famine and faithfulness

We must keep the faith in the midst of the famine

Introduction:

The book of Ruth is only the second book named after a woman in the Bible.

She is also not a Jew.

Ruth would become the great grandmother of King David.

the author is believed to Be Samual

Ruth 1:1 (CSB)

1 During the time of the judges, there was a famine in the land. A man left Bethlehem in Judah with his wife and two sons to stay in the territory of Moab for a while.

the famine on the land of Israel was a Judgment from God.

the right response to a judgment of God is not to flee but to repent. confess that you have sinned, turn from what you are doing. seek HIs face and ask forgiveness.

at times in our life we think we will just do this or be here for a little bit, a moment., but turns out to be longer.

it ends up being 10 years for them.

Ruth 1:2 (CSB): 2 The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife’s name was Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They entered the fields of Moab and settled there.

Elimelech means God is King , but Elimelech was not acting like it. In fact he was did what all of judges speaks of Isreal doing

Judges 21:25 (CSB)

25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.

Bethlehem means House of Bread.

The house of bread had no Bread.

Life presents us with Choices.

Elimelech choice shows his lack of faith.

Proverbs 14:12 (CSB)

12 There is a way that seems right to a person,

but its end is the way to death.

Proverbs 16:25 (CSB)

25 There is a way that seems right to a person,

but its end is the way to death.

he leaves Isreal for Moab

The Moabites were a tribe descended from Moab, the son of Lot, born of an incestuous relationship with his oldest daughter (Genesis 19:37).

The king of Moab sought to curse the Israelites by having Balaam curse them.

remember Balaam and his donkey. Balaam was tasked by the king of Moab to go and curse them. Balaam couldn't proceed because his Donkey kept protecting him.

Elimelech chose to go to the land of His Enemy then stay in the land of Milk and Honey The promise land.

Ruth 1:3–5 CSB

Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, died, and she was left with her two sons. Her sons took Moabite women as their wives: one was named Orpah and the second was named Ruth. After they lived in Moab about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and the woman was left without her two children and without her husband.

They left Bethlehem to escape death and yet they died.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 CSB

For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything. There is no longer a reward for them because the memory of them is forgotten.

1 Corinthians 15:22 CSB

For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

Hebrews 9:27 CSB

And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment—

judgment continued on the family by the sons wives being barren.

Naomi has lost all hope evidence by what she says in verse 20

Ruth 1:20–21 (CSB)

20 “Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara,” she answered, “for the Almighty has made me very bitter. 21 I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has opposed me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”

in the midst of famine and unfaithfulness comes Ruth who is faithfull.

Ruth 1:16–17 (CSB)

16 But Ruth replied:

Don’t plead with me to abandon you

or to return and not follow you.

For wherever you go, I will go,

and wherever you live, I will live;

your people will be my people,

and your God will be my God.

17 Where you die, I will die,

and there I will be buried.

May the Lord punish me,

and do so severely,

if anything but death separates you and me.

Covenant language used by Ruth.

She leaves her life,

She leaves her ways.

She leaves her God.

This is what we are to do when we embrace and accept Jesus as Our master and Savior.