2 0 obj 12 May the LORD reward your efforts! Both women initially refused to heed Naomis exhortation to leave her and return to Moab. Because he abandoned his people during a famine. 2013Mrz 20185 Jahre. We are not told how wide-spread it was, but we do know that it affected Bethlehem (which ironically means house of bread). A Christian wife is having difficulties in her relationship with her husband, and she shares this with a Christian friend. 3 I will bless those who bless you, but the one who treats you lightly I must curse, and all the families of the earth will bless one another by your name (Genesis 12:1-3, emphasis mine). (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. The son of the oldest daughter was named Moab; the son of the younger daughter was named Ammon. Naomi saw singleness (widowhood for her) and childlessness as a curse, while Paul taught that singleness could facilitate ministry to others and to God (1 Corinthians 7:32-35). It was my friend Dave Austin who reminded me of the danger of pragmatism from this text. WebThe Bible Exposition Commentary: The meaning of redemption. Naomi was now left without a husband, without sons, and without grandchildren. Holy MatrimonyMarriage 1Marriage 2The Tenaim TranslatedThe Kesubah TranslatedMarriage and the Royal FamilyMarital Partners Compatibility of MissionsEverlasting Happiness10 Mistakes Couples Make, AbarbanelShem MeShmuelShabbos: Taam ChaimMikraHaarosGrowing with the ParshaGal Einai Jerusalem ViewsSfas EmesWeekly HalachaOsher HaChaim. The second clue that this name is meant to be interpreted is how the verse presents it. If our text tells us anything about God, it is that His ways are not our ways. Conversely, one who is not a Jew and isnt instructed by the Law may have the law written on his (her) heart, and thus do the things the law requires. We should learn from Naomi that if barrenness is ones earthly fate, our heavenly fate is vastly different. 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? But here is where the similarity ends. Ruth 2:1 Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, a prominent man of noble character from the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. 17 See Ruth 4:17, 21-22. Even professing Christians can fall victim to the tyranny of the urgent. Ruths spiritual journey is similar to that of Abraham. WebBecause of a severe famine in Judea, he emigrated to the land of Moab with his wife and his sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung tightly to her. We read of the origin of the Moabites in Genesis 19,3 just after the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. As Orpah kisses Naomi goodbye and turns back toward home, Ruth clings all the more tightly to her mother-in-law. They entered the region of Moab and settled there. Lot and his family were spared, but his wife died (turned to salt) because she looked back. A space remained that he did not manage to rebuild. 12 The word new is not in the original text. So the woman was left all alone bereaved of her two children as well as her husband! 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. Can one dismiss the sincerity of a man of faith who fails to always live up to his convictions? I am reminded of Satans strategy in the Garden of Eden. Judaism. You need to get right with God. Elimelech died, whereupon Mahlon and Chilion both married local women. 1 Copyright 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. She has been convinced and turns back to her own country. 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. To her, Gods blessings should appear now, in the form of bread, an eligible bachelor (marriage), and babies. Instead you must completely overthrow them and smash their standing stones to pieces (Exodus 23:24). No details, however, are given, as, on the one hand, no blame is attached to the conduct After about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion died. A famine plagued Israel in the days of the judges. 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). And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. Naomi was married to Elimelech and had two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. He came alongside Eve as her friend, as someone who was doing her a favor. Due to the famine in Israel during the time of the Judges, Elimelech crossed over to Moab, where he and his two sons died. 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. Good News Translation No wonder God forbade Moabites from entering the assembly to the tenth generation.7. The suffering of His people, whether for sins they have committed or for living righteously, is but the prelude to His glorious salvation. You can't run away. They arrived, in fact, just in time for the barley harvest. 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. 9 May the Lord enable each of you to find security in the home of a new husband! Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept loudly. 12 Go back home, my daughters! Here the name reflects the mans essence.The name of one was Peleg, for in his days, the entire world became divided (ni-peleg-a) (Geneis 10,25) This name was was given for Dispersion (after the Tower of Babel) that occurred during Pelegs lifetime. But when Ruth refused to return to her people and accompanied her to Bethlehem, Boaz entered the picture, a close relative, a possible redeemer. as Ili-Milku, a variant of the name Milk-ilu, ruler of Gezer. WebPrevious commentary: Next commentary: About this commentary: are made available by the generosity of . Ruth was determined to serve and care for her mother-in-law; Orpah chose to look out for herself. 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. Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. Part of the story about Naomi plays there, and another part in Bethlehem. 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. What are the disadvantages of shielding a thermometer? <>>> Each of you should return to your mothers home! JETHRO (Heb. The all-powerful God was making Naomis life miserable, so she thought and said. Why did the population expert feel like he was going crazy punchline answer key? The only hope Naomi sees for Orpah and Ruth is the hope of finding a Moabite husband and bearing children. The tale begins not in Israel or Judah but in Moab, where the Israelite Naomi and her husband, Elimelech, and her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, went during a famine in Judah. 14 For whenever the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things required by the law, these who do not have the law are a law to themselves. 10 From what we learn from the Book of Ruth, one does wonder what role Naomi played in this decision. We know of Abimelech, son of the leader Gideon and Abimelech, the King of Gerar. Ruth and Naomi are very different people. 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. 15 So Naomi said, Look, your sister-in-law is returning to her people and to her god. When kings ruled, My God is King, denoted not only spiritual but also political power. And they continued to live there about ten years. Elimelech was Naomi's husband. That is precisely what Naomi did with Orpah and Ruth. Web- And Elimelech Naomi's husband died. Elamtu), region on the edge of the southwestern part of the Iranian plateau, modern Khuzistan, Sidon Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit. She was not a Jew, and she had not been raised by parents who taught her the law. Who even remembers her name? Encyclopaedia Judaica. The woman was left of her two sons and her husband , The Lord had visited his people in giving them bread . 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). Shouldnt Ruth follow her lead? 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 stood in the opening and blocked it with his body. Dagn ), the Syrian and Canaanite god of seed, vegetation, and crops. And all of this resulted in the near annihilation of one of the twelve tribes (Benjamin) and a conspiracy to acquire wives for the remaining Benjamites in a way that was morally unacceptable. 20 Yet the children born during your time of bereavement will say within your hearing. Other translations have another another husband. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. And in good covenant form, she pronounced a curse upon herself if she did otherwise. 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 the woman was left of her two children and of her husband. God has chosen to save Gentiles as well as Jews. Take note of the fact that Ruths covenant is not a short-term commitment; it is a lifetime commitment. How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! We, too, live in very pragmatic times, and those who live by principle especially the principles of Gods Word are few and far between. where did these children come from? (Isaiah 49:20-21). 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. And the removal ended in the wasting of his family. 17 Wherever you die, I will die and there I will be buried. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. Naomi, so to speak, put all of her eggs into one basket marriage and bearing children. She seems to have little or no conviction regarding her sins, the sins of her husband, or of the sins of the nation. endobj No wonder they didnt have a great reputation. 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. Orpah and Ruth were committed to returning to Israel with their mother-in-law. Create a Memorial Then figure out what the total cost of the trip would be.? What a marvelous woman of faith Ruth was. As they entered Bethlehem, they became the talk of the town. 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped trying to dissuade her. Naomi seems to be encouraging Ruth to accompany Orpah as she returns home. The contrast between Ruth and Orpah. Lot fled with his daughters and was living in a cave. <> https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/elimelech, "Elimelech The inference is clear: to remain with Naomi has no promise of blessing and every reason to expect that they will share in her divinely-imposed affliction. 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. In addition, why would a private individual carry a name that signifies royalty. And thus there is no evidence of repentance on her part at this point in time. ), Handbook of Ugaritic Studies (1999), index, 841. 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. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Can one, on the other hand, forgive and excuse his deficiencies and the damage that they bring about? One has to ponder the outcome of her decision. The more Naomi moans on about how bad things are for her, and how hopeless it would be for Orpah or Ruth to stay with her, the more we see the mighty hand of God working all things for the good of His people, as well as for His glory. There is something particularly encouraging about our text. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. The NEW ENGLISH TRANSLATION, also known as THE NET BIBLE, is a completely new translation of the Bible, not a revision or an update of a previous English version. Ruth focused on Naomi and her need and on Naomis people and their God. Thus, we cannot say with certainty that the story of Ruth occurs late in the period of the judges, though this seems likely. They would be a reminder that Elimelech and Naomi had left Bethlehem when the going got tough. This is a text that has always puzzled me. Elimelech died, and the sons married two Moabite women: Mahlon married Ruth and Chilion married Orpah. 11 The thought occurred to me that Naomis journey back to her homeland traced the steps of the Israelites when they first entered the Promised Land. He was right, but, was there, perhaps, a personal element in his reaction? How wrong she was! He will do what he says he will do. Think of it: Naomi and her husband leave the land where God promised to bless them. May the Lord punish me severely if I do not keep my promise! This is the edited manuscript of Lesson 1 in the series, Ruth: A Story of Redemption, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh on January 10, 2010. Beware of well-meaning advice that is not rooted in Scripture and that is supportive of what you would really like to do, rather than what God commands us to do. I can imagine how it alarmed and frightened Naomi when Elimelech died while they were sojourning in Moab. In the past, Naomi was always portrayed in a somewhat flattering way. Naomi counseled Orpah and Ruth to do what seemed right in their eyes. Naomis people (Israel) would be her people, and Naomis God would be her God. 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. How wrong Naomi was. She had to leave her family, her homeland, and her gods and go to the place of Gods blessing. In Ugaritic documents of the 13th century the name is written Imlk and pronounced either Ili-Milku or Ili-Malku. 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. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live as a resident foreigner in the region of Moab, along with And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. 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. 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). A few years later, king Saul will offer the sacrifices, even though he was instructed to wait for Samuel, all because Saul felt this was a crisis that justified setting aside obedience in faith to Gods Word.27. Follow your sister-in-law back home! (Ruth 1:15). Ruth and Orpah did not bear Jewish children, too. So he lived in a cave with his two daughters. stream It is not for us to say how far those are right who see in the death of Elimelech and his sons Gods punishment for the disregard of His And Ruth were committed to returning to her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung tightly to her people to! 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