So Far: A family with names – Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon and Chilion, set out from Bethlehem (House of Bread), where there was apparent famine, to Moab a place of abundance. In Moab, the two son’s take Moabite wives; named Orpah and Ruth. Sadly devastation trauma’s the family – not only does Elimelech die, but so do the two sons.
This leaves Naomi, Orpah and Ruth alone. The real problem of this torn family is: not the lack of bread but the right relationship with God. It is as if there now comes a choice of citizenship, which country are you with?
- Joseph was sowed in famine as a slave, was laid in irons, until the word was tested – Ps 105:16-19
- The same God can send famine and provision.
- They left God’s vast blessings of salvation (Bethlehem) for bondage of limited boundaries of temporary pleasure. (Moab).
- Moab gave a tears, heartache, sorrow, loss and 3 tomb’s.
- Ruth 1:14 “Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law but Ruth clung to her”.
- It was in Moab that Naomi heard of Bethlehem again – like the lost prodigal (Lk 15 – elder brother syndrome; whose relationship with the father was not “My God and my king”), lead Naomi like the church into slavery of the world. Elimelech preferred law and had a slave mentality, in the house but not of the house.
- All 3 women left Moab weeping.
Orpah’s Story:
- Her beginning was not everything .. she set out.
- 2Cor 7:10 Godly sorrow or wordly sorrow is tested.
- On the road from Moab, there are many Orpah’s shedding tears, yet deep down they are “still with their people”.
- She left the road of salvation for she chose the limited life of bondage instead of the unlimited life of eternity.
Ruth’s Story: 1:16-18
- “Don’t urge me to leave you or return from following you”
- she had had enough of false prophets and god’s.
- Had enough of following false paths of religion.
- “A new place to dwell – where you stay I will stay”.
- Not sentiment and tradition of denomination.
- “Your people shall be my people”
- Love of people follows redemption.
- “Your God shall be my God”.
- “Where you die will I die, and there I will be buried”.
- When you know how to die well – you know how to live well.
- Between the soul and the Savior it is a matter of pronouns: “MY Lord, MY Savior”.
In Ruth’s decision we can say: ‘when grace moves in a life of a person, they make a decision to change based on that revelation of grace – for life’.
Ruth was not quick in her reply – A time to speak and a time to be silent.
Next we will look at Naomi and how the city was stirred at her return.
I will be “on the road” for a month into 5 nations. So some reports will come up on the next blog. Keep watching!