FROM FEASTING TO FAMINE

Background

What was going on in Israel in the time of the Judges?

Judges 21:25 “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Bethlehem in Judah

Where was Bethlehem in Judah located?

Bethlehem was located about 5 miles south of Jerusalem.

What was the significance of Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah?

Judah- praise

Bethlehem- house of bread

Ephrathites- fruitful

See Genesis 49:8-12...

Micah 5:2 “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”

Elimelech’s Family

What do we know about the individual member of this family?

What are the meanings of their names?

Elimelech- My God is King

Naomi- pleasant, lovely, delightful

Mahlon- to be sick, weak

Chilion- failing, pain, annihilation

The Famine

Why did this famine happen?

See Deuteronomy 28...

Moab

What do we know about Moab?

Distance to Moab: Bethlehem to Moab was roughly 50-60 miles apart as the crow flies. However, ancient travel routes, like those along the King’s Highway or around the Dead Sea, would have made the journey longer—likely 70-100 miles depending on the path taken.

1. Lot and his daughters- See Genesis 19:30-38

2. They worshiped Chemosh- Numbers 21:29, 1 Kings 11:7

3. The Moabites tried to curse Israel- Numbers 22-24

4. Moabite women seduced and corrupted Israel- Numbers 25:1-9, 31:12-16

5. Moab oppressed Israel during the time of the judges- Judges 3:12-14

6. Moabites were excluded from the assembly of the Lord- Deuteronomy 23:3-6

Was this a good place to go? Was it right or wrong of them to go?

See Deuteronomy 30:1-10...

Ruth and Orpah

What do we know about Ruth and Orpah?

What are the meanings of their names?

Orpah- possibly “neck”

Ruth- possibly friend, refresh, soak, or irrigate

Was it right or wrong for Naomi’s sons to marry them?

God’s Role

What is God’s role in all of this?

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Ephesians 1:11 “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,”

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

Application

How does all of this apply to us?

Let us trust in the Lord, in good times and bad. Let us never seek an easy way out that takes us out of God’s will. Let us be quick to repent when we fail. When we are in the midst of the storms of life, let us hang on to the precious promises of God. Let us never forget who He is and what He has done for us.