why did elimelech and his family go to moab

The ultimate test is the Word of God and Naomis counsel, while it sometimes used Gods name, did not conform to Gods Word. var addy6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19 = 'spronk' + '@'; var addy_text79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c = 'Stated Clerk';document.getElementById('cloak79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c').innerHTML += ''+addy_text79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c+'<\/a>'; 2014 Protestant Reformed Churches in America. Ruth would not only do this until death separated them, she would do so in death. 2). 11 In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. Likewise, the foolish person who decides to live like this soon discovers the deadly character of such a decision. Then the progression of sin is complete. Ruth was the great grandmother of King David. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. during the time of the judges in Israel. 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. It was a bad start, and sadly things didnt get any better over time. I am so thankful that He gave you the confirmation you needed. Even professing Christians can fall victim to the tyranny of the urgent. Elimelech was Naomi's husband. Surely this poor fellow doesn't understand the covenant". In Judges 19-21, we find a similar situation. 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). document.getElementById('cloak4e942a4423f495800f38cd74f5bbd140').innerHTML = ''; R. Simon b. Yoai contends (ib.) It was my friend Dave Austin who reminded me of the danger of pragmatism from this text. Stay in Bethlehem: risk starving their bodies. 1In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. Both were related to Naomi in the same way. Anyone anywhere in the world with an Internet connection will be able to use and print out the NET Bible without cost for personal study. 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. var addy_text4e942a4423f495800f38cd74f5bbd140 = 'Classical Committee';document.getElementById('cloak4e942a4423f495800f38cd74f5bbd140').innerHTML += ''+addy_text4e942a4423f495800f38cd74f5bbd140+'<\/a>'; Where will he turn to find food for his family? In Esther, the people of God were supposed to return to the Promised Land, but they chose instead to dwell in the apparent peace and safety of Persia. Thank you, sister friend! Paul restates this law in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18: Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. WebHence, Elimelech decided to go to Moab anticipating that his sons might marry the daughters of Eglon. 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. And there is another difficult part of leaving Moab. 10 From what we learn from the Book of Ruth, one does wonder what role Naomi played in this decision. 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. While they were there, Naomis husband died, and her two sons married women from Moab, one of whom was named Ruth. Look with me at these words from Genesis 19, taking up just after the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and Lots escape, along with his daughters: 30 Lot went up from Zoar with his two daughters and settled in the mountains because he was afraid to live in Zoar. Now she had no husband and no children. WebWhy did Elimelech and his family go to Moab? May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us! 18When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more. This was a grievous sin, departing from the church of God and the communion of saints (Heidelberg Catechism, Q. With more than 2,000 such formations documented within its borders, Arches boasts the "densest concentration of natural stone arches in the world" and the "most famous natural stone arch in the world," according to the park. This was the place that was characterized as the place of famine for Israel; Moab was known for withholding bread from Israel. addya1ecccfd0b401858a2877dcb45f7be68 = addya1ecccfd0b401858a2877dcb45f7be68 + 'sbcglobal' + '.' + 'net'; 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. 10No, they said. But he was not aware that she had sexual relations with him and then got up. Even if she were able to bear children, it would be unreasonable for these two widows to wait 20 years for replacement husbands. No, in Naomis mind there was no good reason to remain with her as she returned to her homeland. If they were not faithful to this task, they would be tested even more severely and called back to faithfulness. Reformed Witness Hour Messages for May 2020, Corporate Responsibility and Ezekiel 18 . Fifth, what about remembering Gods day and keeping the fourth commandment in Moab? This also reminds us of the way of God's people in the book of Judges. When they turned away from God, He turned away from them. Though a widow, Naomistill had her two sons to provide for and protect her. Another crossroadsbut now the decision falls to Naomi to choose. From these events, we can easily see that the Moabites were no friend to Israel. Bearing children was to be done Gods way. 13Would you wait for them to grow up and refuse to marry someone else? Boaz informed her that there was another relative who, according to custom, had prerogative to redeem Elimelech's field and marry her. 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. Return to Bethlehem (Ruth 1) 1 During the time of the judges there was a famine in the land of Judah. For 2,000 years, millions of elect, believing Jews and Gentiles from around the world have become one body in Jesus Christ.Third, this book records remarkable instances of Gods providence. This seems to be designed to provoke some questions in the mind of the reader. A pointer to the fact that, in moving from Bethlehem to Moab, Elimelech did not truly take God and His Word into account? 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. It led to a hopeless fatalism: It doesnt really matter what I say or do; God is against me, and there is nothing I can do about it.. from Bethlehem of Judah. WebElimelech Why did Naomi decide to return from the country of Moab? var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; 12 The word new is not in the original text. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; Moabwas fun, it was easy, and it was making me feel good. What a marvelous woman of faith Ruth was. How wrong Naomi was. God had just destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of their great sin. 26 The way they acquired the 400 wives by wiping out Jabesh Gilead is no more noble. Named after a female character, Ruth could be described as a romantic book, for it begins with several tragedies and it contains a courtship (of a sort) which issues in a marriage (between Ruth and Boaz) and the birth of their son (Obed). elimelech died, leaving naomi and her daughters-in-law alone. ii. 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. 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. Famine in the land of promise can mean only one thing; God is testing with his people. Sin has a way of making progress in our lives even if we start in rather small ways. addy6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19 = addy6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19 + 'prca' + '.' + 'org'; (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. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. This would have been Other translations have another another husband. 15 So Naomi said, Look, your sister-in-law is returning to her people and to her god. 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). The next day, the other man refused to take Ruth, and she and Boaz were married. No wonder God forbade Moabites from entering the assembly to the tenth generation.7. Naomi was now left without a husband, without sons, and without grandchildren. So the woman was left all alone bereaved of her two children as well as her husband! I am so grateful for your encouragement! 15 They show that the work of the law is written in their hearts, as their conscience bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or else defend them, 16 on the day when God will judge the secrets of human hearts, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus (Romans 2:12-16, emphasis mine). But, given his subsequent actions, we have no problem understanding that his final decision was more closely connected with food than with faith. I so love the story of Ruth and Naomi, and each time I read it, I learn something new and powerful. He intended to leave the Promised Land briefly in a time of famine, but his sons decided to live in the foreign land. Amen (Romans 11:33-36). 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. As they entered Bethlehem, they became the talk of the town. She returned to Moab. Thus, the use of the word lagur can be explained as related to geirut conversion. 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. 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Then we find that such ways become comfortable, and so we stand or linger in them. While they were in Moab, Elimelech died, leaving Naomi and her two sons. He turned his back on them and He dried up the land. Did Billy Graham speak to Marilyn Monroe about Jesus? They no longer have their old or former husbands because they have died. But she concluded that God was using His power against her, rather than for her. NLT Teen Life Application Study Bible, Softcover, My First Hands-on Bible--soft leather-look, bold blue, NLT Thinline Reference Bible, Filament Enabled Edition--soft leather-look, rustic brown, NLT Spiritual Growth Bible--soft leather-look, cream floral, NLT Large-Print Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition--genuine leather, brown (indexed). lived and so they went to Moab where conditions were better and get var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; 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. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More. food. 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. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. This means that we can find redemptive theology or theological concepts not only taught explicitly, but also reinforced as the theology is embedded in the very structure of the text. Who thinks of Orpah today? 12No, my daughters, return to your parents homes, for I am too old to marry again. The incarnate Son of God redeems His elect people through His cross for He is our blood relative who makes us flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone spiritually. Thus, we cannot say with certainty that the story of Ruth occurs late in the period of the judges, though this seems likely. The sin of leaving Israel?Second, Ruth 1:1-5 is the only scene in the book in which the name of God is not mentioned. It was completed by more than twenty biblical scholars who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. 2 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible. Rather it points to the common problem of the progression of sins. This little family of four basically had two choices when they found themselvesat the crossroads: There they made a new home and seemedto do well (the Bible does not give us many details)until Elimelechdied. 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. 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. Do you recall what that method was? Ruth was born in Moab about B.C. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. In her second effort, Naomi insists that her daughters-in-law must not return with her because it would only cause them to endure some of her affliction (verse 13). When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by their arrival. Thus he trusts in this Ruth 1:2b. Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. Would he trust in God's promise to provide food for his family in the land or would he leave in fear? 1, iv. In the dark shadows of the days of the judges, we find two individuals whose lives are truly lights in the darkness. They would be a reminder that Elimelech and Naomi had left Bethlehem when the going got tough. If so, perhaps the minister can moralize a little on the problems and dangers of emigration. 3, 4). He says this because the Hebrew that Samuel uses to describe Elimelech's action is the word for "sojourning!" Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Leaving the people of God is leaving the God of His people. Follow your sister-in-law back home! (Ruth 1:15). Someone reminded me that the Book of Ruth is a lot like the Book of Esther. Its tough to do. This is entirely consistent with Old Testament history and with the warnings recorded in Leviticus 26:18-20 and Deuteronomy 28:23-24. Start for FREE. Naomi told her friend not to call her Naomi (which means pleasant) any longer, but rather to call her Mara (which means bitter). She would be buried where Naomi was buried. 1 In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, The present tense of the English Version seems to suggest that the sale is This is not surprising since these verses are found in the Bible, which is an unashamedly religious book on knowing and serving the one, true and living God, revealed in Jesus Christ. 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. They were of the clan of Ephrath from Bethlehem in Judah.) A Christian wife is having difficulties in her relationship with her husband, and she shares this with a Christian friend. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live as a resident foreigner in the 2On one level the rabbi is exactly correct. Naomis second effort13 will be less subtle and more pointed and forceful. They werent just turning their backs on their hometown of Bethlehem and its people: they were turning their backs on God. (Now they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.) We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. But here is where the similarity ends. Now I should stop to say that I firmly believe in the sovereignty of God, that God is in absolute control of everything that takes place on this earth. They insisted on going on to Israel with Naomi. Therefore all those who separate themselves from the same, or do not join themselves to it, act contrary to the ordinance of God.Rev. How does one today keep the Lords Day holy when he or she has no faithful church to attend? First, departing from Israel for Moab is to leave Gods land, the land He gave His people, the land in which Jehovah dwelt. This email address is being protected from spambots. The chapter begins, In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a man from Bethlehem in Judah left the country because of a severe famine. The term Ephrathites identifies the men with Ephrath. Elimelech chose to leave the land and to seek food from other fields. Obviously, Naomi had changed. 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. 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. Because her family died Why did Elimelech and his family go to Moab? 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. The only hope Naomi sees for Orpah and Ruth is the hope of finding a Moabite husband and bearing children. In her mind, this was the normal, the customary, way to produce offspring. Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way. WebElimelechs Family Goes to Moab. Thanks for sharing and God bless your ministry. WHEN YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF MOAB | At the Crossroads. It is a beautiful story of redemption and restoration. Who makes the plaid blue coat Jesse stone wears in Sea Change? I also think it is something for us to seriously ponder. 19 and Micah 5:2. We will return with you to your people., 11 But Naomi replied, Go back home, my daughters! Ruth is never dealt with as a second-class believer. Do you have pictures of Gracie Thompson from the movie Gracie's choice. This is the modern understanding of weather. Pat. There is really no evidence of faith (on Naomis part), either. Lot was turned to salt because she looked back at the city. If Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon, and Kilion suffered because of their sins, they deserved it. 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. What is wrong with reporter Susan Raff's arm on WFSB news. WHY DID ELIMELECH GO TO MOAB? Design by Social Village. Were Orpah and Ruth Israelites? As noted in the introduction, biblical narrative has redemptive or covenantal structure. 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. Instead you must completely overthrow them and smash their standing stones to pieces (Exodus 23:24). Because Moab was a place known for its refusal to feed Israel bread. Hence, should a sensitive reader become surprised to read now that the result of Elimelech's decision is death to his sons? They entered the region of Moab and settled there. The women of the village said, Can this be Naomi? 20 But she replied to them, Dont call me Naomi! Remember this, if ever you are tempted to leave the church, which is where the Lord dwells (I Tim. Moses reiterates to the people of God that they must not only remain in the land He gives them, but they must occupy this land in spite of dreadful obstacles. Who even remembers her name? So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel. The best thing for Orpah and Ruth to do was to return to their people and their gods, Naomi concluded. He lived in Bethlehem during the time of the judges. 3 I will bless those who bless you, but the one who treats you lightly I must curse, and all the families of the earth will bless one another by your name (Genesis 12:1-3, emphasis mine). Would Abraham believe that God would provide for him and protect his wife to whom God had given a promise of future blessings? 1 Shout for joy, O barren one who has not given birth! Ruth, a Moabitess, became Naomi's daughter-in-law. To this we shall return in our next article in theNews, DV. Somehow God wrote His law on Ruths heart, not unlike Tamar and Rahab, her predecessors. The Messianic seed was often put at risk in the Old Testament. She was not a Jew, and she had not been raised by parents who taught her the law. This email address is being protected from spambots. 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! The book also presents a kinsman redeemer (Boaz) who buys back or redeems his deceased relatives wife (Ruth). 28:23-24).Together these first three factors are, to say the least, suggestive (three deaths, no reference to God in this scene alone in Ruth, and the dark days of the judges); the next two arguments are more explicit and are based on the words of Naomi and Ruth.Naomi states that, in the death of her three menfolk, the hand of the Lord is gone out against me (Ruth 1:13) and the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me (20).

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