And when both her sons died without bearing children, her situation seemed impossible. Mahlon chose a young woman named Ruth, but he also died shortly thereafter. 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. Naomi returned to her homeland accompanied by her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth. where did these children come from? (Isaiah 49:20-21). 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. Web1 During the time of the judges there was a famine in the land of Judah. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. It provides us with a look at the life of the common person in Israel 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). Both had married Israelite husbands, had borne no children, and were now widows. These are the times of darkness when godliness should shine forth as a brilliant light. <> We find Ruth contrasted with Orpah, and then with Naomi. Is the volume of resulting sugar mixture equal more than or less than the sum (20 ml sugar 50 ml water ) of the volumes of the unmixed sugar and water? 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). (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. In our text (as in Judges and everywhere else in Scripture), man looks bad, very bad, and God looks good, very good. Her commitment is not just to Naomi; it is a lifetime commitment to Israel and to her God. Who would want a Moabite wife, especially a widow? Yet, they throw a shadow over the entire story. We will return with you to your people., 11 But Naomi replied, Go back home, my daughters! Now it is true that Machlon, Kilyon, and Elimelech pass quickly from the scene and Orpah follows them soon thereafter. And yet as the story of Ruth unfolded this time, it suddenly became obvious to me that Naomi was no role model. 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. 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 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. But he was not aware that she had sexual relations with him and then got up. as Ili-Milku, a variant of the name Milk-ilu, ruler of Gezer. 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. Copy. Jethro had seven daughters who served as his shepherdesses. Word had reached Naomi in Moab that God had visited His people by ending the famine and providing abundant crops back in Israel. He is the ancestor of the Moabites of today. named after him.) We, too, live in very pragmatic times, and those who live by principle especially the principles of Gods Word are few and far between. Mahlon married Ruth in Moab while Kilion married Ruth's sister Orpah. Ordinarily it would be translated as, My God is King. Naomi was preoccupied with the here and now, rather than trusting in Gods covenant promises by faith. Naomi and her sons lived in Moab for ten years and then both Mahlon and Kilion died as well, childless. For the Lord is afflicting me!. 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. But when she urged Ruth to return to her pagan god(s), that was the worst unkindness of all. Thus, we cannot say with certainty that the story of Ruth occurs late in the period of the judges, though this seems likely. Ruths spiritual journey is similar to that of Abraham. We are not told how wide-spread it was, but we do know that it affected Bethlehem (which ironically means house of bread). 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. 1When Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to commit sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab. Naomi doesnt mention that these women would likely not find an Israelite husband. 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. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. 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. How did Elimelech know that strict justice was (loose) in the world? 1 0 obj The book of Ruth opens with a presentation of several characters. The best thing for her to do was to return to Bethlehem and live out the rest of her days, dying empty (i.e., childless). Sixth, Elimelechs family left God. What are the advantages and disadvantages of video capture hardware? . A godly Israelite would not only trust in the one true God, Yahweh, they would also know that there are no other gods. If Naomi had other sons, she could give them to these women in Levirate marriage, but she has no other sons. He stood and surrounded it with rebuilt walls from three directions. No wonder Naomi finally ceased trying to convince her to turn back (verse 18). 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. WebElimelech and his sons all died in Moab, leaving Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah widowed. in 1971. Apr. We know of Abimelech, son of the leader Gideon and Abimelech, the King of Gerar. 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. The contrast between Ruth and Naomi. 4 The LORD said to Moses, Arrest all the leaders of the people, and hang them up before the LORD in broad daylight, so that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. 5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, Each of you must execute those of his men who were joined to Baal-peor (Numbers 25:1-5). 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. The best thing for Orpah and Ruth to do was to return to their people and their gods, Naomi concluded. The name (Phoen. It is available on the Internet at: www.netbible.org. She has been convinced and turns back to her own country. Naomis second effort13 will be less subtle and more pointed and forceful. Encyclopedia.com. In short, Naomi is a picture of Israels spiritual condition at this point in their history. No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend (Isaiah 55:8-11). Elimelech was Naomi's husband. Dagon She has chosen to permanently leave her homeland and family and to embrace Israel, the Israelites, and Israels God as her own, forever. Lot fled with his daughters and was living in a cave. Is this the behavior of a leader who loves and cares for his people, even if they do not fully deserve his respect? How could any faithful Israelite encourage someone to return to their (false) god(s)? She would go where Naomi went and live where she lived. Which is greater 36 yards 2 feet and 114 feet 2 inch? They need new or different husbands to marry and to bear children. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. Lot and his two daughters are now living in a cave. It is not Naomis belief in the sovereignty of God that troubles me as much as how she applies it. 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. Beth-lehem-judahso called to distinguish it from a town of the same name in Zebulun. Ruth focused on Naomi and her need and on Naomis people and their God. Some years ago I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely Christian in a hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia. Elimelech was Naomi's husband. I remember responding to Nate, Neither do the rest of us. Well, if this is true of us, it is certainly true of the Moabites. Bildungswesen. 6 So she decided to return home from the region of Moab, accompanied by her daughters-in-law, because while she was living in Moab she had heard that the Lord had shown concern for his people, reversing the famine by providing abundant crops. 20 Yet the children born during your time of bereavement will say within your hearing. 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. 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. 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. WebThen Naomi's husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons, Ruth 1:5 both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and without her husband. 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. Naomi counseled Orpah and Ruth to do what seemed right in their eyes. How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! I would be very reluctant to conclude that Ruths husband or his parents taught her the law. Create a Memorial 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 ). What are the disadvantages of shielding a thermometer? We, who are not certain of our genealogies, derive names from our forefathers. The younger daughter then did likewise and bore a son named Ammon. In moving to Moab, Naomi left the Lord to some extent and for some years. WebBecause of a severe famine in Judea, he emigrated to the land of Moab with his wife and his sons, Mahlon and Chilion. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! Elimelech Weisblum of Lizhensk (1717March 11, 1787) was a rabbi and one of the great founding Rebbes of the Hasidic movement. 12 Go back home, my daughters! 10 From what we learn from the Book of Ruth, one does wonder what role Naomi played in this decision. How wrong Naomi was. Naomi was married to Elimelech and had two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Rabbi Shimon Ben Gamliel said: The ancestors who used the power of Divine Inspiration drew names out of (future) events; we who do not have access to Divine Inspiration, draw names from our forefathers (Genesis Rabbah 37,7)., What does the name Elimelech mean? 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. The second clue that this name is meant to be interpreted is how the verse presents it. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. At this point in time, one would not think that Naomi would be at the top of the list in the hall of faith: 13 These all died in faith without receiving the things promised, but they saw them in the distance and welcomed them and acknowledged that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth. ; Akkad. The crises of life are Gods pop quizzes, times when He puts our faith to the test, times when He gives us an opportunity to put our faith on display. Web- And Elimelech Naomi's husband died. 26 The way they acquired the 400 wives by wiping out Jabesh Gilead is no more noble. He was right, but, was there, perhaps, a personal element in his reaction? Good News Translation There were no state registries or social security numbers and names served a much more fluid purpose than they do today. In her mind, this was the normal, the customary, way to produce offspring. Follow your sister-in-law back home! (Ruth 1:15). https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/elimelech, "Elimelech 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). When the years of famine came he said, Now all of them will come to my door post, each one with his begging cup in his hand. 4 So her sons married Moabite women. There her husband died, and her sons married Moabite women named Ruth and Orpah. Douay-Rheims Bible And Elimelech the husband of Noemi died: and she remained with her sons. Elimelech Weisblum 1717 Tykocin, Kingdom of Poland. For my intense suffering is too much for you to bear. ." She urged her daughters-in-law to return to their mothers home, with the expectation that the LORD would bless them with security in a marriage to a new12 Moabite husband. Who would want Naomi for a mother-in-law? I can imagine how it alarmed and frightened Naomi when Elimelech died while they were sojourning in Moab. More tears are shed. 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. 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. I pray that you, like Ruth, have forsaken all confidence in yourself and have cast yourself upon the one true God for salvation. Can one dismiss the sincerity of a man of faith who fails to always live up to his convictions? 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. Text Copyright 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). May the Lord punish me severely if I do not keep my promise! 8 Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds, 9 for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans. In Judges 19-21, we find a similar situation. And so they did. All this is described in the Bible book of Ruth. She believes in a God who is all powerful, but who is not merciful and compassionate. 14 Again they wept loudly. (Ruth 1:1-22)2. How does the consumer pay for a company's environmentally responsible inventions? 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. Ruth has an uncanny grasp of Israels religion and has chosen to embrace it as her own. Another label for pragmatism is doing what seems right in our own eyes. That was the spirit of the age during the days of the judges. 12 May the LORD reward your efforts! Her name means "ewe," while that of her siste, Elam Surely you would not remain unmarried all that time! He could have helped more, since he was wealthy. 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. God has chosen to save Gentiles as well as Jews. RACHEL (Heb. 3 When Israel joined themselves to Baal-peor, the anger of the LORD flared up against Israel. What was Moses like? 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. Serving the god(s) of Moab (or any others) was an abomination to God: You shall have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3). 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. She then kissed both of them, a very clear signal of dismissal. ), Handbook of Ugaritic Studies (1999), index, 841. What a marvelous woman of faith Ruth was. This is the origin of the Moabites and the Ammonites. The benchmark by which we need to compare Ruth and Naomi is the Abrahamic Covenant: 1 Now the LORD said to Abram, Go out from your country, your relatives, and your father's household to the land that I will show you. They no longer have their old or former husbands because they have died. 3 Then Elimelech, Naomis husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. Orpah and Ruth were committed to returning to Israel with their mother-in-law. And the woman was left of her two children and of her husband. Clearly as quite young men. 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. For I am too old to get married again. Had you done so, you would have been able to even withstand Gods anger (Petichta Ruth Rabbah 5). They would be (or so it may have seemed to Naomi) a liability to her when she returned. Many tears were shed, but in the end both women refused to leave Naomi and return to their mothers home. Then figure out what the total cost of the trip would be.? 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. It seems that they are pointing out a certain disconnect between the name and the behavior. %PDF-1.5 In an effort to escape the famine, a man named Elimelech took his family to Moab, where he intended for his family to sojourn until the famine ended.10 How could he have imagined how long his family would stay? ). WebRuth 1:2. WebWhen a severe famine struck Israel, Elimelech took his wife Naomi and their two sons across the Jordan and south to the land of Moab, in the hope of finding a living there. A lion approached and he fought off the lion. Perhaps he was not even fully aware of this failing but God was. 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. Naomi and her two daughters-in-law had already set out for Israel11 when Naomi began to have second thoughts not about her return, but about having two Moabite daughters-in-law in tow when she arrived at her home town of Bethlehem. JETHRO (Heb. Ruth emphatically says No to Naomi, but with such wonderful words Naomi can hardly continue to stand in her way. It says in verse three that Elimelech died in Moab. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. Not long afterward he died, and his two sons married Moabite - As part of a small team, I organized a five-day congress (90 participants, budget 17,000), the largest yearly event of the association. But she concluded that God was using His power against her, rather than for her. 2013Mrz 20185 Jahre. But when there was a famine in the land, they moved to the neighboring country of Moab. Her faith and obedience was known by all. This story can be found in the book of Ruth. 1 Shout for joy, O barren one who has not given birth! WebBoaz is a preeminent example of selflessness, willing to risk the loss of his own name so that he could make sure that the name and line of his relative Elimele When we met, I had no idea who he was, but he introduced himself something like this, Hi, Bob, Im Nate Mirza. They would be a reminder that Naomis sons their husbands had not married Israelite wives. Ruth 4:9 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).
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