So a man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live as a resident foreigner in the region of Moab, along with ; Akkad. They did not seem to live by it, so why would they consider it important to teach it to a Moabite? Naomis hope was in the physical rather than in the spiritual, in the present rather than in eternity. Naomi heard that the famine in Judah had ended and food was now available in Bethlehem ( Ruth 1:6 ), so she determined to return. Surely it fell short of what Ruths experience will be. 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. How wrong Naomi was. I would be very reluctant to conclude that Ruths husband or his parents taught her the law. (Ruth 1:1-22)2. As I was studying our text for this message, it occurred to me that the text which describes the origin of the Moabites in Genesis 19 is a key to understanding the story of Ruth, and especially Naomis role in this account. Probably they were sickly children, and not likely to be long-lived. No wonder they didnt have a great reputation. This suggests that the Narrator was not happy with him, for when God approves of a journey, it, the participants, their families, and even their livestock are described in loving detail (See Ezra 2, 66-67, after commentary Nachalat Yosef). 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. Create a Memorial 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. WebElimelech was a member of the tribe of Judah, a native of Bethlehem Judah, a man of wealth and probably head of a family or clan ( Ruth 1:2,3; 2:1,3 ). A Jew who knows the law and doesnt live by it is not really a true Jew. (6) Most (if not all) of Naomis actions, attitudes, and advice were misguided and downright wrong. There is no doubt that this is a great honor and privilege for a woman. He arose and fled from them (Ruth Rabbah 1, 4). Apparently he was willing to help only if he wears the mantly of authority. Naomi counseled Orpah and Ruth to do what seemed right in their eyes. It says in verse three that Elimelech died in Moab. 14 Again they wept loudly. Both the Benjamites sin and their judgment are similar to what happened in Genesis 19. (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. This was a violation of the Mosaic law (De 7:3; 23:3; Ezr 9:2; Ne 13:23); and Jewish writers say that the early deaths of both the young men were divine judgments inflicted on them for those unlawful connections. Ezekiel (10, 3) castigates the leaders of Israel as being foxes in the ruins. And they continued to live there about ten years. If Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon, and Kilion suffered because of their sins, they deserved it. That strongly suggests that she was still a Moabite at heart, still an idolater at heart. It took two attempts to convince Orpah to turn back and three attempts to convince Naomi that her efforts to turn Ruth away were futile. Then she firmly stated her commitment to Naomi, to Israel, and to Israels God as a covenant. Now it is true that Machlon, Kilyon, and Elimelech pass quickly from the scene and Orpah follows them soon thereafter. We should first note that Naomis words here are prompted by Orpahs decision to return home. HADAD , an early Semitic god, first appears in texts written in the Old Akkadian dialect and in Eblaite (third millennium). Naomi felt that God was against her, and every indication is that she felt God had dealt with her in a harsh and severe way. If Naomi had other sons, she could give them to these women in Levirate marriage, but she has no other sons. Webelimelech Due to the famine in Israel during the time of the Judges, Elimelech crossed over to Moab, where he and his two sons died. Text Copyright Elimelech was one of the great men and authorities in Israel. ELIMELECH (Heb. than the children of the married woman, says the Lord. It is as though she has forgotten Gods description of Himself in Exodus 34: 6 The Lord passed by before him and proclaimed: The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness, 7 keeping loyal love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. You can't run away. 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. The women of the village said, Can this be Naomi? 20 But she replied to them, Dont call me Naomi! <>>> ), Handbook of Ugaritic Studies (1999), index, 841. In the past, Naomi was always portrayed in a somewhat flattering way. It provides us with a look at the life of the common person in Israel I am no longer capable of giving birth to sons who might become your husbands! 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. For example: And he called his name Noach, meaning to say, This one will give us comfort (e-noach-meinu) (Genesis 5, 29). And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. The danger of practicing pragmatism above principle. They need new or different husbands to marry and to bear children. . It must have been on Naomis watch that these two sons married their Moabite wives Orpah and Ruth. Who would want Naomi for a mother-in-law? Can one, on the other hand, forgive and excuse his deficiencies and the damage that they bring about? I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts and minds. It is not only Ruth and Naomi who benefit from Gods work in the Book of Ruth, for everyone who has been saved by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ has been saved by the offspring of Ruth and Boaz. Ruth and Orpah did not bear Jewish children, too. He lived during the period of the Judges, had a hereditary possession near Bethlehem, and is chiefly known as the husband of Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ru and ancestress of David the king. Somehow God wrote His law on Ruths heart, not unlike Tamar and Rahab, her predecessors. The suffering of His people, whether for sins they have committed or for living righteously, is but the prelude to His glorious salvation. Apr. Major Gift. Instead, it was God who demonstrated His sovereignty by bringing about the chain of events that culminated in the establishment of monarchy in Israel. A wolf approached and he fought the wolf. 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. This news prompted her to return to her people and to her land. Who even remembers her name? as Ili-Milku, a variant of the name Milk-ilu, ruler of Gezer. Much more common is the pattern in which a single character is introduced, his fathers and forefathers are fully described, and his story then related. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. After the death of their father, the two sons married Moabite women. The security in the home of a new husband referred to earlier is now spelled out in plainer terms. But he by no means leaves the guilty unpunished, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children and childrens children, to the third and fourth generation (Exodus 34:6-7, emphasis mine). Elimelech died, and the sons married two Moabite women: Mahlon married Ruth and Chilion married Orpah. And both (at least initially) were committed to staying with Naomi, even if that meant immigrating to Israel. The name of Achimelech, the priest who gave aid to David at Nob, reflects his elevated stature (Leviticus Rabbah 1,3) and Malchizedek was the King of Salem (Malkiel in Numbers 25, 24 deserves a separate discussion). Naomi adds one final argument in favor of Orpah and Ruth returning home to Moab. 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. How could any faithful Israelite encourage someone to return to their (false) god(s)? Both were traveling with Naomi as she made her way toward Israel. Naomis people (Israel) would be her people, and Naomis God would be her God. We read of the origin of the Moabites in Genesis 19,3 just after the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. Dedicate an Article Other translations have another another husband. The men in the family die, leaving Naomi alone with her two daughters-in- law, Ruth and Orpah. Web- And Elimelech Naomi's husband died. 2 These women invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; then the people ate and bowed down to their gods. Obviously, Naomi had changed. Elimelech was severely punished for his failings but the good within him was preserved and rewarded and he became the progenitor of the Royal line. Stated in the words of the author of Judges, every man (and woman) was doing what was right in their own eyes. Here is a woman who is not walking by faith, but by sight, who is not living according to the law, but in disregard for it. Sixth, Elimelechs family left God. A godly Israelite would not only trust in the one true God, Yahweh, they would also know that there are no other gods. Take note of the fact that Ruths covenant is not a short-term commitment; it is a lifetime commitment. Ruth focused on Naomi and her need and on Naomis people and their God. You, leaders, did not stand among the ruins like Moses did. 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). Is this the behavior of a leader who loves and cares for his people, even if they do not fully deserve his respect? Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit. No, my daughters, you must not return with me. The book of Ruth opens with a presentation of several characters. She would be buried where Naomi was buried. Be careful not to jump to conclusions. Id like to deal with our text by calling your attention to the contrasts the author has highlighted in the first chapter of Ruth. What a relief it is to leave Judges behind and come to the Book of Ruth! Wouldnt it be better for the two of them to travel together? Naomi"fair or pleasant"; and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, are supposed to be the same as Joash and Saraph (1Ch 4:22). Just being Jewish and knowing the Law of Moses isnt enough; one must also live by the law. 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. Jethro had seven daughters who served as his shepherdesses. 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. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. 3 0 obj Both were related to Naomi in the same way. ." Such early setting out of the players is quite unusual in Biblical writing. She does not acknowledge sin on her part (and Elimelechs), and she does not seek to repent. iddunnu) comes from the root , Hadad 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 name (Phoen. , ' eylam; Elamite halhatamti; Akk. 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. We should note several things about Naomis third attempt to persuade Ruth to join Orpah as she returned to Moab in verse 15. %PDF-1.5 Text Copyright 2005 by Rabbi Dr. Meir Levin and Torah.org. It would also seem that Naomis barrenness was divinely imposed.18, (5) Moab was not the place of Gods promised blessings; Israel was.19. In short, Naomi is a picture of Israels spiritual condition at this point in their history. Bearing children was to be done Gods way. Lot and his two daughters are now living in a cave. (7) Naomi does appear to have one thing right humanly speaking, Naomis chances of perpetuating her husbands line are between slim and none. Though a widow, Naomi still had her two sons to provide for and protect her. In Job and in Ruth, this term seems to underscore Gods power, but in the context of suffering and adversity. God sees things not as we see them. 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. 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. The contrast between Ruth and Orpah. 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. They were of the clan of Ephrath from Bethlehem in Judah.) Why do you call me Naomi, seeing that the Lord has opposed me, and the Sovereign One has caused me to suffer? 22 So Naomi returned, accompanied by her Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth, who came back with her from the region of Moab. There Ruth married *Boaz, one of Elimelech's relatives. 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. (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. 16 But as it is, they aspire to a better land, that is, a heavenly one. Orpah succumbed to Naomis reasoning and chose to pursue what appeared to be in her best interest. 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. He is the ancestor of the Ammonites of today (Genesis 19:30-38, emphasis mine). She has been convinced and turns back to her own country. How did Elimelech know that strict justice was (loose) in the world? Thus, we cannot say with certainty that the story of Ruth occurs late in the period of the judges, though this seems likely. And in good covenant form, she pronounced a curse upon herself if she did otherwise. It was my friend Dave Austin who reminded me of the danger of pragmatism from this text. 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). 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). In this emergency, she was proposing an unconventional solution to their problem. When it sees people coming, it immediately runs away. 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. Naomi thought of Gods blessings in terms of having food and a family. She was full when she had a husband and two sons; now she was empty, for all she had was Ruth. 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. 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. The final chapters of the Book of Judges are certainly the worst of times, and yet the Book of Ruth describes the best of times. This suggests to me that godly character is not only evident in the good times, but even more dramatically in the bad times. 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. There is a paucity of clues but the first one is the Elimelechs name itself. It had been at least ten years since Naomi and her family had left them. This is completely secular thinking. 36 In this way both of Lots daughters became pregnant by their father. 10 From what we learn from the Book of Ruth, one does wonder what role Naomi played in this decision. 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. Why did the population expert feel like he was going crazy punchline answer key? 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