A Crisis at Home!

Ruth 1:3 KJV 1900

3 And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

Ruth 1:5 KJV 1900

5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

Ruth 1.

Three deaths

Two sons

Her Husband

Illustration of a Crisis - when it rains it pours.

Dad passes away and both sons!

The five Sullivan brothers were World War II sailors who, serving together on the USS Juneau (CL-52), were all killed in action on its sinking around November 13, 1942.

The five brothers, the sons of Thomas (1883–1965) and Alleta Sullivan (1895–1972) of Waterloo, Iowa, were:

George Thomas Sullivan, 27 (born December 14, 1914), Gunner's Mate Second Class (George had been previously discharged in May 1941 as Gunner's Mate Third Class.)

Francis Henry "Frank" Sullivan, 26 (born February 18, 1916), Coxswain (Frank had been previously discharged in May 1941 as Seaman First Class.)

Class.)Francis Henry "Frank" Sullivan, 26 (born February 18, 1916), Coxswain (Frank had been previously discharged in May 1941 as Seaman First Class.)Joseph Eugene "Joe" Sullivan, 24 (born August 28, 1918), Seaman Second ClassMadison Abel "Matt" Sullivan, 23 (born November 8, 1919), Seaman Second ClassAlbert Leo "Al" Sullivan, 20 (born July 8, 1922), Seaman Second Class

Joseph Eugene "Joe" Sullivan, 24 (born August 28, 1918), Seaman Second Class

Madison Abel "Matt" Sullivan, 23 (born November 8, 1919), Seaman Second Class

Albert Leo "Al" Sullivan, 20 (born July 8, 1922), Seaman Second Class

Tonight I want to begin our study in the wonderful book of Ruth. Within this portion of Scripture we find one of the greatest pictures of grace presented in the Bible.

This biblical account focuses on three main characters:

Ruth, a pagan girl from Moab who received an abundant measure of grace;

Naomi, her mother-in-law, who found herself away from God and in desperate need of returning;

Boaz, a kinsman of Naomi’s who provided hope and redemption for them as they returned to Bethlehem.

The central theme of Ruth is the unmerited favor and grace of God to those who are undeserving.

The opening verses that we have read tonight give us insight to the conditions of Moab and the dangers associated with dwelling there.

We find that Elimelech had decided to move his family from Bethlehem to the land of Moab, just across the Jordan River to the east of the land of promise.

Moab was not a place that was favorable to those who trusted the Lord.

The environment of Moab created an atmosphere that made it difficult to live for the Lord and continue to serve Him. It was a land inhabited by those who worshipped idols and served strange gods, descendents of Moab, the son of Lot born out of an ungodly relationship with his daughter. They were a rebellious and sinful people who attacked and sought to defeat Israel as they journeyed in the wilderness.

Psalm 60:8 KJV 1900

8 Moab is my washpot; Over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.

The world in which we live appeals to the flesh, but in the end, it always brings devastation and defeat.

God declared in - Moab is my washpot; viewed as a filthy and despised vessel used by slaves to wash the feet of a conquering victor. The world in which we live appeals to the flesh, but in the end, it always brings devastation and defeat. As we begin our study, I want to examine the reality of dwelling in a foreign land as we consider: The Truth about Moab.

Crisis at Home started with a :

I. A Destitute Land

A. A Famine of Food –

These were desperate times for the people of Israel and the other nations around them. We find that there was a famine in the land. They faced shortages concerning their food resources caused by an extended period of drought. Simply obtaining enough food and provisions to survive was a difficult and overwhelming task.

B. A Famine of Faithfulness –

We also discover that this was during the days when the judges ruled. That may seem insignificant, but we must understand the philosophy of life during that time.

Judges 21:25 KJV 1900

25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

judges

Men were not concerned with living according to the Word or ways of God. They did that which was right in their eyes, that which was accepted of society.

Men were not concerned with living according to the Word or ways of God. They did that which was right in their eyes, that which was accepted of society. Would you not agree that we are living in such a time again today? Most are not concerned with right or wrong. They are not concerned with living in a manner that pleases the Lord. They live according to what they view as being right in their eyes. “If it feels good, do it!”

Would you not agree that we are living in such a time again today? Most are not concerned with right or wrong. They are not concerned with living in a manner that pleases the Lord. They live according to what they view as being right in their eyes. “If it feels good, do it!”

Illustration - no boundries - open marriages, gay and lesbian normalizations etc...

What about the Christians - relocate to another town w/o first considering what God thinks.

Job change, church attendance, tithing etc.....

C. A Famine of Favor –

C. A Famine of Favor –

In that day Israel no longer regarded the Lord or His ways, living only to please the flesh, and they paid a heavy price for their sinful living. The land of milk and honey was no longer producing its abundance.

God had removed His hand of favor and the people were suffering from His absence in their lives. I am not a prophet of doom and I certainly don’t assume that every tragedy that humanity faces is the result of God’s judgment. However, we would be foolish and untruthful to deny the fact that turning away from the Lord is without consequence. America is suffering a famine of favor!

II. A Deceptive Land -

And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. Let’s consider:

A. Their Lineage –

Elimelech brought his family from the land of his fathers, the land of promise. He dwelt in Bethlehem-Judah. Bethlehem means “house of bread.” Judah means “praise.”

Granted there was a famine in the land, but Elimelech made a conscious decision to abandon the blessing and praise of God for a land of idolatry and sinful lusts.

He could not claim ignorance for his decision. His lineage was in Bethlehem. It is also interesting to note that Elimelech means “my God is king.” Each time that his name was mentioned it was a testimony to the power and ability of God and yet he failed to trust Him.

He focused on the temporary trial rather than the eternal God! Have we not been guilty of the same?

Philippians 4:12–13 KJV 1900

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

phil 4.

B. Their Longing –

As I considered this passage I was saddened by the decision of Elimelech, but I do want to give him the benefit of the doubt.

We find in V.1 that he had planned to sojourn in Moab.

That has the idea of “a temporary stay; a temporary dwelling.” He should have trusted God, but he had not planned on staying in Moab. He was just going for a while and planned to return to Bethlehem.

Many today have a genuine desire to serve the Lord and really don’t plan on getting caught up in the lure and pleasures of the world.

They may wander from the Lord, but there is no real desire to abandon Him al- together.

This is a dangerous decision to make.

Satan will never show the end result of sin. He only shows that which appeals to the flesh. Many have fallen and are no longer serving the Lord, but they did not set out to abandon God altogether. They had only planned to enjoy life a bit.

C. Their Living

And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. Here we find a totally different desire and living arrangement.

What began as a desire to sojourn developed into continuing in Moab. Rather than a temporary dwelling, they had now settled down and were quite comfortable with their new home.

As time went on, they likely thought little of Bethlehem and the life they lived before. Are you getting the picture?

We can’t dabble in sin, expecting to please the flesh for a season and leave whenever we choose.

Far too often what begins as a temporary arrangement or a “one time affair” turns into an extended stay. Sin will take you farther than you expected to go, keep you longer than you intended to stay, and cost far more than you want to pay.

III. A Devastating Land

A Place of Discipline –

Living in sin is never without consequence.

The names of Elimelech’s sons bear witness to that fundamental truth. Mahlon means “sick” and Chilion means “pining, wasting away.” Keep in mind that the children were born before they left for Moab. Likely they had already wandered from the Lord in their hearts. God had sent a warning prior to their departure for Moab.

B. A Place of Disobedience

And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

It is apparent in various passages that God was displeased with his people marrying among the heathen nations. He warned against it and commanded that they refrain from such practices.

However, Mahlon and Chilion took wives of Moab.

Their brief stay turned into a ten year period of disobedience.

If you dwell among the world, apart from God long enough, eventually you will embrace the ideals of the world. You will get to the place that you no longer remember the land of your heritage and begin to embrace the ways of the world. Dwelling apart from God will result in disobedience!

Illustration - Patty Lee Junkin HS Picture

C. A Place of Death

And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. [5a] And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them;

Death occurred while dwelling in Moab.

We cannot say with absolute certainty that this was a result of God’s judgment, but it very well could have been. He had sent the famine as a call to repent.

Their sons were a testimony to the lives they were living and yet they continued in their sinful ways. God is patient and loving, but He is also holy!

Disobedience may not always result in physical death, but it will always affect us spiritually. We cannot lose our salvation, but we can feel dead spiritually and render ourselves of no use to God. That is not living!

D. A Place of Desolation -

and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

Sin brought desolation and despair to Naomi.

She lost those whom she loved the most. She was now a stranger in a foreign land, separated from her family in death.

Rest assured that the end result of sin is never pretty or desirable. It will always end in pain and suffering. I have never met one who rejoiced that they had wandered from God in sin.

Consider the homes and lives that are ruined today because of sin.

Illustration

IV. A Defining Land

Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. Here we find the grace of God extended to the undeserving. These elements will always be present when we deal with our sin. A.

Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. Here we find the grace of God extended to the undeserving. These elements will always be present when we deal with our sin. A.

A Place of Remembrance –

After all of the wasted time and devastation, Naomi remembered Bethlehem.

She heard that God had been faithful, visiting His people, and providing bread.

She longed for home. The journey back to God must begin with remembrance. We must remember Him and desire to return home. He will be as the prodigal’s father watching and awaiting our return.

B. A Place of Repentance –

– These verses don’t specifically say, but it is evident that Naomi had a repentant heart. She realized that Moab had brought nothing but defeat, despair, and death. She wanted to return to Bethlehem and sought restoration. Simply remembering our fellowship with God isn’t enough. We must reach the place that we are willing to repent and seek His forgiveness. We must abandon Moab and seek the joy of the Lord and His holiness.

These verses don’t specifically say, but it is evident that Naomi had a repentant heart. She realized that Moab had brought nothing but defeat, despair, and death.

She wanted to return to Bethlehem and sought restoration. Simply remembering our fellowship with God isn’t enough.

We must reach the place that we are willing to repent and seek His forgiveness. We must abandon Moab and seek the joy of the Lord and His holiness.

C. A Place of Returning –

Naomi determined in her heart to return to the land of Judah.

She had dwelt in Moab long enough and it was time to go home. The scars and pain of Moab were still there, but she had come to herself and realized her need.

Many today need to arise from their Moab and begin the journey home. The consequences of sin will likely remain.

Time lost cannot be retrieved, but that is no reason to remain away from God. He is a loving God and He will forgive, but we must make our way toward Him.

In these beginning verses we see the devastation of sin. Our lives are all different, but the results of sin are much the same.

We serve a God of grace and mercy who will allow us to return from Moab.

If you are dwelling there, it is time to come home!