why did elimelech and his family go to moabhealthy options at kobe steakhouse
Her commitment is not just to Naomi; it is a lifetime commitment to Israel and to her God. Hence, should a sensitive reader become surprised to read now that the result of Elimelech's decision is death to his sons? He sought wives for his sons from the worst place in the world that a faithful Israelite could imagine, from Moab. How does one today keep the Lords Day holy when he or she has no faithful church to attend? The all-powerful God was making Naomis life miserable, so she thought and said. His intent was that once his sons would gain their consent, he would go back with his family to Bethlehem and have them converted. Probably the famine had not reached Moab, and this man heard that there was food there. For my intense suffering is too much for you to bear. . This is a text that has always puzzled me. document.getElementById('cloak6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19').innerHTML = ''; Give a joyful shout and cry out, you who have not been in labor! Famine in the land of promise can mean only one thing; God is testing with his people. While they were in Moab, Elimelech died, leaving Naomi and her two sons. var addy_texta1ecccfd0b401858a2877dcb45f7be68 = 'Classical Committee';document.getElementById('cloaka1ecccfd0b401858a2877dcb45f7be68').innerHTML += ''+addy_texta1ecccfd0b401858a2877dcb45f7be68+'<\/a>'; Naomis people (Israel) would be her people, and Naomis God would be her God. Naomi doesnt mention that these women would likely not find an Israelite husband. 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. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. Continue Learning about Religious Studies. What a great story. And when both her sons died without bearing children, her situation seemed impossible. 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. I love how God works! The first concerns our Lord Jesus Christ. moved to Bethlehem with her mother in law, Naomi, she met and Wow, Pat! We know that this backfired because Balaam could not curse those whom God had blessed.5 When this approach did not work, Balaam counseled Balak how to harm Israel in a very different way by having the Moabite women seduce the Israelite men.6 One might easily infer from this that the Moabites, like the Canaanites, were a sexually immoral people (in a way that tempted the Israelites). Elimelech responds with fear and flight. WebElimelech Why did Naomi decide to return from the country of Moab? This is entirely consistent with Old Testament history and with the warnings recorded in Leviticus 26:18-20 and Deuteronomy 28:23-24. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by their arrival. Following the death of her husband, Elimelech, and her two sons, Naomi decided to leave Moab, where her family had fled to escape famine. This she must do by faith. Can this be Naomi? they asked (verse 19). Neither does she mention the mistreatment they would likely receive because Moab is Israels enemy, but they could probably read between the lines. Joseph's family were given the land of Goshen to live Were Orpah and Ruth Israelites? 54-55). Her husband and sons are gone, so the choice is now hers. I am now inclined to believe that Ruth is an example of Romans 2:12-16. But in Old Testament redemptive narrative, famines often come to the land as God curses his people or tests them regarding their faithfulness. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Nobody would yoke a donkey with an ox because one is smaller and it wouldn't work. There is yet another irony in Elimelech's choice of Moab. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; They left each other and went in opposite directions. document.getElementById('cloaka1ecccfd0b401858a2877dcb45f7be68').innerHTML = ''; For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? One manifestation of Gods mercy, expressed through His sovereignty, is His providential working at times when there appears to be no hope. 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). 1100. 34 So in the morning the older daughter said to the younger, Since I had sexual relations with my father last night, lets make him drunk again tonight. May your acts of kindness be repaid fully by the LORD God of Israel, from whom you have sought protection! (Ruth 2:10-12, emphasis mine). Some returned to the land of their birth.Is this what we have here in Ruth 1:1-5? You need JavaScript enabled to view it. He is the ancestor of the Moabites of today. If they were not faithful to this task, they would be tested even more severely and called back to faithfulness. 1100. document.getElementById('cloak79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c').innerHTML = ''; 20 Yet the children born during your time of bereavement will say within your hearing. Surely it fell short of what Ruths experience will be. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. To him be glory forever! The best thing for her to do was to return to Bethlehem and live out the rest of her days, dying empty (i.e., childless). And in good covenant form, she pronounced a curse upon herself if she did otherwise. 19So the two of them continued on their journey. This time it is Orpah who kisses Naomi goodbye. This email address is being protected from spambots. Ruth was a superlative servant of God.Naomi and her family had sojourned in Moab during a famine. The lot of widows was especially hard in those days, but for a widow in a foreign land, like Naomi, it was even more difficult.We are not altogether unfamiliar with stories like this. has Naomi sold. 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. var addy79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c = 'jdengelsma' + '@'; Even if I thought that there was hope that I could get married tonight and conceive sons, 13 surely you would not want to wait until they were old enough to marry! She urged her daughters-in-law to return to their mothers home, with the expectation that the LORD would bless them with security in a marriage to a new12 Moabite husband. (Ruth 1:1-22)2. Who will be the judge that does not fall like Samson fell? Is this merely a sad story of a family fleeing famine in Israel, only for most of them to end up in a graveyard in Moab? Sadly, many professing Christians today will accept a job in another part of the country or world, before even asking themselves if there is a good Reformed church there and without doing the requisite research. Her name was Orpah. My passion is helping women connect Faith + Life in authentic and meaningful ways. Like Moabs mother, the Israelites reasoned that due to their circumstances, an Israelite line might become extinct. An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the LORD forever, because they did not meet you with bread and water on the road when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. 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. His oldest daughter concluded that their father would die without an heir. Leaving the people of God is leaving the God of His people. She does not acknowledge sin on her part (and Elimelechs), and she does not seek to repent. Elimelech exhibits an almost crazy decision when he left Bethlehem, the house of bread, and sought bread from Moab. Stay in Bethlehem: risk starving their bodies. You can almost feel the trembling in his voice as he pleads with his wife to pretend to be his sister. elimelech died, leaving naomi and her daughters-in-law alone. People who want to stay in Moab. Ruth has an uncanny grasp of Israels religion and has chosen to embrace it as her own. Elimelech was of the tribe of Judah. WebAs a result, the socio-economic fabric of society was falling apart, and a famine gripped the land. 11 In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. He was clearly a faithless husband who led his family directly into death. Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way. var addy6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19 = 'spronk' + '@'; Thank you, sister friend! Learn how your comment data is processed. The Promised Land, which was supposed to be characterized as a fruitful land, is now described as dry. daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. However, as they lived in the land and were not faithful, then God would bring famine. Many are the times when friends counsel others to act in their own best interests, and all too seldom do they point their friends to the difficult principles and commands of Scripture. var addy_text6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19 = 'Stated Clerk';document.getElementById('cloak6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19').innerHTML += ''+addy_text6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19+'<\/a>'; Classis WestThis email address is being protected from spambots. It is four short chapters and will only take you a few minutes. This means, says the rabbi, that Elimelech was only on a temporary journey. In Numbers 25 we hear that the Israelites were beginning to fornicate with the Moabite women, and as a result God began to kill the men then with a plague. They were both Moabite women, close to the same age. The barley harvest will play a significant role in moving this story forward in the next two chapters. Somehow God wrote His law on Ruths heart, not unlike Tamar and Rahab, her predecessors. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; Id like to deal with our text by calling your attention to the contrasts the author has highlighted in the first chapter of Ruth. The book also presents a kinsman redeemer (Boaz) who buys back or redeems his deceased relatives wife (Ruth). var addya1ecccfd0b401858a2877dcb45f7be68 = 'billlangerak' + '@'; What is wrong with reporter Susan Raff's arm on WFSB news. Hence, we can connect a theme in Judges with the events unfolding in our story here in Ruth. The only hope Naomi sees for Orpah and Ruth is the hope of finding a Moabite husband and bearing children. In the past, Naomi was always portrayed in a somewhat flattering way. Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church of Singapore, Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Australia, Missions, Sister Churches, Christian Schools. Sin has a way of making progress in our lives even if we start in rather small ways. Would he trust in God's promise to provide food for his family in the land or would he leave in fear? 19 and Micah 5:2. The law had made this clear to God's people using the illustration of yoking of a donkey with an ox. This, of course, is Naomis meaning. How wrong Naomi was. 9 May the Lord enable each of you to find security in the home of a new husband! Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept loudly. No wonder God forbade Moabites from entering the assembly to the tenth generation.7. What a mighty, magnificent, merciful, awesome God we serve! We find Ruth contrasted with Orpah, and then with Naomi. I might have taken her as my wife. In Judges 19-21, we find a similar situation. Elimelech died (of what, we are not told), leaving Naomi a widow, and Mahlon and Chilion orphans, in a foreign land (3). They emigrated from famine-stricken Israel to Moab (1-2). 12 The word new is not in the original text. Ruth would not only do this until death separated them, she would do so in death. in 1971. var addy6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19 = 'spronk' + '@'; Here is a story that not only warms our hearts, it encourages our faith by unveiling the providential hand of God in bringing salvation and blessing during one of the darkest periods in history. 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). The contrast between Naomi and Ruth is very clear when the two womens words and actions are viewed from the vantage point of the Abrahamic Covenant. Therefore all those who separate themselves from the same, or do not join themselves to it, act contrary to the ordinance of God.At first blush, Ruth 1:1-5 records a very simple human story, involving a family of four, consisting of a man and his wife, Elimelech and Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion (2). Many tears were shed, but in the end both women refused to leave Naomi and return to their mothers home. In addition, anyone who wants to share the Bible with others can print unlimited copies and give them away free to others. 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. Im thankful that it encouraged you, Bill. To an ancient Israelite, the idea of famine in the land should have confronted them with a theological challenge. 3:15), and the fellowship of the saints, which is ultimately fellowship with the Triune God (I John 1:3)!Third, Elimelechs family left Gods office-bearers. It was completed by more than twenty biblical scholars who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Ruth focused on Naomi and her need and on Naomis people and their God. We, too, live in very pragmatic times, and those who live by principle especially the principles of Gods Word are few and far between. The contrast between Ruth and Orpah. He says this because the Hebrew that Samuel uses to describe Elimelech's action is the word for "sojourning!" From start to his family's finish, Elimelech acted contrary to his name and to the lessons of redemptive history. For example, the opening lines point us back to the book of Judges and one of the recurring themes in that book. The security in the home of a new husband referred to earlier is now spelled out in plainer terms. 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. Read More. The word does mean something, but not exactly what the rabbi thinks. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. How could any faithful Israelite encourage someone to return to their (false) god(s)? These three widows, Naomi, Ruth and Orpah, were in a difficult and sad situation. For some who emigrated, it worked out well, but for others it did not. Naomis hope was in the physical rather than in the spiritual, in the present rather than in eternity. I am so grateful for your encouragement! Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? His faithfulness to His people and to His covenant is at a time when His people are not faithful to Him and when they are living in disregard for His law. Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. addy6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19 = addy6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19 + 'prca' + '.' + 'org'; land of Israel, which included Bethlehem where Elimelech and Naomi There is no doubt that this is a great honor and privilege for a woman. Why do we know this? Ruth 1:2b. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; A.Stewart, Pastorates: Covenant Protestant Reformed Church of Ballymena, Northern Ireland - 2001. The Moabites had resorted to more than one way to curse and to destroy the Israelites. We want to go with you to your people., 11But Naomi replied, Why should you go on with me? Do you have pictures of Gracie Thompson from the movie Gracie's choice. But ten years later tragedy hit struck again as both of Naomis sons diednow leaving three women defenseless, alone, and with no way of supporting themselves. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi. Her faith and obedience was known by all. It was a bad start, and sadly things didnt get any better over time. Even if we know it is best togo. Whether its a place we dont belong or a relationship going in the wrong direction or an activity were ashamed of or a habit thats strangling us, we need to get out of Moab. Later, things seemed to look up for the bereaved family. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. Samuel does this, not just once or twice, but he layers the whole story with irony. Your threshing shall last till the time of vintage, and the vintage shall last till the time of sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely (which is exactly what we see later when Boaz the faithful husband responds to God with faithfulness remember he lays down on a huge pile of harvest from the land). And both (at least initially) were committed to staying with Naomi, even if that meant immigrating to Israel. As Orpah kisses Naomi goodbye and turns back toward home, Ruth clings all the more tightly to her mother-in-law. He took his wife and 2 The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were When a famine came to the area around Bethlehem, Elimelech and Naomi moved to Moab (Moab was the name of Lot's elder daughter's son and the people and land 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. (2) There is no indication that other Israelites from Bethlehem (or elsewhere in Israel) accompanied Elimelech and his family to Moab. The translation project originally started as an attempt to provide an electronic version of a modern translation for electronic distribution over the Internet and on CD (compact disk). You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. (6) Most (if not all) of Naomis actions, attitudes, and advice were misguided and downright wrong. Were Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion all Israelites? If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. 38 The younger daughter also gave birth to a son and named him Ben-Ammi. They arrived in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest. Famine drove them to leave their homeland and travel to Moab to make a new life. What is wrong with reporter Susan Raff's arm on WFSB news? In this emergency, she was proposing an unconventional solution to their problem. He is the ancestor of the Ammonites of today (Genesis 19:30-38, emphasis mine). You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Instead, call me Mara,[a] for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. 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. This was the land in which God had already killed the men of Israel for the very same action. Isnt it so cool how the Bible is like that? Rev. Then Elimelech, Naomis husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. No, of course not, my daughters! Indeed, the structure of Judges begs us to ask about the future. Naomis third appeal is to Ruth alone, based on Orpahs decision to return home. This man, who is yet unnamed, left the land of promise. WebHence, Elimelech decided to go to Moab anticipating that his sons might marry the daughters of Eglon. 2On one level the rabbi is exactly correct. It was a good number of years ago that I sat in on an excellent elective class taught by my friend, Tom Wright. Why were naomi and elimelech forced to flee Bethlehem and journey to moab? Thus, the use of the word lagur can be explained as related to geirut conversion. I pray that you, like Ruth, have forsaken all confidence in yourself and have cast yourself upon the one true God for salvation. WebElimelech Moves His Family to Moab 1 In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. In her thinking, God had stripped her of all hope by taking her husband and her sons in death, and by preventing their wives from bearing children. Start your free trial today! If Ruth is right in moving to Israel from Moab, then Elimelechs family were wrong in moving from Israel to Moab. It is no wonder that Naomi speaks to her daughters-in-law about husbands, marriage, and children, because this is what is on her mind. The term Ephrathites identifies the men with Ephrath. Naomis first attempt is described in verses 8-10. Disagreement with his town leaders Famine in his home town Distant relatives invited him Earthquake in his home town Sara Rachel Mara Elizabeth 2: What were the names of Elimelech's two sons? 3, 4). Lot was turned to salt because she looked back at the city. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. (If you're a human, don't change the following field), Ruth 1:1-6 - Famine in the House of Bread. What route might one take from Bethlehem to Moab? You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, moved to Moab during a famine. Second, Naomis words are even more forceful here,14 issuing Ruth a command to leave her. Amen (Romans 11:33-36). When they entered Bethlehem, the whole village was excited about their arrival. One has to ponder the outcome of her decision. That is precisely what Naomi did with Orpah and Ruth. WHEN YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF MOAB | At the Crossroads. She decided it was time to get out of Moab. and lifts up the needy from the garbage pile, 9 He makes the barren woman of the family. Because of a famine, they relocated to Moab, a neighboring country where there was food. Boaz commanded his field-workers to be considerate toward her. It is not Naomis belief in the sovereignty of God that troubles me as much as how she applies it. If leaving Judah was not bad enough, the place he chose to go was even worse. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. He turned his back on them and He dried up the land. We may only intend to walk somewhere for a brief time. Indeed, Ruth begins with a stark opening sentence that is intended to alarm the reader. This is leaving Almighty God out of a big issue, whether or not to stay in the church!Third, the very first verse of Ruth states, Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled Certainly, this is a temporal indicator, telling us when these events took place. Samuel immediately requires the reader to wrestle with the dire need of a faithful husband. 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. In Naomis mind, it probably was in their best interest, but it also appeared to benefit her. 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. They entered the region of Moab and settled there. There was no famine there Why did This was the place that was characterized as the place of famine for Israel; Moab was known for withholding bread from Israel. This faithless man journeys to the worst possible place one can imagine as it relates to the hope for bread, to the land of Moab. The Messianic seed was often put at risk in the Old Testament. Ruth 1:1b. Who thinks of Orpah today? 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous before God, but those who do the law will be declared righteous. Not only were they renowned for their immorality in general, but they had an infamous place in redemptive history. There was a shortage of bread in Bethlehem, which towns name means house of bread. So what did Elimelech and his family do? Ruth 1:1-5. Perhaps one reason why the author does not make a major point out of the theme of divine judgment is because his purpose is to emphasize divine mercy, not only as God provided food for His people, but also in His providential provision of a family and a posterity for Naomi and Elimelech. From these events, we can easily see that the Moabites were no friend to Israel. Is God telling you to get out of Moab? 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. The next day, the other man refused to take Ruth, and she and Boaz were married. God had given Israel the land as a place of rest and blessing. I so love the story of Ruth and Naomi, and each time I read it, I learn something new and powerful. The more we read itthe more we learn. 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped trying to dissuade her. How wrong she was! He is slow to anger, and He does forgive sin. He promised blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Let us reflect on these contrasts for a moment. The reader is required to peel back these layers of irony so as to deepen his appreciation of God's grace and mercy to the needy. Second, this book points ahead to the New Testament days of the catholic or universal church, for Ruth is a Moabitess, a Gentile who is grafted into Israel. Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her Elimelech faces the same kind of choice that Abraham faced. How could Naomi encourage Ruth (and, by inference, Orpah) to return to their god(s), when doing so would condemn them eternally? If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.