There is no reason for you to return to Judah with me! https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/elimelech, "Elimelech 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). However, the date of retrieval is often important. DAGON (Heb. 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. 36 In this way both of Lots daughters became pregnant by their father. The focus is usually on one person and not on the group. 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). 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. And they continued to live there about ten years. And so they did. We, too, live in very pragmatic times, and those who live by principle especially the principles of Gods Word are few and far between. It follows, therefore, that these characters must be important in setting the theme of the book. Ruth and Orpah did not bear Jewish children, too. When a famine came to the area around Bethlehem, Elimelech and Naomi moved to Moab (Moab was the name of Lot's elder He was right in that Kingship was destined to come from his progeny; yet he was also grievously wrong for he himself was not fitting to become king of Israel. 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. Neither does she mention the mistreatment they would likely receive because Moab is Israels enemy, but they could probably read between the lines. Even if she were able to bear children, it would be unreasonable for these two widows to wait 20 years for replacement husbands. No, in Naomis mind there was no good reason to remain with her as she returned to her homeland. 12 May the LORD reward your efforts! 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. Hebrews 12:6,10,11 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth, Elimelech -- 'God is king', the husband of Naomi, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular, Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular, Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there, Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also, dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her, Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies her, The two come to Bethlehem, where they are gladly received, OT History: Ruth 1:3 Elimelech Naomi's husband died (Ru Rut. The only hope Naomi sees for Orpah and Ruth is the hope of finding a Moabite husband and bearing children. endobj Lot was turned to salt because she looked back at the city. One would have to begin by saying that these two women have a fair bit in common. And both (at least initially) were committed to staying with Naomi, even if that meant immigrating to Israel. . It seems that they are pointing out a certain disconnect between the name and the behavior. May the Lord punish me severely if I do not keep my promise! 2 Kings 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. The term she used to refer to Him Shaddai was a term that emphasized Gods great power. 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. Due to the famine in Israel during the time of the Judges, Elimelech crossed over to Moab, where he and his two sons died. Following their deaths, his wife Naomi returned to Beth-Lehem together with her daughter-in-law *Ruth (Ruth 1:13; 2:1, 3; 4:3, 9). There Ruth married *Boaz, one of Elimelech's relatives. Amen (Romans 11:33-36). 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 Path of Despair and the Path of Return. %PDF-1.5 Just being Jewish and knowing the Law of Moses isnt enough; one must also live by the law. How could any faithful Israelite encourage someone to return to their (false) god(s)? This is entirely consistent with Old Testament history and with the warnings recorded in Leviticus 26:18-20 and Deuteronomy 28:23-24. You, leaders, did not stand at the opening like Moses. ,), Midianite priest and father-in-law of *Moses. But when there was a famine in the land, they moved to the neighboring country of Moab. The women of the village said, Can this be Naomi? 20 But she replied to them, Dont call me Naomi! No wonder Naomi finally ceased trying to convince her to turn back (verse 18). <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> There is something particularly encouraging about our text. 10 From what we learn from the Book of Ruth, one does wonder what role Naomi played in this decision. Dedicate an Article (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. Elimelech died, and the sons married two Moabite women: Mahlon married Ruth and Chilion married Orpah. T -6d$zA ^C(D`Ed8 BR. , ' eylam; Elamite halhatamti; Akk. Leaving His land, His people, His office-bearers, His worship and His day is leaving God. Posted on September 7, 2005 By Rabbi Dr. Meir Levin |, Bar Mitzvah Keeping the Right Perspective, Bar and Bas Mitzvah A Special Celebration, Bar/Bat Mitzvah: A Re-enactment of Kabolas Hatorah, Shavuos and Bar Mitzvah: Causes For Celebration, Marital Partners Compatibility of Missions. Wouldnt it be better for the two of them to travel together? Eventually, Naomi steered Ruth into a relationship with a distant relative named Boaz. Ruth was determined to serve and care for her mother-in-law; Orpah chose to look out for herself. ELAM (Heb. And Gideon said to them: I shall not rule over you and my son shall not rule over you, Hashem shall rule over you (Judges 8, 22). Humanly speaking, staying with Naomi does not offer much promise of a good life for these Moabite widows. There is really no evidence of faith (on Naomis part), either. Naomis first attempt is described in verses 8-10. 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. I am reminded of Satans strategy in the Garden of Eden. They were of the clan of Ephrath from Bethlehem in Judah.) Shouldnt Ruth follow her lead? Ruths spiritual journey is similar to that of Abraham. For the Lord is afflicting me!. 1 Copyright 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. When he saw that his generation scorned great men, he said, Surely I shall go from here so that I will not be caught among them (Zohar Chodosh 77a). 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. But when Ruth refused to return to her people and accompanied her to Bethlehem, Boaz entered the picture, a close relative, a possible redeemer. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. God sees things not as we see them. They would be a reminder that Naomis sons their husbands had not married Israelite wives. Elimelech died, whereupon Mahlon and Chilion both married local women. They need new or different husbands to marry and to bear children. 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. As the years have gone by, I may have mellowed in the terms I would use to portray Naomi, but my opinion of her has not really changed. The New Covenant promises that God will write the law on the hearts of those He has chosen for salvation, whether Jew or Gentile. 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. Let us reflect on these contrasts for a moment. 2 These women invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; then the people ate and bowed down to their gods. Ordinarily it would be translated as, My God is King. <>>> Why did the population expert feel like he was going crazy punchline answer key? 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. God is always at his work. WebBecause of a severe famine in Judea, he emigrated to the land of Moab with his wife and his sons, Mahlon and Chilion. ." Many are the times when friends counsel others to act in their own best interests, and all too seldom do they point their friends to the difficult principles and commands of Scripture. 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). Due to the famine in Israel during the time of the Judges, Elimelech crossed over to Moab, where he and his two sons died. And they will do this because they believe they are doing their friend a favor. Like Moabs mother, the Israelites reasoned that due to their circumstances, an Israelite line might become extinct. Ruths words are beautiful, and thus it is no wonder that some have chosen to employ them for their marriage vows. Was it at Naomis initiative that her sons took Moabite women for wives? We find Ruth contrasted with Orpah, and then with Naomi. What are the advantages and disadvantages of video capture hardware? Retrieved February 22, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/elimelech. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. Copy. Many years later, the Israelites were camped on the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from Jericho, poised to enter the Promised Land. Here is a story that not only warms our hearts, it encourages our faith by unveiling the providential hand of God in bringing salvation and blessing during one of the darkest periods in history. For the children of the desolate one are more numerous. I am now inclined to believe that Ruth is an example of Romans 2:12-16. 1 During the time of the judges there was a famine in the land of Judah. The resolution to these irregularities is primarily exegetical. % than the children of the married woman, says the Lord. Such early setting out of the players is quite unusual in Biblical writing. See also: More about the Book of Ruth. When the story opens, Naomis sons have just died. Ruth would not only do this until death separated them, she would do so in death. and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband; deprived both of her husband and her sons, which was a great affliction, aggravated by her being in a strange country; many are the afflictions of the righteous. A Christian wife is having difficulties in her relationship with her husband, and she shares this with a Christian friend. 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. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. Who would want a Moabite wife, especially a widow? She would have been very much at home in our Postmodern world. Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. It had been at least ten years since Naomi and her family had left them. Fearing they would be overrun by the Israelites, Balak (king of Moab)4 hired Balaam to curse Israel. And in good covenant form, she pronounced a curse upon herself if she did otherwise. His name was Nate Mirza. How could Naomi point them in the wrong direction? This time it is Orpah who kisses Naomi goodbye. She was one who received Gods blessings because she blessed one of Abrahams offspring by remaining with her and committing to care for her.28 Ruth was a woman who committed herself for a lifetime, and she did so in spite of her national pride, her family affections, the example of her sister-in-law, and the urgings of her mother-in-law. WebElimelech died, leaving Naomi with only her two sons. <> 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. WebDeutsches Jungforschernetzwerk - juFORUM e.V. The word redeem means to set free by paying a price. In the case of Ruth and Naomi, Elimelechs property had A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? One has to ponder the outcome of her decision. (February 22, 2023). "Elimelech The ancestors, since they knew their genealogies, would derive names from events. The woman was left of her two sons and her husband , The Lord had visited his people in giving them bread . Web(5) And they died. 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. Apparently soon after the settlement of the family. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live as a resident foreigner in the region of Moab, along with his wife and two sons. He stood in the opening and blocked it with his body. (2) There is no indication that other Israelites from Bethlehem (or elsewhere in Israel) accompanied Elimelech and his family to Moab. But it is not the essence of what our life in Christ is about. There are those who attempt to guild the lily as they read the Book of Ruth, desperately seeking some basis for making a pious Israelite of Naomi.