Life of Ruth Lesson 2 “A Famine and a Farewell”

As As the book of Ruth opens we are introduced to a little family for whom life, as they knew it, would never be the same. More to the point, what we actually see are the events of life caving in upon a woman named Naomi. She, as a woman of God, must submit to her husband’s leadership even though his decisions are clearly flawed. Going over this in my mind, knowing how husbands and wives usually hash things out during any big decision-making process, you have to wonder if she disagreed with the move. If she reasoned with him: “How on earth are we supposed to raise godly young men in Egypt! Why would you even consider taking us to such a place? You know what it’s like over there Elimelech! I mean, all our friends and loved ones are still here-can’t we just try to live our lives in such a way as to please the Almighty?” I think this may be a logical deduction based on the fact that later on in the book Naomi is really, really bitter. It could be those feelings began to spark up just like the embers Elimelech might have poked at the night he gathered the family around the campfire and told them to pack their bags. So why this time of punishment and subsequent suffering brought upon God’s people? We know it was a localized famine for Moab was only 55 miles away and there was plenty there. Let’s remember first and foremost God is a very loving God. He wants his best for us. God is not a God who doesn’t warn us or give us instructions. He wants us to be blessed.

In this case a severe famine was placed on the disobedient children of Israel in order to get their attention and bring them back to God. That was the whole idea. It was not to compel them to move. Not unlike the loving parent who must confront an unruly teenager who is turning the entire household upside down by their disrespect and rebellion. Often the young adult will threaten to “move out” if they can’t have their way. (Side-note: unfortunately there is usually some sympathetic buttinsky of a relative in the wings- willing to interrupt the parents’ God- ordained leadership in their offspring’s life and offer a place of refuge for the poor, “confused” child…) It is not the parents’ wishes that the teen leave, but that they conform to the rules of the house, i. e., reasonable curfews, reasonable associations, etc. It is to be expected that a young adult should respect his parents enough to abide by the rules of conduct they have established for God’s glory and for the harmony of their family.

God withheld certain things, such as bountiful crops because of their disobedience. They were punished and feeling the strain of it all. Food was very scarce and the famine was not about to let up until God’s people repented of their grievous sins against him and made things right. God is a holy God. He doesn’t bend, He keeps His Word. It’s one of a number of attributes of his that causes us to love Him and fear Him at the same time. We love him because he is always the same and therefore we know he will ever remain a good God, merciful and gracious. We fear him because having great respect for his Word, we are certain he will keep it! There are no empty threats with God. And we as his people should have great respect and reverence for him. So it was an uncomfortable time. People weren’t happy, content or full. But that’s the way it is with sin. When one continues in it, it never gets better, only worse.

Now let us consider what God could’ve done for Elimelech and his little family were they right with Him. Would he have met their needs? Without a doubt. Jesus said our Father takes care of the flowers and the sparrows to see that their needs are met, and that we, of course, are far more valuable to him. Even the hairs of our heads are numbered by God. God cares deeply for us. He would’ve taken care of that family right where they were in the midst of a famine. But they left. And it wasn’t long after they were gone, that tragedy struck and Elimelech died. It’s very interesting to note how God marks the death of the saved in the Bible compared to what He says about the lost: Abraham died in a good old age, full of years- Sarah died and Abraham came to weep and mourn for her – Isaac died being old and full of days and his sons buried him- Neither Moses- 120 years- eyes not dim, nor his natural force abated and the children of Israel wept for him 30 days -Joshua, the servant of the Lord died-being 110 years old and Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua. Too many more to list-but Elimelech died. That’s all. In the last lesson I told you his name meant, “My God is king” but the Jewish sages disagree-they say the pronunciation is different and that his name means, “Kingship is due me”. They are calling attention to the incongruity between the meaning of his name and his behavior. For why would a man who truly believed God is king abandon God and His people at a time of famine? Well now what? The Bible tells us Naomi was left with her two sons. They left as four and then they were down to three. And it appears the boys, who were raised in this place, became accustomed to the lifestyles and customs of the Moabites. To such an extent apparently, that when their father died, no one considered heading back to Bethlehem! Neither of the young men was spiritual minded enough to say, “Okay, wow. Poor dad. Hate to leave him here mom-but let’s get outta this place!” Oh no, they were very comfortable in downtown Moab where they were surrounded by and infiltrated with paganism. But remember, it wasn’t always this way. For part of their lives they were raised in God’s land, among his people. Those days were all forgotten, apparently. So much so, when they became of age to get married no one said, “Hey, let’s do what God says will be best and go home to Bethlehem and trust God to bring someone into our lives who will be the perfect match for us!” Nope. They looked around and came up with two women for themselves; girls who were raised in the world, and who learned nothing about God throughout all the days of their youth. I am certain the boys knew God’s law expressly forbade this as commanded in Deut. 7:1-4. What must Naomi have thought? The apples didn’t fall far from the tree in more than a few ways… And so the boys went on in their married lives for ten years. There were no children added in all of those years- a sure sign in those days that God was not blessing their families. And then all at once-Mahlon and Chileon died and Naomi was left of her husband and her sons, a sure sign of judgment on the family.

Now Naomi was all alone, yet all alone she knew immediately what she would do. She would return to Bethlehem. Many times a husband’s bad choices can make the entire family suffer for them, both in consequences and reputation. Now Naomi had made up her mind and the only thing she knew was that she was going to position herself to be blessed of God. She would not stay a moment longer in that worldly, Godless place. She didn’t care how far she would have to walk; quite a journey for an older woman- at least 55 miles. If she had to walk the entire way-she was leaving. She suffered enough, she was gone long enough, and she was going home.

Next Lesson-“The Confrontation.”