Three's Company

Opening:

Story

The story is told of a woman involved in bitter fighting with her husband. Seeking professional help she was asked by the counselor, "Have you tried heaping coals of fire on his head?" to which she responded, “No, but I tried a skillet of hot grease!"

Intro/Recap

Restored

Leaving the Land of Desolation and Return to the Land of Favor

Naomi – A Woman of Compromise (8-13 & 19-22)

Her Influence (6-7)

We find that Naomi had an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of her daughters-in-law.

We may stray from the Lord and wander from the path that He has chosen for us, but His Spirit never leaves us.

Her Indifference (8-9)

Naomi had the opportunity to be a positive witness to those who did not know the LORD.

At that moment they were ready to follow her wherever she chose to go

In her pain and suffering she became indifferent to their needs.

she's bitter look at Verses 20-21

Pleasant Vs. Bitter

Sin never brings joy.

Christians today, content to dwell in their Moab, have lost their zeal for the Lord.

Her Insinuation (10-13)

Naomi has resigned to defeat. She has all but given up.

She Lacked Hope (10-13a)

She Lacked Help (13b)

Orpah – A Woman of Confusion (15)

She chose the Old Lifestyle

She went back to her people.

She chose the Old Loyalties

Orpah also went back to her gods. (Chemosh)

She Suffered the Old Loss

Remember that Moab was a place that rejected the favor of God.

Ruth – A Woman of Conviction (16-17)

She Abandoned Herself (16-17)

Moab was all that Ruth had ever known.

Ruth abandoned her past as well as her desires, for a new beginning.

She Accepted the Lord (16b)

She chose the God of Israel rather than the gods of this world.

She makes a oath to YahWeh - An Oath of Punishment

she's all in