Next, Elimelech died. This left Naomi alone with her two sons. This was long before women had any power, jobs, or anything to live on. We're not told when Elimelech died, but there are some interesting things to notice here.
First, while we can't plan for everything, Elimelech's moving his family into a pagan land could have proved disastrous, becuase of the possibility of his death. Naomi had to be incredibly strong-willed as far as leading the family. And yet, at the same time, she had to be entirely submissive to God's will. If she lacked one or the other, her sons could easily go astray. There are very courageous females in the Bible, of course; Esther, the Shunemite woman (2 Kings 4), and Deborah, to name a few. But, the possiblity of Elimelech's death so far from home was one that should have been considered. And, to give proper credit, considering the outcome, perhaps it was.
Still, she was left. And, even if they prepared their family perfectly, it would be very hard for Naomi. Because, she was not just left alone; she was left with her two sons. Misery does love company, but being a widow with two sons forced her to take responsibility as the spiritual leader, too, depending ont heir ages. And, even if they were old enough to get jobs and care for their mother, it was still a burden. A burden that would show itself once she returned to Israel.
As for now, she tried to keep a brave face, not only for the sake of her sons, Mahlon and Chilion, but for the sake of the people around them. Whether she confided her sadness and bitterness to her sons, as she would later do upon her return to Israel, is unknown. However, the way we deal with tragedy will often help show the outside world whether God is real. They will accept we have struggles, just like the rest of the world. But, they will also expect to see some evidence that our faith is different.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Ruth 1:2
This family can truly be called a family of missionaries. Yes, missionaries should follow God's call. However, God knows each person's heart and mind. He called Jonah to reach Nineveh, but also knew that Jonah would run. He may have chosen Jonah because his running away toward Tarshish would be the only way to bring a boat filled with peple, from many different backgrounds, to worship Him. (Jon. 1:16) In the same way, He used Elimelech on his team because he knew there was a women out there who would choose to Him, if she only knew of His love.
Our missionaries aren't perfect. Some will even leave, or grow discouraged, because they can't seem to bear any fruit. But, Elimelech, like Jonah, was used in a mighty way, even if that way only ends up reaching one peson with the Gospel. That one person is still an important person, for whom Jesus Christ came to this world and shed His perfect blood to save from their sin. Yes, it can be hard for a missionary to think of spending all that time and energy to win one soul. But, thankfully, there are usually more than that. It can still take a long time, though. Adoniram Judson spent years in Burma before winning his first convert, but he is known today as the father of Burmese Christianity.
This verse ends, then, with Elimielech and his family continuing in Moab. They weren't there as travelers; they meant to live there, at least as long as the famine continued. They just had to avoid getting so caught up int he culture that they forgot to honor and serve God.
Our missionaries aren't perfect. Some will even leave, or grow discouraged, because they can't seem to bear any fruit. But, Elimelech, like Jonah, was used in a mighty way, even if that way only ends up reaching one peson with the Gospel. That one person is still an important person, for whom Jesus Christ came to this world and shed His perfect blood to save from their sin. Yes, it can be hard for a missionary to think of spending all that time and energy to win one soul. But, thankfully, there are usually more than that. It can still take a long time, though. Adoniram Judson spent years in Burma before winning his first convert, but he is known today as the father of Burmese Christianity.
This verse ends, then, with Elimielech and his family continuing in Moab. They weren't there as travelers; they meant to live there, at least as long as the famine continued. They just had to avoid getting so caught up int he culture that they forgot to honor and serve God.
Ruth 1:1
The Book of Ruth is often called a great love story. However, it is also a great missions story.
The events happen during the time judges ruled Israel. The specific time was one of disobedience. As God promised, Israel was suffering a famine for its disobedience. Famines were a natural consequence in these days. If Israel chose not to follow God's rules for them, God removed his blessings. However, that doesn't mean every natural disaster is a punishment from God. First, this is the way God dealt with His chosen nationspecifically. Second, the presence of sin in the world means there are many natural disasters which happen just because the world isn't perfect.
The family in question chose to leave Israel becasue of the famine. Now, God had told the people of Israel to remain there. He did this for ttheir protection, so they wouldn't be tempted to serve false gods, and possibly do wicked things, like human sacrifices. It is much easier - but still hard - to be true to our faith when all the world around us is so far from God, becuase Christians have the indwelling Holy Spirit. However, it is still all too easy for us to wind up being just liek the world, if we're not careful.
However, God wanted the other nations to see His love and compassion, too. So, while this family's leaving of Israel was wrong, God was still willing to bless it. They would simply have a very difficult time serving and worshipping God, as they would be the only worshippers of the true God in a land of carnal people. It is just like today's missionaries, who go to lands filled with idolatry, where there may be few - or even no - Christians among millions of people.
Such missionaries must keep their hearts closely guarded, while reaching out to the lost with the truth of God's justice, mercy, and grace. They can - and should - follow the culture in ways which would still honor God. Americans in general, for instnace, are much more punctual and hurried than those in some lands; this means missionaries in those lands must adjust their thinking to not worry so much about natives being right on time They must be more forgiving. But, they must also avoid falling into patterns which would dishonor God, such as worshipping idols.
Of course, it was harder back then, because in Holy Spirit couldn't indwell believers yet.
This man, Elimelech, and his family didn't totally obey God. However, God knew someone who could be reach by His grace and mercy. This woman, Ruth, could have come to know the God of love and mercy in some other way. After all, He is different than all man-made idols. He comes to us to offer His love and redemption. We do not have to reach up to Him. We can't, in fact.
Instead of having Ruth come to know Him some other way, He let Elimelech and his family go to her. There is no limit to how far God will go for one soul. If there is a heart that wants to receive His mercy, He will reach it, even if it takes many years; the Book of Revelation speaks of people of every nation bowing before the throne, after all. WWith some, they will be children who died before the age of accountability. But, many others will be like a Chinese woman in her 80s. A missionary came to her village for the first time, and taught about Christ's death, burial,a nd resurrection for our sins. This woman trusted in Christ, and said, in effect, that she had always known there had to be some sort of Redeemer, and now, she had finally received that salvation she knew, in her heart, had to be there. for her
The land to which this family went was Moab. It was around 200 years after the war between Moab and Israel, described in Judges 3. Moabites therefore probably viewed Elimelech and his family with curiosity, not hostility. It is much easier for a missionary to enter a place where he or she is welcomed. However, it also made things harder for Elimelech. The kindness they showed would make it easier for him and his family to fall into idolatry if they weren't careful.
This was especially important becuase he had to watch out for his wife, Naomi, and his two sons. We aren't sure how old they were when this happened, or how old they were when Elimelech died. The time mentioned at the end of verse 4 - ten years - will be considered when we get to that verse.
Jewish men weren't allowed to marry nonbelievers. This is the context Paul writes of many years later, when he says that we must not be unequally yoked. (2 Cor. 6:14) It can't be about races, because they could marry Jewish proselytes - that was a Gentile who chose to follow God. This command is all about not being bound in marriage with someone who doesn't follow the true God, regardless of race.
God, by His grace and mercy, allowed this, however. Just as He planned to have all Gentiles adopted into His family through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins. The Jewish people are still God's chosen people. Gentile believershave simply been grafted in, with the spirit of adoption, by the Lord Himself, Who shows His unconditional love toward us.
The events happen during the time judges ruled Israel. The specific time was one of disobedience. As God promised, Israel was suffering a famine for its disobedience. Famines were a natural consequence in these days. If Israel chose not to follow God's rules for them, God removed his blessings. However, that doesn't mean every natural disaster is a punishment from God. First, this is the way God dealt with His chosen nationspecifically. Second, the presence of sin in the world means there are many natural disasters which happen just because the world isn't perfect.
The family in question chose to leave Israel becasue of the famine. Now, God had told the people of Israel to remain there. He did this for ttheir protection, so they wouldn't be tempted to serve false gods, and possibly do wicked things, like human sacrifices. It is much easier - but still hard - to be true to our faith when all the world around us is so far from God, becuase Christians have the indwelling Holy Spirit. However, it is still all too easy for us to wind up being just liek the world, if we're not careful.
However, God wanted the other nations to see His love and compassion, too. So, while this family's leaving of Israel was wrong, God was still willing to bless it. They would simply have a very difficult time serving and worshipping God, as they would be the only worshippers of the true God in a land of carnal people. It is just like today's missionaries, who go to lands filled with idolatry, where there may be few - or even no - Christians among millions of people.
Such missionaries must keep their hearts closely guarded, while reaching out to the lost with the truth of God's justice, mercy, and grace. They can - and should - follow the culture in ways which would still honor God. Americans in general, for instnace, are much more punctual and hurried than those in some lands; this means missionaries in those lands must adjust their thinking to not worry so much about natives being right on time They must be more forgiving. But, they must also avoid falling into patterns which would dishonor God, such as worshipping idols.
Of course, it was harder back then, because in Holy Spirit couldn't indwell believers yet.
This man, Elimelech, and his family didn't totally obey God. However, God knew someone who could be reach by His grace and mercy. This woman, Ruth, could have come to know the God of love and mercy in some other way. After all, He is different than all man-made idols. He comes to us to offer His love and redemption. We do not have to reach up to Him. We can't, in fact.
Instead of having Ruth come to know Him some other way, He let Elimelech and his family go to her. There is no limit to how far God will go for one soul. If there is a heart that wants to receive His mercy, He will reach it, even if it takes many years; the Book of Revelation speaks of people of every nation bowing before the throne, after all. WWith some, they will be children who died before the age of accountability. But, many others will be like a Chinese woman in her 80s. A missionary came to her village for the first time, and taught about Christ's death, burial,a nd resurrection for our sins. This woman trusted in Christ, and said, in effect, that she had always known there had to be some sort of Redeemer, and now, she had finally received that salvation she knew, in her heart, had to be there. for her
The land to which this family went was Moab. It was around 200 years after the war between Moab and Israel, described in Judges 3. Moabites therefore probably viewed Elimelech and his family with curiosity, not hostility. It is much easier for a missionary to enter a place where he or she is welcomed. However, it also made things harder for Elimelech. The kindness they showed would make it easier for him and his family to fall into idolatry if they weren't careful.
This was especially important becuase he had to watch out for his wife, Naomi, and his two sons. We aren't sure how old they were when this happened, or how old they were when Elimelech died. The time mentioned at the end of verse 4 - ten years - will be considered when we get to that verse.
Jewish men weren't allowed to marry nonbelievers. This is the context Paul writes of many years later, when he says that we must not be unequally yoked. (2 Cor. 6:14) It can't be about races, because they could marry Jewish proselytes - that was a Gentile who chose to follow God. This command is all about not being bound in marriage with someone who doesn't follow the true God, regardless of race.
God, by His grace and mercy, allowed this, however. Just as He planned to have all Gentiles adopted into His family through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins. The Jewish people are still God's chosen people. Gentile believershave simply been grafted in, with the spirit of adoption, by the Lord Himself, Who shows His unconditional love toward us.
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