Ruth_1

Scripture

 

Ruth‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭

 

“In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

A severe famine had hit the land of Judah. A man originally from Bethlehem, who now resides in Judah, named Elimelech, took his wife Naomi, and his two sons Mahlon and Kilion to live in the country, which wasn’t affected by the famine, Moab. One problem though, Israel and the people of Moab did not have a happy history. You see, the Moabites and their descendants were excluded from the congregation of Israel for 10 generations because of their idolatry (Deut. 23:1-4). And now you have Elimelech, (whose name means “My God is King”), take his family away from the land God has given them, to move to a land which He did not particularly approve of.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

Trust God through the good times and the bad times.

 

Now I’m sure we all know the book of Ruth thoroughly by now from Pastor’s sermon series on it a couple months ago. But I just wanted to refresh our memories from it.

 

Elimelech, the spiritual leader in his household, made a “business decision” he thought was best for his family here. Instead of trusting that God would provide, he tried to solve the problem himself by moving his family away from the land that God had given them. It would be a decision that would cost him dearly. Soon after his decision to move to Moab, Elimelech lost his own life, and also the lives of his two sons, leaving his wife widowed. Elimelech forgot the meaning of his name, “My God is King”. If he would of remembered it, he would of realized that he should have submitted to God’s ways, instead of doing it his own way. It’s a life lesson I know I can learn from. To know that when life’s troubles comes my way, am I going to trust my ways over His? Or am I willing to stand firmly in my faith, in my belief in Jesus? To know that nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26) and that I can do all things through Him who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13).

 

Life Application

 

Walk by faith, not by sight.

 

Father God, help me to be a man who leads my family according to Your will and Your ways. May Your Holy Spirit continue to guide me and direct me in those ways. Help me to be that man who walks by faith not by sight. I know that even though things may look tough and there may be rough roads ahead, may You give me the discipline to ultimately trust in You, Your faithfulness , and Your goodness. May I seek Your purpose for me through it all Lord. In Your Holy name I pray, Amen.

 

-Moses Gaddi

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