Untitled Sermon (2)

I lost everything - my apartment, I was flunking out of college and I had no money. Finally I was hospitalized and spent two months in the hospital. I was put on medication. I About a year and a half ago after my hospitalization, the voices went away. I was very happy. I have been discriminated against because of this diagnosis. For example, I had a job at a restaurant. My boss knew I was a member of a psycho-social club, a place where the psychiatrically disabled got jobs, socialized and trained for work. The Director got the job for me at the restaurant. The owner wouldn’t let me wait tables, even though I had experience. So I bussed tables and didn’t get any tips from the other waitresses for helping them. None of the other waitresses were friendly and they all hung out together and ignored me. The way I have coped with this illness has been to take my medicine, eat well, get enough sleep and make sure to structure my day and not isolate. I also go to therapy and talk about what is bothering me in order to learn how to cope with situations. Returning Home

Opening: Turn to Ruth ch. 1. We don't like hypocrites. We don't like people who say one thing and do another. We root against people who think they are perfect and act imperfectly. But, we root for those who fall, who admit their mistakes, and step back into the arena, with flaws for all to see, to overcome their challenges, pain, and setbacks to accomplish something great. We all love a comeback. Everyone loves a comeback story! And we love a miraculous, improbable comeback story that features an imperfect, relatable hero even more. Their failures have been both seen and well documented by everyone. The critics said they couldn’t or wouldn’t.

Everyone loves a comeback story! And we love a miraculous, improbable comeback story that features an imperfect, relatable hero even more. Their failures have been both seen and well documented by everyone. The critics said they couldn’t or wouldn’t.

But they didn't give up. We cheer because we know how hard they worked and how much courage it took for them to battle through all the adversity, all the pain, all the doubt, and all the personal challenges. The world tries to define us by the mistakes of our past. But history defines us by how we responded, how we learned, improved, made amends, persevered and what you accomplished afterwards. scandal infidelity A few weeks ago we began an exciting brand new series through the book of Ruth.

Most will tell you the tougher part is having to lie in bed at home for a few weeks, regaining their strength. But, this is the normal necessary process to “comeback” from an illness like pneumonia. A few weeks ago we began an exciting new series through the book of Ruth.

Last time we consider choices and consequences and we saw how even when bad choices are made God is in the background and can still work all things for the good for His children who are called according to His purposes (). This morning we pick up the story with Naomi dealing with a cumulative triple whammy. She lost her husband which by itself would be enough grief to last most people for the rest of their life. Then ten years later she suffers the equally painful double-barreled loss of her only two sons: Mahlon and Chilion (1:5).

The world tries to define us by the mistakes of our past. But history defines us by how we responded, how we learned, improved, made amends, persevered and what you accomplished afterwards. scandal infidelity A few weeks ago we began an exciting brand new series through the book of Ruth. Last time we consider choices and consequences and we saw how even when bad choices are made God is in the background and can still work all things for the good for His children who are called according to His purposes ().

I finally was hospitalized and spent two months in the hospital. I was put on medi- cation. I had lost everything - my apartment, I was flunking out of college and I had no money. About a year and a half ago after my hospitalization, the voices went away. I was very happy. Imagine hearing someone talk to you and not be able to see them. The voices teased me, made fun of me and scared me. I have been discriminated against because of this diagnosis. For example, I had a job at a restaurant. My boss knew I was a member of a psycho-social club, a place where the psychiatrically disabled got jobs, socialized and trained for work. The Director got the job for me at the restaurant. The owner wouldn’t let me wait tables, even though I had experience. So I bussed tables and didn’t get any tips from the other waitresses for helping them. None of the other wait- resses were friendly and they all hung out together and ignored me. The way I have coped with this illness has been to take my medicine, eat well, get enough sleep and make sure to structure my day and not isolate. I also go to therapy and talk about what is bothering me in order to learn how to cope with situations.

Luter, A. B. (2003). Expositions of the Book of Ruth. In Ruth & Esther: God behind the Seen (p. 31). Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications.

Last time we consider choices and consequences and we saw how even when bad choices are made God is in the background and can work all things for the good for His children who are called according to His purposes (Rom. 8:28). Naomi’s case, she was dealing with a cumulative triple whammy. Losing your spouse () would be enough grief to last most people for quite some time (in not a few cases, for the rest of their lives). But, it was only a matter of time (1:4) before Naomi would also suffer the equally painful double-barreled loss of her only beloved sons: Mahlon and Chilion (1:5).

This morning we pick up the story with Naomi dealing with a cumulative triple whammy. She lost her husband which by itself would be enough grief to last most people for the rest of their life. Then ten years later she suffers the equally painful double-barreled loss of her only two sons: Mahlon and Chilion (1:5). Naomi was not just at the bottom of the barrel in trying to sustain her existence without the financial support of husband or sons. The barrel had fallen on her with the overwhelming emotional force of finality and despair.

with a cumulative triple whammy. Losing your spouse () would be enough grief to last most people for quite some time (in not a few cases, for the rest of their lives). But, it was only a matter of time (1:4) before Naomi would also suffer the equally painful double-barreled loss of her only beloved sons: Mahlon and Chilion (1:5).

Just as there is a process to comeback from an illness, injury, adultery, or a scandal, there is process to work through to comeback from an emotionally and spiritually devastating loss such as grief. The comeback from grief is far more difficult and unpredictable than another other comeback. Unlike other comebacks grief comebacks are not neat and methodical. They vary greatly, not only from person to person, but even from one specific loss to another. This morning we are going to see that for God’s children, God is in the background even we lose our way turn our backs on God and go off into the far country. This morning we find Naomi not just at the bottom of the barrel but the barrel has fallen on her with the overwhelming emotional force of finality and despair.

Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread. 7 Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each to her mother’s house. The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.”

So she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10 And they said to her, “Surely we will return with you to your people.”

11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters, go—for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, 13 would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!”

14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

15 And she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.”

16 But Ruth said:

“Entreat me not to leave you,

Or to turn back from following after you;

For wherever you go, I will go;

And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;

Your people shall be my people,

And your God, my God.

17 Where you die, I will die,

And there will I be buried.

The Lord do so to me, and more also,

If anything but death parts you and me.”

18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.

19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?”

20 But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”

22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

Yes, Naomi was not just at the bottom of the barrel in trying to sustain her existence without the financial support of husband or sons. The barrel had fallen on her with the overwhelming emotional force of finality and despair. What could she do now, even just to survive physically? Her apparent options at the desperate point were extremely limited, as will be seen. She also initially perceived that, in the dire circumstances in which they found themselves, she and her widowed Moabite daughters-in-law (1:4) were actually more of a hindrance to each other than a help (1:8–13).

When Noami heard the good news( v. 6). The good news was that ‘the Lord had come to the aid of His people by providing food for them’. The news was not that the weather had changed, that the sowing conditions were good, or that the crops were starting to grow. As we saw from , the famine was from the Lord—an act of judgement because of his people’s rebellion against him. But in his wrath, the Lord remembers mercy. His anger lasts only a moment. The Lord, who commits himself to his undeserving people, now came to their aid.

When she heard …’ (v. 6). How Naomi heard in the days before telephone, e-mail, radio and television, we are not told, but good news has a way of spreading. The good news was that ‘the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them’. The news was not that the weather had changed, that the sowing conditions were good, or that the crops were starting to grow. All those things may have been true, but instead the news conveyed the truth that the Lord had acted to end the famine. As we saw from , the famine was from the Lord—an act of judgement because of his people’s rebellion against him. But in his wrath, the Lord remembers mercy. His anger lasts only a moment. The Lord, who commits himself to his undeserving people, now came to their aid.

Prime, J. (2007). Opening up Ruth (p. 35). Leominster: Day One Publications.

It is a challenging task for a toddler to learn to walk for the first time. But, it is even more frustrating, if not more difficult, for a person who has been either severely injured or paralyzed to begin to try to walk again. They remember what it was like before: then it was so easy and second-nature; now, it is painful and exhausting, or at the very least, awkward.

6Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread. 7herefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each to her mother’s house. The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9The Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.” So she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10And they said to her, “Surely we will return with you to your people.”

It had only been a few years since Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Orel Herschiser suffered what was then thought to be a career-ending rotator cup injury. Herschiser spoke very candidly about that dark and painful period of his life, only months after he had set the major league baseball record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched. After the necessary surgery, there was a period of time in which the desire to rehabilitate the shoulder was almost overwhelmed by the pain, fear, and discouragement. But, he did endure those excruciating early steps to come back and be All-Star pitcher in the MLB.

So she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10 And they said to her, “Surely we will return with you to your people.”

11But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12Turn back, my daughters, go—for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, 13would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!”

Our first ancestors, Adam and Eve, lived with God in the place provided for them. It was home. It was the place where they enjoyed a close relationship with God. Through their rebellion against God, they forfeited their residence in that perfect place. This reality has been repeated in the lives of all their descendants down to us, as we continue to ignore God and rebel against Him.

11But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12Turn back, my daughters, go—for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, 13would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!”

Our first ancestors, Adam and Eve, lived with God in the place provided for them. It was home. It was the place where they enjoyed a close relationship with God. Through their rebellion against God, they forfeited their residence in that perfect place. This reality has been repeated in the lives of all their descendants down to us, as we continue to ignore God and rebel against him. Naomi and her family chose to do what was right in their own eyes and rebelled against God and moved to Moab.

11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters, go—for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, 13 would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!”

Our first ancestors, Adam and Eve, lived with God in the place provided for them. It was home. It was the place where they enjoyed a close relationship with God. Through their rebellion against God, they forfeited their residence in that perfect place. This reality has been repeated in the lives of all their descendants down to us, as we continue to ignore God and rebel against Him.

Naomi was a woman of faith. She was a woman of prayer(vv. 8-9), she beleived

Our first ancestors, Adam and Eve, lived with God in the place provided for them. It was home. It was the place where they enjoyed a close relationship with God. Through their rebellion against God, they forfeited their residence in that perfect place. This reality has been repeated in the lives of all their descendants down to us, as we continue to ignore God and rebel against Him.

After ten years in Moab (1:4), where the family had initially gone to dodge the effects of a severe famine in Judah, the situation was ironically reversed. Now, Naomi was destitute in Moab and making the only reasonable decision to escape her desperate situation: “to return to the land of Judah” (1:7 nasb) as rapidly as possible! It is at this point that the initial reference to God in the Book of Ruth is found. The author states that, after the devastating period of famine, the Lord again “had graciously looked after his people”5 by providing them food (1:6).

When Noami heard the good news( v. 6). What was the good news?

This positive reflection of God’s good hand extended to his people is in stark contrast with Naomi’s later repeated expression of her affliction at the hands of the Lord (1:13, 20–21). The pain of loss she felt so intensely blinded her to ways in which the Lord was already at work in her life, providing the needed resources to sustain her life in the uncertain time ahead.

The good news was not that the weather had changed, that the sowing conditions were good, or that the crops were starting to grow. No, the good news was that ‘the Lord had come to the aid of His people by providing food for them’. It is this news that prompted Naomi to return home. Elimelech’s decision to leave Judah had not been a good one. He and his family should have stuck out the famine, waiting for the Lord to come to their aid. Instead they took matters into their own hands rebelled against God and did what was right in their own eyes.

Can we all agree that it was sin that caused Naomi and her family to go to Moab? So, we can say that it was sin the caused the death of her husband? The the death of Elimelech was directly related to his sin and indirectly related to Naomi. In other words Naomi experiences the consequence of Elimelech sin b/c she is associated w/him (she’s his wife). Then we have the death of her two boys which again is directly related to sin. But this time the responsibility is all on her. Once Elimelech died she could have taken her family back home but she didn’t and her boys grew up and married forbidden women. My point is that though it is true that Naomi was a godly woman, she had backslidden. This family is great illustration that Sin will take you father than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. When it comes to sin you get what you want, but you won’t want what you get.

When Noami heard the good news( v. 6). What was the good news? The good news was not that the weather had changed, that the sowing conditions were good, or that the crops were starting to grow. No, the good news was that ‘the Lord had come to the aid of His people by providing food for them’. It is this news that prompted Naomi to return ‘home’ the land of Judah in the Promised Land was her true home. Elimelech’s decision to leave Judah had not been a good one. He and his family should have stuck out the famine, waiting for the Lord to come to their aid.

The seeds of backsliding are in the hearts of all believers. All Christians have the potential to wander. Like sunbathers floating on blow-up beds on the sea, careless Christians can suddenly discover that they have drifted far from the Lord. It happens when we do as we see fit, instead of doing what the Lord says is fitting. Backsliding often happens when life is filled with things other than the things of God. The Lord will bring the backslider to an awareness of the emptiness of such things. God sometimes takes away the things that have become precious to us because they are supporting us in our life of sin and hardness of heart toward him.

It is this news that prompted Naomi to return ‘home’ the land of Judah in the Promised Land was her true home. Elimelech’s decision to leave Judah had not been a good one. He and his family should have stuck out the famine, waiting for the Lord to come to their aid. But news of the Lord coming to the aid of His people prompted Naomi to return, just as the Lord intended. It was His plan that she would return to Judah, as part of his coming to the aid of his people in a far greater way than simply providing food for them. Through Naomi returning home, the Lord was putting in place the people who would establish the family line into which the Lord Jesus would be born.

The seeds of backsliding are in the hearts of all believers. All Christians have the potential to wander. Like sunbathers floating on blow-up beds on the sea, careless Christians can suddenly discover that they have drifted far from the Lord. It happens when we do as we see fit, instead of doing what the Lord says is fitting. Backsliding often happens when life is filled with things other than the things of God. The Lord will bring the backslider to an awareness of the emptiness of such things. God sometimes takes away the things that have become precious to us because they are supporting us in our life of sin and hardness of heart toward him.

Backsliding often happens when life is filled with things other than the Lord Jesus and the affairs of his kingdom, choking the Word and making it unfruitful. Sometimes the Lord has to bring the backslider to an awareness of the emptiness of such things, to prepare the way for a renewed experience of the fullness found only in the Lord Jesus. God sometimes takes away the things that have become precious to us because they are supporting us in our life of sin and hardness of heart toward him.

The record of Naomi’s return proclaims the good news that backsliders can return to God.

Sin will take you father than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. When it comes to sin you get what you want, but you won’t want what you get. It

God sometimes takes away the things that have become precious to us because they are supporting us in our life of sin and hardness of heart toward him.

The Christian message is the news that the same Lord who came to the aid of His people in Naomi’s day has come to the aid of the world in the Lord Jesus Christ. When the tsunami devastated the coastlines of the Indian Ocean in December 2004, the news showed videos of airplanes dropping aid to remote, devastated areas. In this world, devastated by the bitter effects of human sin, God did not just drop aid from heaven, No, He came Himself. As the Bread of Life, the Lord Jesus gave His life on the cross to give life to all who will return to him. He died, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God. The Lord Jesus is the living bread that came down from heaven to give his life for the life of the world. For the backslider there is a way back to God. The backslider is prompted to return to God through the message of the cross.

The Christian message is the news that the same Lord who came to the aid of His people in Naomi’s day has come to the aid of the world in the Lord Jesus Christ. When the tsunami devastated the coastlines of the Indian Ocean in December 2004, the television news showed pictures of aircraft dropping down aid to remote, devastated areas. In this world, devastated by the bitter effects of human sin, God did not just drop aid from heaven, No, He came Himself. As the Bread of Life, the Lord Jesus gave His life on the cross to give life to all who will return to him. He died, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God. The Lord Jesus is the living bread that came down from heaven to give his life for the life of the world.

For the backslider there is a way back to God. The backslider is prompted to return to God through the message of the cross.

‘Those who are far off’ includes backsliding believers. The seeds of backsliding are in the hearts of all believers. All Christians have the potential to wander. Like sunbathers floating on blow-up beds on the sea, careless Christians can suddenly discover that they have drifted far from their Lord. It happens when we do as we see fit, instead of doing what the Lord says is fitting. The record of Naomi’s return proclaims the good news that backsliders can return to God. The same Lord who showed restoring kindness to his rebellious people, to individuals like David, Jonah and Peter, continues to show that same kindness to his wandering people today.

The good news is that the Lord Jesus has come to the aid of his people. The message of his cross is that there is a way back to God. It is as that message is made known that those who are far off are prompted to return to God. ‘Those who are far off’ includes backsliding believers. The seeds of backsliding are in the hearts of all believers. All Christians have the potential to wander. Like sunbathers floating on blow-up beds on the sea, careless Christians can suddenly discover that they have drifted far from their Lord. It happens when we do as we see fit, instead of doing what the Lord says is fitting. The record of Naomi’s return proclaims the good news that backsliders can return to God. The same Lord who showed restoring kindness to his rebellious people, to individuals like David, Jonah and Peter, continues to show that same kindness to his wandering people today.

What a challenging task for a toddler to learn to walk for the first time. But, it is even more frustrating, if not more difficult, for a person who has been severely injured or paralyzed to begin to try to walk again. They remember what it was like before: then it was so easy and second-nature; now, it is painful and exhausting, or at the very least, awkward.

It had only been a few years since Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Orel Herschiser suffered what was then thought to be a career-ending rotator cup injury. Herschiser spoke very candidly about that dark and painful period of his life, only months after he had set the Major League record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched. After the necessary surgery, there was a period of time in which the desire to rehabilitate the shoulder was almost overwhelmed by the pain, fear, and discouragement. But, he did endure those excruciating early steps to come back and be All-Star pitcher in the MLB.

If there is a believer here this morning who has wonder off, hear me, those first few steps of confession, repentance and recommitment back to God will be excruciating. Confession, repentance and recommitment that is the process by which we return to God, without them there will be no comeback for you! This is the way home. This is the way Naomi chose. Won’t this be your choice too? There is so much more that could be said here but we have to move on I am running out of time.

If there is a believer here this morning who has wonder off, hear me, those first few steps back to God will excruciating but they will be worth it!

There is so much more that could be said here but we have to move on I am running out of time.

14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. 15And she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.”

15And she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.”

Orpah looked her situation in life clearly in the face and made the necessary decisions by using exactly the same logic that Naomi had followed earlier: the fields of Moab looked far greener than the land of Israel. With that simple, sensible choice she marched off, out of the pages of the Bible. She went back to her people, and back to her gods. Yet though she certainly didn’t see it that way, there was nonetheless a cost to her logical choice.

Orpah looked her situation in life clearly in the face and made the necessary decisions by using exactly the same logic that Naomi had followed earlier: the fields of Moab looked far greener than the land of Israel. With that simple, sensible choice she marched off, out of the pages of the Bible. She went back to her people, and back to her gods. Yet though she certainly didn’t see it that way, there was nonetheless a cost to her logical choice. Who now remembers Orpah? She rejected the road to emptiness, but at the same time unknowingly turned aside from the one road that could have led her to a life of lasting significance and meaning. The world’s wise choice to avoid emptiness leads in the end to a different kind of oblivion.

When it looks like an airplane is about to crash, the smart thing to do is to don your parachute, then get out while the getting’s good. Unfortunately, this “bail out when things look bad” mentality has been frequently transferred to human relationships. Going your separate way when things are going bad is not only the natural thing to do, these days it is often viewed as the only logical thing to do. There may, of course, be incredibly painful, even dangerous, legitimate reasons in some cases. However, the decision too frequently boils down to taking the easy way out.

Going your separate way when things are going bad is not only the natural thing to do, it is today often viewed as the only logical thing to do. There may, of course, be incredibly painful, even dangerous, legitimate reasons in some cases. However, the decision too frequently boils down to taking the easy way out.

Here in v.14 and v.15 Orpah looked her situation in life in the face and made the necessary decisions by using exactly the same logic that Elimelech had followed earlier: the fields of Moab looked far greener than the land of Israel. With that simple, sensible choice she marched off, out of the pages of the Bible. She went back to her people, and back to her gods.

Up to a point, Orpah’s approach to life may work, granting us everything we ask of it. Who knows what happened to Orpah when she went home? Perhaps she met her Mr. Right, had a pack of children, and lived happily ever after in Moab. So too, for many people life works out relatively well, giving them in reasonable measure the things that they have sought. But in the process of pursuing the Moabite option, Orpah missed out on the one thing of true value in life: a living relationship with the Lord, the one true God. She chose with her eyes, just as Naomi and Elimelech had earlier, opting for the way of the world instead of the way of faith. Whether she found what she was looking for in Moab or not really doesn’t matter. Either way, she missed the pearl of great price. She failed to find friendship with Israel’s God, the only God that there is. The saddest part of Orpah’s story is that she probably never even knew what she was missing.

Closing:

Up to a point, Orpah’s approach to life may work, granting us everything we ask of it. Who knows what happened to Orpah when she went home? Perhaps she met her Mr. Right, had children, and lived happily ever after in Moab. So too, for many people life works out relatively well, giving them in reasonable measure the things that they have sought. But in the process of pursuing the Moabite option, Orpah missed out on the one thing of true value in life: a living relationship with the Lord, the one true God. She chose with her eyes, just as Naomi and Elimelech had earlier, opting for the way of the world instead of the way of faith. Whether she found what she was looking for in Moab or not really doesn’t matter. Either way, she missed the pearl of great price. She failed to find friendship with Israel’s God, the only God that there is. The saddest part of Orpah’s story is that she probably never even knew what she was missing. If you are this morning and are an unbeliever don’t be like Orpah and reject God. Repent of your sin and turn to Jesus.

Up to a point, Orpah’s approach to life may work, granting us everything we ask of it. Who knows what happened to Orpah when she went home? Perhaps she met her Mr. Right, had a pack of children, and lived happily ever after in Moab. So too, for many people life works out relatively well, giving them in reasonable measure the things that they have sought. But in the process of pursuing the Moabite option, Orpah missed out on the one thing of true value in life: a living relationship with the Lord, the one true God. She chose with her eyes, just as Naomi and Elimelech had earlier, opting for the way of the world instead of the way of faith. Whether she found what she was looking for in Moab or not really doesn’t matter. Either way, she missed the pearl of great price. She failed to find friendship with Israel’s God, the only God that there is. The saddest part of Orpah’s story is that she probably never even knew what she was missing.

Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that the Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot understand what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

Duguid, I. M. (2005). Esther and Ruth. (R. D. Phillips & P. G. Ryken, Eds.) (p. 149). Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing.

16 But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.” 18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her. 19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?”

15 And she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.”

16 But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.” 18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her. 19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?”

“Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.” 18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her. 19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?”

Or to turn back from following after you;

For wherever you go, I will go;

And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;

Your people shall be my people,

And your God, my God.

17 Where you die, I will die,

And there will I be buried.

The Lord do so to me, and more also,

If anything but death parts you and me.”

18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.

19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?”

20 But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

Then there was Ruth. Ruth was a nobody, an outsider, a Moabite of all things. There was nothing kosher about Ruth. She knew she would be about as welcome in Bethlehem as a ham sandwich at a bar mitzvah. Conventional wisdom shouted for Ruth to follow the way of Orpah, the most likely way of worldly security and significance. But Ruth was not Orpah and there was nothing conventional about her. She would not let Naomi go on alone to her empty future. She clung to her; here the text uses the same verb that is used in to describe the bond that exists in marriage. It is a word that describes loyalty. in other words Ruth was glued to her mother-in-law, and nothing and no one could send her away. But in an increasing commitment, Ruth poured out her heart to Naomi: 16 But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

Jesus taught there is a cost to following him (see ; ). To gain life, we must lose it first. This is not to say, of course, that there is not another side (compare ). However, Naomi was pressing on Orpah the cost of discipleship. Sadly, like the rich young ruler (; ; ), the demands of discipleship were too great for Orpah. That this is the issue here is seen in Naomi’s comment to Ruth: your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods (verse 15).

Each of these statements ratchets up the level of her commitment a notch higher. She is committing her life to Naomi, body and soul, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. In so doing, she is also committing her life to Naomi’s God, whom she calls as a witness by his personal name, the Lord. She is even willing to die and be buried in Naomi’s land—the land of Naomi’s God. She further binds herself to do this with an oath of self-imprecation. If she reneges on her promise, she invites the Lord—Naomi’s God—to stretch out his hand to strike her down. Here is an astonishing act of surrender and self-sacrifice. Ruth was laying down her entire life to serve Naomi and Naomi’s God.

Jesus taught there is a cost to following Him (see ; ). To gain life, we must lose it first. Naomi was pressing on Orpah the cost of discipleship. Sadly, like the rich young ruler (; ; ), the demands of discipleship were too great for Orpah. Christian preachers rarely seem to emphasise the cost of discipleship today. Perhaps they think that they won’t get any disciples that way! Naomi, however, was realistic. She knew it was essential to explain the full cost of discipleship to those who might show a desire to be God’s children.

Jesus taught there is a cost to following him (see ; ). To gain life, we must lose it first. This is not to say, of course, that there is not another side (compare ). However, Naomi was pressing on Orpah the cost of discipleship. Sadly, like the rich young ruler (; ; ), the demands of discipleship were too great for Orpah. That this is the issue here is seen in Naomi’s comment to Ruth: your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods (verse 15).

Christian preachers rarely seem to emphasise the cost of discipleship today. Perhaps they think that they won’t get any disciples that way! Naomi, however, was realistic. She knew it was essential to explain the full cost of discipleship to those who might show a desire to be God’s children.

In contrast to her sister-in-law, Ruth’s resolve was strengthened by Naomi’s challenge. If Orpah took the wordly option, Ruth embarked on the faith option. Thus, humbly she pledged her permanent commitment to Naomi, to her people and to her God. Her words show that she had counted the cost and was resolved on a permanent life of discipleship. So, burning all her bridges behind her, Ruth says, ‘Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.

Closing: So what does this passage say to us? In the first place, it addresses us as people who are just like Ruth. At one time or another we were all outsiders to the gospel, outsiders to grace, by nature objects of God’s wrath, even if we grew up in a Christian home. By nature, we were dead in our transgressions and sins, as Paul puts it (). We all need a new birth—to be born of the Spirit, as Jesus told Nicodemus—in order to enter the kingdom of God (). Like Ruth, as natural-born outsiders, we cannot simply slide into the kingdom. We are all faced with a crucial choice at some point in our lives, a dividing of the ways. We can continue to seek our security and significance in the world’s way, as Orpah did. We can seek to find meaning and value in our career, our family, our health, or our wealth. Or, alternatively, we can choose the way of Ruth.

So what does this passage say to us? In the first place, it addresses us as people who are just like Orpah and Ruth. Like Orpah and Ruth, there was nothing kosher about us when we were born. On the contrary, we were outsiders to the gospel, outsiders to grace, by nature objects of God’s wrath, even if we grew up in a Christian home. By nature, we were dead in our transgressions and sins, as Paul puts it (). We all need a new birth—to be born of the Spirit, as Jesus told Nicodemus—in order to enter the kingdom of God ().

Closing:

Like Orpah and Ruth, as natural-born outsiders, we cannot simply slide into the kingdom. We are all faced with a crucial choice at some point in our lives, a dividing of the ways. We can continue to seek our security and significance in the world’s way, as Orpah did. We can seek to find meaning and value in our career, our family, our health, or our wealth. Or, alternatively, we can choose the way of Ruth.

Then there was Ruth. Ruth was a nobody, an outsider, a Moabite of all things. There was nothing kosher about Ruth. She knew she would be about as welcome in Bethlehem as a ham sandwich at a bar mitzvah. Conventional wisdom shouted for Ruth to follow the way of Orpah, the most likely way of worldly security and significance. But Ruth was not Orpah and there was nothing conventional about her. She would not let Naomi go on alone to her empty future. She clung to her; here the text uses the same verb (davaq) that is used in to describe the bond that exists in marriage. It is a word that describes loyalty to a covenant commitment. Ruth was glued to her mother-in-law, and nothing and no one could send her away. Naomi said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law” (). But in a crescendo of commitment, Ruth poured out her heart to Naomi: “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you” ().

Duguid, I. M. (2005). Esther and Ruth. (R. D. Phillips & P. G. Ryken, Eds.) (pp. 142–143). Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing.

Closing: So what does this passage say to us? In the first place, it addresses us as people who are just like Ruth. Like Ruth, there was nothing kosher about us when we were born. On the contrary, we were outsiders to the gospel, outsiders to grace, by nature objects of God’s wrath, even if we grew up in a Christian home. By nature, we were dead in our transgressions and sins, as Paul puts it (). We all need a new birth—to be born of the Spirit, as Jesus told Nicodemus—in order to enter the kingdom of God (). Like Ruth, as natural-born outsiders, we cannot simply slide into the kingdom. We are all faced with a crucial choice at some point in our lives, a dividing of the ways. We can continue to seek our security and significance in the world’s way, as Orpah did. We can seek to find meaning and value in our career, our family, our health, or our wealth. Or, alternatively, we can choose the way of Ruth.

Secondly it addresses Christians. Our journey through life as Christians involves learning to trust the Lord’s loving providence in life’s changing scenes. We need to recognize that even the bitter experiences of life that leave us feeling empty are within his control and are designed for our good. John Berridge, an eighteenth-century Christian, wrote to a friend, ‘Sitting comfortably on the beach is very sweet after a stormy voyage; but I tell you, you will find it more difficult to walk closely with Jesus in the sunshine than in a storm, in easy circumstances than in difficult ones. A Christian never falls asleep in the fire or in the water, but grows drowsy in the sunshine.’

Our journey through life as Christians involves learning to trust the Lord’s loving providence in life’s changing scenes. We need to recognize that even the bitter experiences of life that leave us feeling empty are within his control and are designed for our good. John Berridge, an eighteenth-century Christian, wrote to a friend, ‘Sitting comfortably on the beach is very sweet after a stormy voyage; but I fancy you will find it more difficult to walk closely with Jesus in a calm than in a storm, in easy circumstances than in difficult ones. A Christian never falls asleep in the fire or in the water, but grows drowsy in the sunshine.’

Let’s face it! It may be the rebuilding of homes from hurricanes in Florida, from flooding up and down the Mississippi Valley or earthquakes in California. It may be more personal setbacks, ranging from severe diseases, injuries, or grief to robbery or bankruptcy. But, lumped together, there are people everyday who are in need of a comeback. If tragedy hasn’t hit close to you, it could well be just a matter of time. The smart thing to do is heed the truth of ; Be prepared and be committed! SWP

Let’s face it! It may be the rebuilding of homes from hurricanes in Florida, from flooding up and down the Mississippi Valley or earthquakes in California. It may be more personal setbacks, ranging from severe diseases, injuries, or grief to robbery or bankruptcy. But, lumped together, there are as many people in need of comebacks as ever today. If tragedy hasn’t hit close to home with you, it could well be just a matter of time. The smart thing to do is combine the Boy Scout motto with the central truth of : Be prepared and be committed (1:16–17)!

Untitled Sermon (2)

Returning Home

1. Returning to God (vv.6-13)

1. Returning to God (vv.6-13)

1. Returning Home (vv.6-7)

Naomi was

2. Rejecting God (vv. 8-21)

2. Rejecting God (vv.8-21)

3. Embracing God (vv. 14-22)

2. Rejecting God (vv.8-21)

2. Rejecting God (vv.14-15)

3. Embracing God (vv. 16-22)

3. Embracing God (vv. 16-22)

3. Receiving God (vv.16-22)

3. Receiving God (vv.16-22)

Untitled Sermon (2)

Returning Home

​

1. Returning to God (vv.6-13)

1. Returning to God (vv.6-13)

1. Returning Home (vv.6-7)

Naomi was

2. Rejecting God (vv. 8-21)

2. Rejecting God (vv.8-21)

3. Embracing God (vv. 14-22)

2. Rejecting God (vv.8-21)

2. Rejecting God (vv.14-15)

3. Embracing God (vv. 16-22)

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3. Embracing God (vv. 16-22)

3. Receiving God (vv.16-22)

3. Receiving God (vv.16-22)