Eventually, Naomi steered Ruth into a relationship with a distant relative named Boaz. Elimelech was Naomi's husband. But when there was a famine in the land, they moved to the neighboring country of Moab. A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> , Akk. Dedicate an Article In her third attempt, she orders Ruth to follow her sister-in-law back home. But he was not aware that she had sexual relations with him and then got up. Naomi adds one final argument in favor of Orpah and Ruth returning home to Moab. And his little boys died too. No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend (Isaiah 55:8-11). JETHRO (Heb. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 1:1-5 Elimelech's care to provide for his family, was not to be blamed; but his removal into the country of Moab could not be justified. And the removal ended in the wasting of his family. She gave them very pragmatic counsel, based upon what could be seen, rather than on Gods Word and the principle of faith. I think I understand generally what Paul is saying here, based upon the promise in Jeremiah: 33 But I will make a new covenant with the whole nation of Israel after I plant them back in the land, says the Lord. So the woman was left all alone bereaved of her two children as well as her husband! 14 For those who speak in such a way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. , ), Phoenician port, N. of Tyre in Lebanon. We are not told how wide-spread it was, but we do know that it affected Bethlehem (which ironically means house of bread). 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. As the story of Esther unfolds, it looks as though every Jew is doomed to annihilation, but for the providence of God, whereby Gods enemies are destroyed and His people are spared. Perhaps he was not even fully aware of this failing but God was. Thankfully, she later confessed and returned to Israel. And one of these two Ruth is a Moabite, not an Israelite. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. Now it's ironic that he left Bethlehem because he was afraid he couldn't survive there, yet he went over into Moab and died anyway. The It was completed by more than twenty biblical scholars who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. There is no doubt that this is a great honor and privilege for a woman. 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Ruth rejected Naomis appeal to leave her and go back to Moab, choosing instead to believe and behave like a true Israelite. Naomi"fair or pleasant"; and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, are supposed to be the same as Joash and Saraph (1Ch 4:22). Ruth 4:9 . 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. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. Best Answer. Abraham put the seed at risk when he represented his wife Sarah as his sister, and she ended up (temporarily) in Pharaohs29 (and later Abimelechs)30 harem. He arose and fled from them (Ruth Rabbah 1, 4). Apparently he was willing to help only if he wears the mantly of authority. A famine plagued Israel in the days of the judges. And in good covenant form, she pronounced a curse upon herself if she did otherwise. We will return with you to your people., 11 But Naomi replied, Go back home, my daughters! It seems that they are pointing out a certain disconnect between the name and the behavior. For my intense suffering is too much for you to bear. If her daughters-in-law could snag a good (Moabite) husband, bear some children, and have a bountiful harvest they were indeed blessed, at least as Naomi viewed it. HADAD , an early Semitic god, first appears in texts written in the Old Akkadian dialect and in Eblaite (third millennium). Ruth 1:3 Commentaries: Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 1:1-5 Elimelech's care to provide for his family, was not to be blamed; but his removal into the country of Moab could not be justified. Many tears were shed, but in the end both women refused to leave Naomi and return to their mothers home. (Ruth 1:1-22)2. W. Moran, The Amarna Letters (1992), 326; W. Watson and N. Wyatt (eds. Such is not the case, my friend, and seeing her as some kind of heroine will distort our understanding of the message of this wonderful book. Submit your piece for review, and if approved we will publish it on our site as Community Contributions., Change Your Subscription That strongly suggests that she was still a Moabite at heart, still an idolater at heart. Apr. Those who place too much emphasis on marriage and child bearing should listen well to these words of Scripture: 6 He bends down to look at the sky and the earth. God loves to show mercy and compassion. 19 So the two of them journeyed together until they arrived in Bethlehem. No, my daughters, you must not return with me. Naomis third appeal is to Ruth alone, based on Orpahs decision to return home. Humans cannot see beyond these two alternatives but God has another choice. 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. How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! In Judges 19-21, we find a similar situation. 1 Copyright 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. Pay attention to do everything I have told you, and do not even mention the names of other gods do not let them be heard on your lips (Exodus 23:13). Wouldnt it be better for the two of them to travel together? They were both Moabite women, close to the same age. In this emergency, she was proposing an unconventional solution to their problem. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. But he was not aware that she had sexual relations with him and then got up. Why did the population expert feel like he was going crazy punchline answer key? Elimelech died, and the sons married two Moabite women: Mahlon married Ruth and Chilion married Orpah. 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. There we read of the Sodom-like immorality of some of the Benjamites in the city of Gibeah, which resulted in the near extinction of their tribe. Who would want a Moabite wife, especially a widow? The family lived in Bethlehem, a small city near Jerusalem. Without a doubt, this is the most amazing and distressing thing Naomi has said so far. Take note of the fact that Ruths covenant is not a short-term commitment; it is a lifetime commitment. How could any faithful Israelite encourage someone to return to their (false) god(s)? There do not appear to be many generations between Boaz and David, but biblical genealogies dont always include every genealogical link in such cases. The Hebrew term Elohim is plural, but some render it god here, and others gods. Chemosh appears to be the primary Moabite god, but there may well have been others. Mahlon chose a young woman named Ruth, but he also died shortly thereafter. (1) There is no clear link to a particular time, to a particular judge, or to a particular event recorded in the Book of Judges. See also: More about the Book of Ruth. The focus is usually on one person and not on the group. Part of the story about Naomi plays there, and another part in Bethlehem. And yet as the story of Ruth unfolded this time, it suddenly became obvious to me that Naomi was no role model. ELIMELECH (Heb. 36 In this way both of Lots daughters became pregnant by their father. May the Lord punish me severely if I do not keep my promise! Many years later, the Israelites were camped on the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from Jericho, poised to enter the Promised Land. 10 But they said to her, No! She then kissed both of them, a very clear signal of dismissal. I pray that you, like Ruth, have forsaken all confidence in yourself and have cast yourself upon the one true God for salvation. As they continue their journey toward Bethlehem, Naomi makes a three-fold attempt to persuade Orpah and Ruth to return to their homes, rather than to accompany her all the way back to Israel. 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. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. This news prompted her to return to her people and to her land. A godly Israelite would not only trust in the one true God, Yahweh, they would also know that there are no other gods. The ancestors, since they knew their genealogies, would derive names from events. Naomi heard that the famine in Judah had ended and food was now available in Bethlehem ( Ruth 1:6 ), so she determined to return. If our text tells us anything about God, it is that His ways are not our ways. Naomi returned to her homeland accompanied by her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth. Such people are in misery, and honestly, they make those around them miserable as well. (4) While the author does not make a point of it, it seems reasonable to assume that the famine (as well as the deaths of Elimelech and his two sons) was a manifestation of divine discipline. Finally, the description of Elimelech departure is frugal and bereft of detail. Cholim Prayers for Those in Need, Make a Donation SIDON (also Zidon ; Heb. At the very times when outward appearances look to us as though God is against us, God is at work behind the scenes for us. ; Akkad. Encyclopedia.com. named after him.) 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. The Path of Despair and the Path of Return. The second clue that this name is meant to be interpreted is how the verse presents it. In fact, my study for this sermon has caused me to think of Naomi in even less flattering terms. She had to leave her family, her homeland, and her gods and go to the place of Gods blessing. Ill attempt to support my conclusions as we proceed in our study of this book. But Ruth refuses to abandon Naomi and clings to her tightly. God is always at his work. What a relief it is to leave Judges behind and come to the Book of Ruth! 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your children will conquer nations and will resettle desolate cities (Isaiah 54:1-3). What a difference it makes to believe in a God who is in absolute control and who is also merciful and gracious, causing all things to work together for our good and for His glory, if we believe in Him. Text Copyright They insisted on going on to Israel with Naomi. What could have led them to this interpretation? Because he abandoned his people during a famine. 16 But as it is, they aspire to a better land, that is, a heavenly one. (6) Most (if not all) of Naomis actions, attitudes, and advice were misguided and downright wrong. It purposefully draws our attention to it, for it first tells us that a man went out and then tells us that the name of the man was Elimelech. But she concluded that God was using His power against her, rather than for her. 22 Feb. 2023 . And so this older daughter persuaded her younger sister that both of them needed to get their father drunk, and then each should lie with him, so that they might produce offspring for their father. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. We, who are not certain of our genealogies, derive names from our forefathers. There is no reason for you to return to Judah with me! Like a faithful shepherd whose corral- fence fell as darkness approached. Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). WebThe Bible Exposition Commentary: The meaning of redemption. In our text, Naomis conversation with her daughters-in-law is couched in language that gives the appearance that she is encouraging them to return to their families and their land because this would be in their best interest. In our text (as in Judges and everywhere else in Scripture), man looks bad, very bad, and God looks good, very good. 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. He came alongside Eve as her friend, as someone who was doing her a favor. Who would carry on his line? It must have been on Naomis watch that these two sons married their Moabite wives Orpah and Ruth. 25 Translations differ here, but I think that this daughters choice of words is very important to consider. Who would want Naomi for a mother-in-law? Orpah succumbed to Naomis reasoning and chose to pursue what appeared to be in her best interest. The contrast between Ruth and Orpah. Naomi counseled Orpah and Ruth to do what seemed right in their eyes. First, she insisted that Naomi must cease urging her to turn back. A Jew who knows the law and doesnt live by it is not really a true Jew. There may have been others who traveled to Moab with Elimelech and his family, but the author does not make a point of telling this to his readers. RACHEL (Heb. She views God as harsh and uncaring, doling out affliction and trouble in a way that is completely unrelated to her attitudes and actions. In the midst of her affliction and hopeless despair, God is at work preparing for the gracious things He is about to reveal to her and to the reader. Having started off on a rather negative note, let me hasten to say that the Book of Ruth is a breath of fresh air for those of us who have just come from the Book of Judges. Naomi did not doubt the existence of God nor did she doubt His power. (3) One gets the impression that those who remained in Bethlehem fared reasonably well during the famine; certainly better than Naomi and her family did. We must be aware that they taught in riddles and parables (Proverbs 1, 2) and that our task is extract and restate their message in the conceptual language that we use today. 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. This is the edited manuscript of Lesson 1 in the series, Ruth: A Story of Redemption, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh on January 10, 2010. She does not acknowledge sin on her part (and Elimelechs), and she does not seek to repent. Even professing Christians can fall victim to the tyranny of the urgent. In Judges 3, we read that the Israelites were subject to Eglon, king of Moab, for 18 years.8 Since the Moabites were not Canaanites, marriage to a Moabite was not strictly forbidden.9 Nevertheless, Moabites were not only regarded as aliens or foreigners, but also as second class citizens. Marriage to a Moabite was not something one did to gain status in Israel. How wrong she was! Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them (Hebrews 11:13-16). 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. You must not bow down to their gods; you must not serve them or do according to their practices. The all-powerful God was making Naomis life miserable, so she thought and said. To pursue what appeared to be called their God, but he also died shortly thereafter Israelite encourage to. 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