Ruth 1 - God Walks With Us...
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction:
The Bible is full of accounts involving difficulties in the lives of people. It is clear that after sin entered the world in Genesis 3 that life started getting much more difficult. Today we see tragedy after tragedy.
This very week we saw a tragedy at Oxford High School in Michigan where 4 teens were killed and others were injured. In a world full of tragedy and trials, how are we to continue along in our Christian walk? How do we keep from losing hope as we stare in the face of difficult circumstances?
There is only one way that we can do this. Only by the power of God walking with us and working through us can we keep moving forward.
Today we are going to be starting a four week series through the book of Ruth. We are going to see a woman - Naomi - who understands tragedy up close and personal. And today we are going to see how, despite the dire circumstances and trials that she faced, God was walking with her all along the way. May we be encouraged knowing that this same God walks with us even today.
Let us pray.
Prayer
This first chapter gives us three difficult times that we may need reminded that God is still walking with us. The first is:
I. God Walks With Us...In Times of Tragedy (1-7)
I. God Walks With Us...In Times of Tragedy (1-7)
1 In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. 3 But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons.
4 These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, 5 and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. 6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. 7 So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.
This is an extremely heavy beginning of a book! These first 7 verses are packed with drama and a whirlwind of tragedy. I want us to walk through the verses and then see what we can learn from them.
Lets start in verse 1 and work our way through this.
1 In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.
First we see that this book is set up in the time when the judges ruled. This was a very difficult time in Israel’s history. There was no real consistent leadership. In fact, we see the difficulties of this era in Israel’s history in the book of Judges twice as we see in 17:6 and 21:25 the following statement:
6 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
The book of Judges is fraught with moral failings and godlessness.
1 In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.
It is during this time period that there is a famine that comes in the land. This famine was likely a judgment of God on the people of Israel. Israel was given a conditional covenant. If they obeyed the Lord - things would go well. If not - judgment would come.
Many people today try to apply that understanding to us today and can’t seem to understand why bad things happen even when we are doing what we are supposed to be doing. Yet we are under grace and not a covenant of works as New Covenant believers. We now are blessed with the Holy Spirit that walks with us day by day. We don’t need external situations to confirm whether we are in the will of God or not. We can have confirmation through the peace and conviction of the Holy Spirit. And I might add that it is just as much of a blessing that we don’t receive harsh judgments from the Lord like Israel did as we are under grace! We receive discipline as sons and daughters of the King - but not the judgments that Israel experienced!
2 The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there.
Next we are introduced to the family of Elimelech. Elimelech, which means ‘God is King,’ comes from the tribe of Judah from around the area of Bethlehem. As we enter this Christmas season, remember where Elimelech is from and what tribe he is from. We are given his wife’s name, Naomi, which means ‘pleasant.’ However, we are also given his two sons names which are Mahlon and Chilion which are thought to mean ‘weak’ or ‘ill.’
Elimelech - “God is King”
Naomi - “Pleasant”
Mahlon and Chilion - “weak, ill”
These very names also set up some drama. We are given the parents names which are very hopeful names. Yet the sons names point to a future disaster or tragedy to come. And we are also introduced to a decision that is made - a decision to go to the land of Moab.
You can see that journey on this map. It wasn’t a terribly long trip as Moab was a near neighbor to Israel. However, it wasn’t the best place for them to go.
You see Moab was not exactly the best nation in the world. Their origins are found in Genesis 19:30-38 which is a disturbing section of Scripture in which Lot is made intoxicated by his daughters in order for them to continue their lineage. One of those children born from this sinful, incestuous act was named Moab. Not only was this nation formed as a result of sin, but it was also the nation that tried to curse Israel three times as their king, Balak, tried to get Balaam to pronounce a judgment on Israel (Numbers 21-22). Furthermore, Judges 3:12-31 shows us that under King Eglon, the king of Moab, they ruled harshly over the Israelites until the judge of Israel at the time - Ehud - killed King Eglon.
This was not the most ideal of places for this Israelite family to flee. Yet this is where they went.
3 But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, 5 and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.
The next three verses - 3-5 - give us the tragedies of a lifetime all in a few verses which span no more than 10 years. Naomi loses her husband and two sons and is left without any provider. In a patriarchal society, she is left without any head of the family and appears to be doomed to being a destitute and poor widow.
6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. 7 So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.
Yet in the middle of these great tragedies, we see hope arise. Verse 6 shows that she has heard that God had visited her people! The judgment of God was relenting and He was again giving them food. The land called Bethlehem which ironically means ‘house of bread’ went from being destitute to blessed. Bread was being restored to the house! So she and her daughters-in-law start their journey back to the land of Naomi - back to Bethlehem.
My friends, God can take broken things and make beautiful things from them.
Isaiah 61:1-3 (cited by Jesus in Luke 4:18-19).
1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
You may be at a point in your life where you finished Thanksgiving and really struggled to find things you were actually thankful for. Life is difficult. Tragedy may have just struck you as it had Naomi. Yet, God walks with you even in times of tragedy. And He is able to turn your tragedy into triumph. He is ready to exchange your ashes for beauty, mourning for gladness, a faint spirit to a garment of praise.
You see - the Triumphal Entry of Christ (Luke 19:28-40) was one of the most confusing things of all. Christ took a Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem knowing that He would be crucified a week later. Yet, triumph He still did! 3 days later after His crucifixion, He rose from the dead! Brothers and sisters, we can walk triumphantly, even in the midst of tragedy because we have victory through Jesus’ power.
We can have hope for our future because we know who holds it.
My friend, take one step at a time. God will guide you if you have repented of your sins, submitted your life to Him, and placed your faith and trust in the Savior - Jesus Christ.
Know that God walks with you even in times of tragedy. And know He also...
Scripture References: Judges 17:6, 21:5; Gen 19:30-38; Numbers 21-22; Judges 3:12-31, Isaiah 61:1-3 (Luke 4:18-19), Luke 19:28-40
II. God Walks With Us...In Times of Turbulence (8-18)
II. God Walks With Us...In Times of Turbulence (8-18)
8 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May 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 of you in the house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10 And they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.”
11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, 13 would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake 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, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth said, “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.
17 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.” 18 And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.
After reading this section of Scripture, I think the term turbulence comes to mind quickly.
Times of Turbulence
Naomi is setting out with her daughters-in-law (v7)
Then she tells them to go back home (v8)
Then they say no and cling to her (v10)
Then Orpah heads back home (v14-15)
Then Ruth joins her and refuses to leave her side (v16-18)
This is quite the dramatic interchange! One can only imagine the inward struggle of Naomi. She knows that these two ladies do not have much hope with a poor widow like herself. They would likely prosper much more with a husband and family. Yet I am sure there is somewhat of a desire for her to have companionship. Why else did she wait until they had started the journey to tell them to go back home? The thought of going on this journey alone as a woman would likely be terrifying.
Then there is the kicker - bringing back Moabite women to Israel. She was bound to know there would be problems for them among the Israelites. These unclean, foreign women would be unlikely to be welcomed into the people of Israel. How could she get a husband for them from her own people when her own people despised the Moabites? The Moabite people were not kind to Israel and they were idolatrous pagan worshipers. They were known for their child sacrifice to the god Chemosh. How could Naomi take these women back to her people who despised their homeland of Moab so much?
Despite the likely inward struggle, Naomi becomes firm on her decision to send the ladies back to their households. Her interchange with them shows selflessness on her part - but also a theological deficiency on her part as well. Although these women would be in for some cultural drama - they would be able to continue worshiping the One True God - Yahweh - that they had learned about from Naomi and her husband and sons. Yet, she encourages them to go back to their own people. And in verse 15 we see her even tell Ruth after Orpah had already started the journey back to Moab that she should go back to her people and her gods. This seems selfless and kind but it actually is a very condemning statement! By sending these women back home, she is virtually guaranteeing no chance of salvation for them.
I think we have an important lesson and principle here that is prevalent among our postmodern society today.
For those of you who do not understand what postmodernism is - it is the belief that two truths can be diametrically opposed to one another and still both be true.
A faulty postmodern belief would be like this: you can be a Christian and be saved or you can be a Muslim and be saved. The postmodern would say that it is more about your experience and how true you are to your belief than the fact that what you belief is actually true. In fact, many postmoderns do not even believe in absolute truth.
By sending these women back to their people and to their gods - Naomi would be misunderstanding or misrepresenting what is truly important in life. This life isn’t about material wealth, social acceptance, protection from harm, or comfort. Our lives are for the worship and glorification of our God.
Naomi appears to be missing the exclusivity of Yahweh (the covenant name for God with Israel) here and this is a dangerous theology. During this exchange, Orpah goes back to her homeland but Ruth clings to her and refuses to leave her side.
Despite the objections of Naomi, Ruth makes one of the most powerful statements of commitment to Naomi seen in Scripture. It is so powerful that many quote this in marriage ceremonies!
Ruth 1:16–18 (ESV)
16 But Ruth said, “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. 17 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.” 18 And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more. (Ruth 1:16-18 ESV - emphasis mine)
Ruth’s vow is unto death. Her allegiance to Naomi as well as to Yahweh here seems unshakable.
Naomi and Ruth have both went through terrible tragedy and loss. And now there has been a great turbulence as these women have had such a dramatic interchange. Yet God continues walking with them on their journey. His sovereignty is guiding and directing Naomi and now also Ruth.
Some commentators do not see this as a conversion experience for Ruth. However I see this certainly as a conversion for her. She has chosen Yahweh and God’s people over the gods of Moab and her own people. She has become willing to give up everything she knows for the One True God.
Isn’t that what salvation is today and being born again really is? That despite our tragedies and turbulence. Despite the trials and the things that don’t make sense. That we are willing to give up everything for Christ? Absolutely my friends. Here is a story of salvation. Today, we may be saved through faith and trust in Jesus Christ. We must be willing to leave all else behind, repent of our sins, and turn toward Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins, rose three days later, and now welcomes us with open arms.
2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Today is the day of salvation my friends. If you have not placed your trust fully in Christ - I urge you to do so today. He is faithful, merciful, and kind. He will welcome you with open arms. Respond to His drawing and His kindness. He promises to walk with you - in tragedy - in turbulence - and finally - He will walk with you....
Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 6:2
III. God Walks With Us...In Times of Tribulation (19-22)
III. God Walks With Us...In Times of Tribulation (19-22)
19 So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” 20 She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.
21 I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
She has come back home now. She has come in faith after hearing the good news that the famine was gone. She acknowledges the sovereignty of God in her statements. Yet she also comes home marred by sin. She has become bitter. She does not acknowledge the grace that God has brought to her and her people by relenting the famine. There is also no sign of repentance from her. She and her husband and sons had left their people and traveled to a foreign land and given their sons to foreign women - despite the warnings and commands against this. She misses God’s grace in the midst of her sinful choices. She misses God’s grace in providing Ruth - a foreign woman who became a part of her family because of a sinful union - yet a person who God has redeemed by His grace.
You see, grace didn’t start with Jesus’ death. The Bible lets us know that our God is unchanging.
6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
God does not change. He offered grace in the Old Testament and He offers grace today as well. How this grace was offered then and now has changed. But the character of God has not. He is consistent in his ways.
Despite this grace, Naomi asks that she be called Mara. This is a reference from Exodus 15:23-25
23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. 24 And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them,
Mara - or Marah - meant bitter. She was bitter because of her tribulation. The definition of tribulation is great suffering. This is a very fitting word for Naomi at this point in her life. She has suffered in Moab and now it is clear that she is likely suffering from shame in her seemingly empty return from Moab to her people.
Yet as we move to the end of this section we get to verse 22:
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
Just like the waters of Marah that were bitter and undrinkable were made drinkable and pleasant by the Lord’s great miracle - We end the chapter with hope that there might be blessing around the corner. We end the chapter with a glimmer of hope that the bitter woman (Mara) can become the pleasant woman (Naomi) once again. There is hope because the harvest has begun. There is hope because God is moving. And there is hope because Naomi is about to see that:
God is still walking with her:
Even in times of tragedy
Even in times of turbulence
Even in times of tribulation
Scripture References: Malachi 3:6, Psalm 102:27, Hebrews 13:8, Exodus 15:23-25
Conclusion:
As we come to a close, I pray that you understand the goodness and grace of our Lord and Savior. He continues to walk with us even in the darkest of paths. He is faithful and will not forget or forsake His children. Keep moving forward in your Christian walk - knowing that God is right there walking with you - not only as your confidant, counselor, and friend - but also as your source of strength, power, and direction that comes through Holy Spirit indwelling you. Walk in confidence - knowing that he will never leave or forsake you if you are a child of God.
Let us pray.
Prayer
If you would like to learn more about salvation through Jesus Christ or want to obey Jesus by obeying the first commandment of a believer in going through the waters of baptism - please let me know.
Have a blessed week.