why did elimelech and his family go to moab why did elimelech and his family go to moab

4 So her sons married Moabite women. 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). The Moabites had resorted to more than one way to curse and to destroy the Israelites. It would also seem that Naomis barrenness was divinely imposed.18, (5) Moab was not the place of Gods promised blessings; Israel was.19. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to A Bethlehem forsaken for Moab - STEM Publishing Naomi saw singleness (widowhood for her) and childlessness as a curse, while Paul taught that singleness could facilitate ministry to others and to God (1 Corinthians 7:32-35). Quora - A place to share knowledge and better understand the world 2 Then I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great, so that you will exemplify divine blessing. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; WebYet when this famine arises, he leaves to go to Moab with his family. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. But leaving is hard sometimes, isnt it? 22So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. 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. 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). Elimelech exhibits an almost crazy decision when he left Bethlehem, the house of bread, and sought bread from Moab. There is so much more to this story than merely the people in it this story is the story of the gospel. Chilion, the only remaining son, also expired (5).Of the four who had left Bethlehem, only Naomi remained. They no longer have their old or former husbands because they have died. This also reminds us of the way of God's people in the book of Judges. We cry out in frustration and desperation, "Who will free the people of God from this vicious cycle of failure and death? 3 When Israel joined themselves to Baal-peor, the anger of the LORD flared up against Israel. He did not seek repentance, nor did he stay to witness the recovery of the land. There were no men nearby to marry, she reasoned, so there was no conventional way25 for them to bear children and thus to preserve their fathers line. 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. Where did Elimelech die? One may rightly ask why we would criticize this poor fellow for trying to get his family some food. Her commitment is not just to Naomi; it is a lifetime commitment to Israel and to her God. If Naomi had other sons, she could give them to these women in Levirate marriage, but she has no other sons. WebWhich was our brother Elimelechs He calls him their brother, because he was near of kin to them. Or, Ruth was Naomi's daughter in 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. Thus, there was something covenantal about this famine. Its tough to do. PRC-Related: RFPA, Standard Bearer, Reformed Witness Hour, Etc. Shouldnt Ruth follow her lead? A pointer to the fact that, in moving from Bethlehem to Moab, Elimelech did not truly take God and His Word into account? Fearing they would be overrun by the Israelites, Balak (king of Moab)4 hired Balaam to curse Israel. (6) Most (if not all) of Naomis actions, attitudes, and advice were misguided and downright wrong. Ruths spiritual journey is similar to that of Abraham. document.getElementById('cloak6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19').innerHTML = ''; addy79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c = addy79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c + 'gmail' + '.' + 'com'; But wait, it gets even better! The subject was the Book of Ruth. These choices are also related to the covenant and to the unfolding theme of our story. The first chapter of Ruth is very important because our appraisal of Ruth, Naomi, and (soon) Boaz in the first chapters of Ruth will greatly shape our understanding of the rest of the book. Then Elimelech, Naomis husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. 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. What time does normal church end on Sunday? To do it any other way was to disobey God. First, departing from Israel for Moab is to leave Gods land, the land He gave His people, the land in which Jehovah dwelt. I am now inclined to believe that Ruth is an example of Romans 2:12-16. He says "a certain man" of Bethlehem went to sojourn away from the land. Moab. When they turned away from God, He turned away from them. WebScarcity of food compelled him to emigrate with his family to Moab, where he died, and where one of his sons married Ruth ( ib. To him be glory forever! 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. The word does mean something, but not exactly what the rabbi thinks. Design by Social Village. When we met, I had no idea who he was, but he introduced himself something like this, Hi, Bob, Im Nate Mirza. Both had married Israelite husbands, had borne no children, and were now widows. This was the land in which God had already killed the men of Israel for the very same action. Learn more about our. Your Moab. WebElimelechs Family Goes to Moab. The suffering of His people, whether for sins they have committed or for living righteously, is but the prelude to His glorious salvation. Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. 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). Remember this, if ever you are tempted to leave the church, which is where the Lord dwells (I Tim. Ruth 1:2b. 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. 4The two sons married Moabite women. 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. They came empty (at least according to Naomis assessment see verse 21), but God would not let them go hungry (or childless). Oh My! The son of the oldest daughter was named Moab; the son of the younger daughter was named Ammon. 91a), Elimelech, Salmon (the father of Boaz), Peloni-Almoni, and the father of Naomi were the sons of Nahshon ben Aminadab. This is the modern understanding of weather. Naomi is not at all like Ruth or Boaz; she is, in fact, a backdrop against which Ruth and Boaz are contrasted. Who would carry on his line? 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. They werent just turning their backs on their hometown of Bethlehem and its people: they were turning their backs on God. It had been at least ten years since Naomi and her family had left them. However, when that did not work, they turned to a different method. When they entered Bethlehem, the whole village was excited about their arrival. In Leviticus 26 we read. For the connection between Ephrath and Bethlehem, see Gen. xxxv. 31 Later the older daughter said to the younger, Our father is old, and there is no man anywhere nearby to have sexual relations with us, according to the way of all the world. My passion is helping women connect Faith + Life in authentic and meaningful ways. [] Source: WHEN YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF MOAB [], Your email address will not be published. What a delight it becomes to experience the layers of irony unfolding into a beautiful story that breathes with love, life, and hope. There is something particularly encouraging about our text. No, my daughters, you must not return with me. No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend (Isaiah 55:8-11). Surely it fell short of what Ruths experience will be. Jacob & Esau Pharez & Zarah 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 is available on the Internet at: www.netbible.org. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; WebWhy did Elimelech and his family go to Moab? Some are so focused on courtship and romance in Ruth that they overlook its instruction on joining, staying in and never leaving Gods church. The closing chapters of the Book of Judges contain some of the most gruesome accounts in all of the Bible homosexual Benjamites want to rape a guest in their city; a woman is brutally gang raped by these same men; her husband seems more than willing to sacrifice her to save his life, and then he chops her dead body into twelve pieces which he delivers to every part of Israel. Neither does she mention the mistreatment they would likely receive because Moab is Israels enemy, but they could probably read between the lines. His sons, on the other hand, decide to stay or to dwell in Moab. The famine in Ruth 1:1 was itself a judgment of God upon Israel for its sins (Deut. WebElimelech, one of the notables of Judah, came to Moab, where he hoped to find food and an easier life. This is completely secular thinking. If our text tells us anything about God, it is that His ways are not our ways. Moab was a pagan land that worshipped many false gods and practiced human sacrifices. Not even death would separate them. I would be very reluctant to conclude that Ruths husband or his parents taught her the law. We will return with you to your people., 11 But Naomi replied, Go back home, my daughters! Ruth, a Moabitess, became Naomi's daughter-in-law. 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. For you are the temple of the living God. Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live as a resident foreigner in the Today, people move all the time for jobs, family, location, schools, etc. Naomis people (Israel) would be her people, and Naomis God would be her God. has Naomi sold. 10No, they said. Who would want Naomi for a mother-in-law? var addy_text4e942a4423f495800f38cd74f5bbd140 = 'Classical Committee';document.getElementById('cloak4e942a4423f495800f38cd74f5bbd140').innerHTML += ''+addy_text4e942a4423f495800f38cd74f5bbd140+'<\/a>'; Ruth opens with some dramatic flair, which heightens the irony. You may not even notice this at first, but the very first man in the story remains unnamed. 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. food. Samuel uses irony as his most powerful literary tool. 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. Moab was a place of cursing for the people of God. And it happened or came to pass when the judges judged "famine" was in the land. This means, says the rabbi, that Elimelech was only on a temporary journey. Conversely, one who is not a Jew and isnt instructed by the Law may have the law written on his (her) heart, and thus do the things the law requires. Then grief befell them in Moab! 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. We, too, live in very pragmatic times, and those who live by principle especially the principles of Gods Word are few and far between. Ruth 4:3 Commentaries: Then he said to the closest His intent was that once his sons would gain their consent, he would go back with his family to Bethlehem and have them converted. She was married first to He can respond out of a sense of fear and desire for food or out of a sense of faith. I was bereaved and barren, dismissed and divorced. WebAnalyzes how ruth opens with a man leaving bethlehem of judah, along with his wife and two sons, for the land of moab during the time of the judges. 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 also true (as God Himself says above) that God also punishes the guilty, but that is not the totality of who God is. Ill attempt to support my conclusions as we proceed in our study of this book. Moabs hostility and opposition to Israel continued on into the period of the Judges. 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. Keep Shining for Jesus Friend. 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. The author uses the literary setting to highlight for us that matters for this man are about to go from bad to worse. 3Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. Could it be that this is a pointer? 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. Subscribe today for access to my Free Faith Resource Library! Naomis third appeal is to Ruth alone, based on Orpahs decision to return home. 1, iv. As the story opens, we encounter a man who takes his family to Moab because there is a famine in Bethlehem of Judah. It may be. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. Even the structure of the Hebrew in our story is similar to that of Abraham's story. RecentlyI spoke on MEETING AT THE CROSSROADS and used the story of Ruth and Naomi to talk about what it takes to connect withothers and walk in the right direction. 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). I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.'. (Now they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.) He was not a faithful husband. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband. Each of you should return to your mothers home! Both were traveling with Naomi as she made her way toward Israel. The present tense of the English Version seems to suggest that the sale is Ruth 1-2 Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 3), he was The New Covenant promises that God will write the law on the hearts of those He has chosen for salvation, whether Jew or Gentile. In moving to Moab, Naomi left the Lord to some extent and for some years. Then she firmly stated her commitment to Naomi, to Israel, and to Israels God as a covenant. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; All scripture [including the first five verses of Ruth] is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in0 righteousness (II Tim. In Job and in Ruth, this term seems to underscore Gods power, but in the context of suffering and adversity. She was full when she had a husband and two sons; now she was empty, for all she had was Ruth. But what she fails to see is that God is only increasing her problems to the level of human impossibility, so that He can demonstrate His power and grace through her weakness. Why did you say, 'She is my sister'? 20Dont call me Naomi, she responded. 20 Yet the children born during your time of bereavement will say within your hearing. Other translations have another another husband. I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? (21). (7) Naomi does appear to have one thing right humanly speaking, Naomis chances of perpetuating her husbands line are between slim and none. Surely this poor fellow doesn't understand the covenant". As they entered Bethlehem, they became the talk of the town. The scene requires Elimelech to make choices about his family's future. And then, within 10 years, both Naomis sons died. You will note from the first verse of chapter 1 that the setting for the story of Ruth is the times of the judges. 9. 3, 4). addya1ecccfd0b401858a2877dcb45f7be68 = addya1ecccfd0b401858a2877dcb45f7be68 + 'sbcglobal' + '.' + 'net'; the portion of land, which belonged to our brother Elimelech. Elimelech chose to leave the land and to seek food from other fields. 17 See Ruth 4:17, 21-22. This takes risk, obedience, and movement in a totally different direction. We can almost hear him telling himself and his family, "Look, I know that we shouldn't be doing this, but we will only stay until the famine has ceased!'. That is to say, the setting has redemptive or covenantal significance. Ruth would have none of this foolish talk, and she made this abundantly clear to her mother-in-law. Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Rather, the portion of land, which belonged to our brother Elimelech. What are the qualities of an accurate map? What is this you have done to me? var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; If God has it in for Naomi, what woman in her right mind would want to be closely associated with her? 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. Angus Stewart, Pastorates: Covenant Protestant Reformed Church of Ballymena, Northern Ireland - 2001. It was completed by more than twenty biblical scholars who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. There is a vital spiritual lesson to be gleaned from Ruth 1:1-5 (we covered its history in the last issue of the News). 6Then Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again. Why shouldn't he leave the land to find food? The law had made this clear to God's people using the illustration of yoking of a donkey with an ox. Wow, Pat! You need JavaScript enabled to view it. But he was not aware that she had sexual relations with him and then got up. addya1ecccfd0b401858a2877dcb45f7be68 = addya1ecccfd0b401858a2877dcb45f7be68 + 'sbcglobal' + '.' + 'net'; How do you know when to leave and when to stay? You need JavaScript enabled to view it. So the woman was left all alone bereaved of her two children as well as her husband! You need JavaScript enabled to view it. It must have been on Naomis watch that these two sons married their Moabite wives Orpah and Ruth. 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). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Scarcity of food compelled him to emigrate with his family to Moab, where he died, and where one of his sons married Ruth (ib. Ruth 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. helen phillips obituary; demarini nautalai 2022; can vanishing twin be misdiagnosed at 7 weeks; coates 11kw pool heater. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More. They entered the region of Moab and settled there. Naomi, so to speak, put all of her eggs into one basket marriage and bearing children. We should note several things about Naomis third attempt to persuade Ruth to join Orpah as she returned to Moab in verse 15. It would do us well to review where the Moabites came from and how they related to Israel in the past. Naomi did not doubt the existence of God nor did she doubt His power. var addy_text79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c = 'Stated Clerk';document.getElementById('cloak79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c').innerHTML += ''+addy_text79beab5da96ef5c7e556d8524343f19c+'<\/a>'; 2014 Protestant Reformed Churches in America. 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. A Jew who knows the law and doesnt live by it is not really a true Jew. Ruth - Bible Quizzes and Puzzles Ruth rejected Naomis appeal to leave her and go back to Moab, choosing instead to believe and behave like a true Israelite. var addy_text6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19 = 'Stated Clerk';document.getElementById('cloak6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19').innerHTML += ''+addy_text6abc068fa8d6d6e3ed55f5c6ed881e19+'<\/a>'; Classis WestThis email address is being protected from spambots. 3:16).Ruth 1 itself indicates the spiritual significance of its first five verses. The faithful believer was never to be "unequally yoked together". And when they reached Moab, they settled there.