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. She gave them very pragmatic counsel, based upon what could be seen, rather than on Gods Word and the principle of faith. Webwas Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and ChilionEphrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. 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. Dedicate an Article 25 Translations differ here, but I think that this daughters choice of words is very important to consider. ." First, she insisted that Naomi must cease urging her to turn back. A godly Israelite would not only trust in the one true God, Yahweh, they would also know that there are no other gods. Fearing they would be overrun by the Israelites, Balak (king of Moab)4 hired Balaam to curse Israel. Naomi should teach us to be careful about accepting the counsel of those who seem to be well meaning. Ruth has an uncanny grasp of Israels religion and has chosen to embrace it as her own. The Bible did not say how this happened, but the household was now comprised of three widows. This, of course, is Naomis meaning. Take note of the fact that Ruths covenant is not a short-term commitment; it is a lifetime commitment. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous before God, but those who do the law will be declared righteous. 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. , Akk. 2 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible. The ultimate test is the Word of God and Naomis counsel, while it sometimes used Gods name, did not conform to Gods Word. How could Naomi point them in the wrong direction? Put another way, the title of this book is Ruth, not Orpah. Elimelech died, and the sons married two Moabite women: Mahlon married Ruth and Chilion married Orpah. 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. 12 For all who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. It provides us with a look at the life of the common person in Israel "Elimelech <> I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts and minds. She believes in a God who is all powerful, but who is not merciful and compassionate. In short, Naomi is a picture of Israels spiritual condition at this point in their history. 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). 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 fact, my study for this sermon has caused me to think of Naomi in even less flattering terms. No, my daughters, you must not return with me. This time it is Orpah who kisses Naomi goodbye. What are the advantages and disadvantages of video capture hardware? 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. In her third attempt, she orders Ruth to follow her sister-in-law back home. In her thinking, God had stripped her of all hope by taking her husband and her sons in death, and by preventing their wives from bearing children. He was right, but, was there, perhaps, a personal element in his reaction? As Orpah kisses Naomi goodbye and turns back toward home, Ruth clings all the more tightly to her mother-in-law. 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. 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. Naomi also made it clear that this was because (in her mind) God had dealt harshly with her.16 Naomi measured Gods blessing only in terms of food and of family. But when there was a famine in the land, they moved to the neighboring country of Moab. While they were in Moab, Elimelech died, leaving Naomi and her two sons. Elamtu), region on the edge of the southwestern part of the Iranian plateau, modern Khuzistan, Sidon Ruth focused on Naomi and her need and on Naomis people and their God. Ruth would have none of this foolish talk, and she made this abundantly clear to her mother-in-law. 2 0 obj Lots daughters, the Israelites (on behalf of the Benjamites), and Naomi are inclined to resort to a pragmatic solution, rather than one that is faith-based and rooted in principle. The contrast between Ruth and Orpah. 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. 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. I hate to say this, but after being involved in ministry for many years, I would have to say that some of the worst counsel I have ever heard has come from well-meaning Christians. Ruth would not only do this until death separated them, she would do so in death. Such people are in misery, and honestly, they make those around them miserable as well. If Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon, and Kilion suffered because of their sins, they deserved it. If God has it in for Naomi, what woman in her right mind would want to be closely associated with her? 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). Ordinarily it would be translated as, My God is King. Somehow God wrote His law on Ruths heart, not unlike Tamar and Rahab, her predecessors. WebChoices bring consequences, and Elimelech's wrong choices brought death. Once again I would suggest that Naomis strong urging for Ruth and Orpah to return was as much for her interests as for her daughters-in-law. Ruth, out of love and loyalty to her mother-in-law, accompanied Naomi back to Bethlehem, while Orpah stayed in Moab. Mahlon married Ruth in Moab while Kilion married Ruth's sister Orpah. 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. WebThe Bible Exposition Commentary: The meaning of redemption. Best Answer. She was not a Jew, and she had not been raised by parents who taught her the law. 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. Then she firmly stated her commitment to Naomi, to Israel, and to Israels God as a covenant. Perhaps he was not even fully aware of this failing but God was. Such is not the case, my friend, and seeing her as some kind of heroine will distort our understanding of the message of this wonderful book. He deals out Justice, rejecting the bad and rewarding the good. 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. 2 These women invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; then the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 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. EphrathitesThe ancient name of Beth-lehem was Ephrath (Ge 35:19; 48:7), which was continued after the occupation of the land by the Hebrews, even down to the time of the prophet Micah (Mic 5:2). The two women, now forever bound together by Ruths covenant, continued on their way until they reached Bethlehem. Apr. The all-powerful God was making Naomis life miserable, so she thought and said. (9) What we know (and Naomi does not) is that God is about to do a wonderful thing for her, solely on the basis of His grace. And they continued to live there about ten years. 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. Naomi adds one final argument in favor of Orpah and Ruth returning home to Moab. That person is a true Jew at heart. 10 But they said to her, No! Naomi is not at all like Ruth or Boaz; she is, in fact, a backdrop against which Ruth and Boaz are contrasted. 12 The word new is not in the original text. My sense is that most of the residents of Bethlehem stayed in Bethlehem, rather than leaving to sojourn in a foreign country during the days of the famine. There is really no evidence of faith (on Naomis part), either. It was my friend Dave Austin who reminded me of the danger of pragmatism from this text. Ruth and Orpah did not bear Jewish children, too. 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. He will do what he says he will do. Web(5) And they died. 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. iddunnu) comes from the root , Hadad In addition, why would a private individual carry a name that signifies royalty. 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