in the home of a new husband referred to earlier is now spelled out in plainer terms. We certainly are reminded of the sovereignty of God by our text, but unfortunately most of the emphasis on Gods sovereignty in chapter 1 comes from Naomi, and she is not seeing things as she should. But when Ruth refused to return to her people and accompanied her to Bethlehem, Boaz entered the picture, a close relative, a possible redeemer. Indeed, Ruth begins with a stark opening sentence that is intended to alarm the reader. WebWhy did Elimelech and his family go to Moab? The Moabites were known for their evil and for their false worship. 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. She believes in a God who is all powerful, but who is not merciful and compassionate. 8 Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds, 9 for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans. As God has said: 'I will dwell in them and walk among them. Samuel does this, not just once or twice, but he layers the whole story with irony. 14 For whenever the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things required by the law, these who do not have the law are a law to themselves. How will this family survive without a faithful husband? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Where will he turn to find food for his family? She has been convinced and turns back to her own country. 20 It could well be that Orpah had much to say, but the author did not wish to focus on her as she is not the heroine of this story. Continue Learning about Religious Studies. Thanks for sharing and God bless your ministry. var addy_text6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19 = 'Stated Clerk';document.getElementById('cloak6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19').innerHTML += ''+addy_text6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19+'<\/a>'; Classis WestThis email address is being protected from spambots. He intended to leave the Promised Land briefly in a time of famine, but his sons decided to live in the foreign land. 3, 4). Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. 1: Why did Elimelech go to live in Moab with his family? var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; Pat. She had to leave her family, her homeland, and her gods and go to the place of Gods blessing. WebAccording to the Bible, why did Elimelech go to live in Moab with his family? Be honest with yourself and recognizethat staying there is not good for you. 15 So Naomi said, Look, your sister-in-law is returning to her people and to her god. As I was studying our text for this message, it occurred to me that the text which describes the origin of the Moabites in Genesis 19 is a key to understanding the story of Ruth, and especially Naomis role in this account. Rabbi Ginsburg argues that Elimelech is really not the problem; his sons are the problem. var addy_text79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c = 'Stated Clerk';document.getElementById('cloak79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c').innerHTML += ''+addy_text79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c+'<\/a>'; 2014 Protestant Reformed Churches in America. He promised blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Then you go and have sexual relations with him so we can preserve our family line through our father. 35 So they made their father drunk that night as well, and the younger one came and had sexual relations with him. Its tough to do. My passion is helping women connect Faith + Life in authentic and meaningful ways. Moab was the nation that actually hired Balaam to curse the Israelites. And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's: And he said to the kinsman, Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab, has resolved to sell the portion of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. The next day, the other man refused to take Ruth, and she and Boaz were married. 11 The thought occurred to me that Naomis journey back to her homeland traced the steps of the Israelites when they first entered the Promised Land. Once again I would suggest that Naomis strong urging for Ruth and Orpah to return was as much for her interests as for her daughters-in-law. This is the first Bible study on Ruth 1:1-6. Surely you would not remain unmarried all that time! And yet as the story of Ruth unfolded this time, it suddenly became obvious to me that Naomi was no role model. Isnt it so cool how the Bible is like that? var addy_text6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19 = 'Stated Clerk';document.getElementById('cloak6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19').innerHTML += ''+addy_text6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19+'<\/a>'; Classis WestThis email address is being protected from spambots. The subject was the Book of Ruth. Even the structure of the Hebrew in our story is similar to that of Abraham's story. About four years ago I was fasting on a 21 days with the church and the Lord said get out of Moab' I had no earthly clue what that meant until the end of July and reading your message is a confirmationI thank GOD for his perfect timing because I had struggled trying to find out what exactly God was trying to get across. Warren Wiersbe, one of my favorite Bible teachers, puts it like this: Emilelech walked by sight not by faith and took his whole family right down with him. She was one who received Gods blessings because she blessed one of Abrahams offspring by remaining with her and committing to care for her.28 Ruth was a woman who committed herself for a lifetime, and she did so in spite of her national pride, her family affections, the example of her sister-in-law, and the urgings of her mother-in-law. What begins as a tragedy of death and sorrow ends in the birth of new life and the resurrection of hope for the family of David. Thanks so much for meeting me here AT THE CROSSROADS. 2 (Now the mans name was Elimelech, his wife was Naomi, and his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. A Jew who knows the law and doesnt live by it is not really a true Jew. A Christian wife is having difficulties in her relationship with her husband, and she shares this with a Christian friend. She views God as harsh and uncaring, doling out affliction and trouble in a way that is completely unrelated to her attitudes and actions. She was Naomis other daughter-in-lawthe wife of her other son. They struggled to find employment or they never really settled in their new environment or they experienced tragedy in their families (though few had it as hard as Naomi). 3, 4). There was a shortage of bread in Bethlehem, which towns name means house of bread. So what did Elimelech and his family do? The term she used to refer to Him Shaddai was a term that emphasized Gods great power. Naomis first attempt is described in verses 8-10. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; As they entered Bethlehem, they became the talk of the town. They left each other and went in opposite directions. Certain decisions have a way of progressing to their natural conclusion. And that this may be the more effectually observed, it is the duty of all believers, according to the Word of God, to separate themselves from all those who do not belong to the church, and to join themselves to this congregation wheresoever God hath established it, even though the magistrates and edicts of princes be against it, yea, though they should suffer death or any other corporal punishment. It certainly would be safer for the two women to travel together, but it is Orpah who will travel alone, not Ruth. Give a joyful shout and cry out, you who have not been in labor! 3 When Israel joined themselves to Baal-peor, the anger of the LORD flared up against Israel. 12 The word new is not in the original text. She does not acknowledge sin on her part (and Elimelechs), and she does not seek to repent. Another label for pragmatism is doing what seems right in our own eyes. That was the spirit of the age during the days of the judges. reghdfe predict out of sample; If you have time this week, my suggestion is to go to the book of Ruth and read it. And so they did. Ruth opens with some dramatic flair, which heightens the irony. If you need my help and encouragement along the way, you know I am here for you! I am always seeking fellow travelers on the journey, so I hope you stay awhile, check out my free resources, and find encouragement for your soul. This is completely secular thinking. Return to Bethlehem (Ruth 1) 1 During the time of the judges there was a famine in the land of Judah. Ruth's story springs up beautifully in the context of this agonizing cycle of failure, except with Ruth we are pointed to the need for more than a judge; there is a need for a faithful husband. I will be their God and they will be my people (Jeremiah 31:33). WebWhy did Elimelech go to Moab? In such a declared emergency, she reasoned, they must take extraordinary measures. Naomi returned to her homeland accompanied by her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth. WebThe name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. 3Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 4 So her sons married Moabite women. Amen (Romans 11:33-36). Naomi tended to focus only on herself, on her lack of sons to give in marriage, and on her lack of a child to carry on the family line. Naomis people (Israel) would be her people, and Naomis God would be her God. Following the death of her husband, Elimelech, and her two sons, Naomi decided to leave Moab, where her family had fled to escape famine. A prominent man named Elimelech went to wait out the lean years in the neighboring land of Moab, with his wife (Naomi) and two sons. A few years later, king Saul will offer the sacrifices, even though he was instructed to wait for Samuel, all because Saul felt this was a crisis that justified setting aside obedience in faith to Gods Word.27. Therefore 'Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. 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. And they will do this because they believe they are doing their friend a favor. God said that Moab was strictly off-limits for the Israelites. The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit. 1100. 16 But as it is, they aspire to a better land, that is, a heavenly one. But the most dramatic new development in Naomis argument is her reference to Orpahs god: 15 So Naomi said, Look, your sister-in-law is returning to her people and to her god. Ruths words are beautiful, and thus it is no wonder that some have chosen to employ them for their marriage vows. But leaving is hard sometimes, isnt it? Her God is all powerful, but not merciful and gracious. Start for FREE. Naomi advised Ruth to glean in the field of Boaz, since he was a relative of Elimelech. var addy_text4e942a4423f495800f38cd74f5bbd140 = 'Classical Committee';document.getElementById('cloak4e942a4423f495800f38cd74f5bbd140').innerHTML += ''+addy_text4e942a4423f495800f38cd74f5bbd140+'<\/a>'; In this emergency, she was proposing an unconventional solution to their problem. Will he respond with repentance and humility or will he seek blessings outside the land? Ruth was determined to serve and care for her mother-in-law; Orpah chose to look out for herself. And Naomi was now ready to arrange for a marriage and offspring in an unconventional way, just as Tamar, the mother of Moab, and the Israelites (more recently) did. People who are not traveling in the same direction. We dont have a very good reputation in the Bible.. - Quora Answer (1 of 4): Because there was a famine in Israel, so he went to another country presumably You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The inference is clear: to remain with Naomi has no promise of blessing and every reason to expect that they will share in her divinely-imposed affliction. I want you to think about Moab. In fact, my study for this sermon has caused me to think of Naomi in even less flattering terms. The law was there to remind them that they couldn't join together the clean with the unclean. Movie directors use this kind of setting to heighten the tension of a story. Without a doubt, this is the most amazing and distressing thing Naomi has said so far. Naomi, seeking a husband for the young Ruth, sent her to Boaz's threshing-floor when he would be there, in the hope that he would want to marry her. during the time of the judges in Israel. Boaz informed her that there was another relative who, according to custom, had prerogative to redeem Elimelech's field and marry her. Her boys ended up choosing Moabite women to marry and these women became part of Naomis family. 3:16).Ruth 1 itself indicates the spiritual significance of its first five verses. Ruth 1:1. Ruth provides us with a vital part of our Saviours genealogy, for she was the great-grandmother of King David from whom came the Messiah, according to His human nature. Beware of well-meaning advice that is not rooted in Scripture and that is supportive of what you would really like to do, rather than what God commands us to do. In spite of the fact that Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and his two sons (Mahlon and Kilion) are living according to the spirit of their day (doing what is right in their own eyes), two people (Ruth and Boaz) stand out as examples of those who live by faith in the God of Israel, and whose lives exemplify living in accordance with Gods Word. But, like Naomi, God started taking things away from me one by one, so I was left standingat the crossroadsall by myself. But it is not the essence of what our life in Christ is about. Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. No wonder Naomi finally ceased trying to convince her to turn back (verse 18). There was a famine in the era of the Judges. 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped trying to dissuade her. Naomi did not doubt the existence of God nor did she doubt His power. For the connection between Ephrath and Bethlehem, see Gen. xxxv. Instead you must completely overthrow them and smash their standing stones to pieces (Exodus 23:24). Reformed Witness Hour Messages for May 2020, Corporate Responsibility and Ezekiel 18 . The just God, of course, is right in so doing, for He is judging sin.We also have Ruths beautiful and moving words to Naomi: 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: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me (16-17). In her third attempt, she orders Ruth to follow her sister-in-law back home. We answer this question with a reminder that Israel was under God's command to remain in the land as part of their call to be faithful. She had given up all hope. A few years ago, I found myselfat a crossroadswith a several key friendships in my life. Who would carry on his line? addy4e942a4423f495800f38cd74f5bbd140 = addy4e942a4423f495800f38cd74f5bbd140 + 'prca' + '.' + 'org';
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