Some years ago I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely Christian in a hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia. Follow your sister-in-law back home! (Ruth 1:15). Her commitment is not just to Naomi; it is a lifetime commitment to Israel and to her God. (February 22, 2023). Im an Assyrian not a Syrian. They would be a reminder that Naomis sons their husbands had not married Israelite wives. Think of it: Naomi and her husband leave the land where God promised to bless them. I believe the opening words of A Tale of Two Cities go like this: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . Surely these words aptly describe Ruth in the period of the judges. It is no wonder that Naomi speaks to her daughters-in-law about husbands, marriage, and children, because this is what is on her mind. May the Lord show you the same kind of devotion that you have shown to your deceased husbands and to me! where did these children come from? (Isaiah 49:20-21). Put another way, the title of this book is Ruth, not Orpah. Posted on September 7, 2005 By Rabbi Dr. Meir Levin |, Bar Mitzvah Keeping the Right Perspective, Bar and Bas Mitzvah A Special Celebration, Bar/Bat Mitzvah: A Re-enactment of Kabolas Hatorah, Shavuos and Bar Mitzvah: Causes For Celebration, Marital Partners Compatibility of Missions. HADAD , an early Semitic god, first appears in texts written in the Old Akkadian dialect and in Eblaite (third millennium). Who would want Naomi for a mother-in-law? Ruth is never dealt with as a second-class believer. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. T -6d$zA ^C(D`Ed8 BR. God had just destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of their great sin. All rights reserved. Naomi, so to speak, put all of her eggs into one basket marriage and bearing children. "Elimelech Not even death would separate them. Surely you would not remain unmarried all that time! Had you done so, you would have been able to even withstand Gods anger (Petichta Ruth Rabbah 5). Naomi not only disregards the Abrahamic Covenant, she also urges Ruth (and Orpah) to do likewise. She then kissed both of them, a very clear signal of dismissal. (8) All of this leads me to conclude that Naomi is not an example of faith, but an excellent example of Israels poor spiritual health. The name (Phoen. What a difference it makes to believe in a God who is in absolute control and who is also merciful and gracious, causing all things to work together for our good and for His glory, if we believe in Him. As you will recall, Mrs. 7 Now as she and her two daughters-in-law began to leave the place where she had been living to return to the land of Judah, 8 Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Listen to me! It would seem to be significant that Naomi told Ruth that Orpah had returned to her god. He stood and surrounded it with rebuilt walls from three directions. A wolf approached and he fought the wolf. 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. Mahlon chose a young woman named Ruth, but he also died shortly thereafter. Hebrews 12:6,10,11 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth, Elimelech -- 'God is king', the husband of Naomi, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular, Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular, Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there, Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also, dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her, Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies her, The two come to Bethlehem, where they are gladly received, OT History: Ruth 1:3 Elimelech Naomi's husband died (Ru Rut. Like a faithful shepherd whose corral- fence fell as darkness approached. 3 I will bless those who bless you, but the one who treats you lightly I must curse, and all the families of the earth will bless one another by your name (Genesis 12:1-3, emphasis mine). When they entered Bethlehem, the whole village was excited about their arrival. The barley harvest will play a significant role in moving this story forward in the next two chapters. The woman was left of her two sons and her husband , The Lord had visited his people in giving them bread . 3 Then Elimelech, Naomis husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. 22 Feb. 2023 . Perhaps one reason why the author does not make a major point out of the theme of divine judgment is because his purpose is to emphasize divine mercy, not only as God provided food for His people, but also in His providential provision of a family and a posterity for Naomi and Elimelech. Naomi counseled Orpah and Ruth to do what seemed right in their eyes. The story of Ruth and Boaz (yes, and even Naomi) should encourage us to live godly lives in dark days, days of unbelief, disobedience, and disregard for the Word of God. WebBecause of a severe famine in Judea, he emigrated to the land of Moab with his wife and his sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Who would want a Moabite wife, especially a widow? In this emergency, she was proposing an unconventional solution to their problem. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/elimelech, "Elimelech No details, however, are given, as, on the one hand, no blame is attached to the conduct WebDeutsches Jungforschernetzwerk - juFORUM e.V. Those who place too much emphasis on marriage and child bearing should listen well to these words of Scripture: 6 He bends down to look at the sky and the earth. Naomis second effort13 will be less subtle and more pointed and forceful. It would also seem that Naomis barrenness was divinely imposed.18, (5) Moab was not the place of Gods promised blessings; Israel was.19. They would be (or so it may have seemed to Naomi) a liability to her when she returned. In an effort to escape the famine, a man named Elimelech took his family to Moab, where he intended for his family to sojourn until the famine ended.10 How could he have imagined how long his family would stay? So he lived in a cave with his two daughters. A space remained that he did not manage to rebuild. Only death will be able to separate me from you!. 12 The word new is not in the original text. And thus there is no evidence of repentance on her part at this point in time. Naomi did not doubt the existence of God nor did she doubt His power. He deals out Justice, rejecting the bad and rewarding the good. Webelimelech Due to the famine in Israel during the time of the Judges, Elimelech crossed over to Moab, where he and his two sons died. The family, compelled to emigrate to Moab through pressure of a famine, settled for several years in that country. In spite of the fact that Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and his two sons (Mahlon and Kilion) are living according to the spirit of their day (doing what is right in their own eyes), two people (Ruth and Boaz) stand out as examples of those who live by faith in the God of Israel, and whose lives exemplify living in accordance with Gods Word. The final chapters of the Book of Judges are certainly the worst of times, and yet the Book of Ruth describes the best of times. This suggests to me that godly character is not only evident in the good times, but even more dramatically in the bad times. Due to the famine in Israel during the time of the Judges, Elimelech crossed over to Moab, where he and his two sons died. Following their deaths, his wife Naomi returned to Beth-Lehem together with her daughter-in-law *Ruth (Ruth 1:13; 2:1, 3; 4:3, 9). There Ruth married *Boaz, one of Elimelech's relatives. Naomi is not at all like Ruth or Boaz; she is, in fact, a backdrop against which Ruth and Boaz are contrasted. It purposefully draws our attention to it, for it first tells us that a man went out and then tells us that the name of the man was Elimelech. Many years later, the Israelites were camped on the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from Jericho, poised to enter the Promised Land. Elamtu), region on the edge of the southwestern part of the Iranian plateau, modern Khuzistan, Sidon We are not told how wide-spread it was, but we do know that it affected Bethlehem (which ironically means house of bread). As they continue their journey toward Bethlehem, Naomi makes a three-fold attempt to persuade Orpah and Ruth to return to their homes, rather than to accompany her all the way back to Israel. God sees things not as we see them. 11 In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. 20 It could well be that Orpah had much to say, but the author did not wish to focus on her as she is not the heroine of this story. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>>
If God has it in for Naomi, what woman in her right mind would want to be closely associated with her? Conversely, one who is not a Jew and isnt instructed by the Law may have the law written on his (her) heart, and thus do the things the law requires. After only ten years in Moab, Elimelechs sons also died. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous before God, but those who do the law will be declared righteous. Major Gift. In the midst of her affliction and hopeless despair, God is at work preparing for the gracious things He is about to reveal to her and to the reader. The danger of practicing pragmatism above principle. Elimelech died, whereupon Mahlon and Chilion both married local women. We dont have a very good reputation in the Bible.. They rejected him as they rejected others. Ruth rejected Naomis appeal to leave her and go back to Moab, choosing instead to believe and behave like a true Israelite. They entered the region of Moab and settled there. Ruths words are her covenant with Naomi, with Israel, and with God, patterned after Gods covenant with Abraham and his descendants: Only death will be able to separate me from you! (Ruth 1:16-17). 35 Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? For example: And he called his name Noach, meaning to say, This one will give us comfort (e-noach-meinu) (Genesis 5, 29). He keeps loyal love; that is, He is a God who perseveres in His love, and thus He is a covenant-keeping God. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. It was a good number of years ago that I sat in on an excellent elective class taught by my friend, Tom Wright. Naomis third appeal is to Ruth alone, based on Orpahs decision to return home. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. What a mighty, magnificent, merciful, awesome God we serve! The benchmark by which we need to compare Ruth and Naomi is the Abrahamic Covenant: 1 Now the LORD said to Abram, Go out from your country, your relatives, and your father's household to the land that I will show you. ; Akkad. 4 So her sons married Moabite women. 10 The rain and snow fall from the sky and do not return, but instead water the earth and make it produce and yield crops, and provide seed for the planter and food for those who must eat. What could have led them to this interpretation? Lot and his family were spared, but his wife died (turned to salt) because she looked back. Encyclopaedia Judaica. She persuaded her younger sister to help her get him drunk, and then for both of them to sleep with him to produce offspring for him. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. , ' eylam; Elamite halhatamti; Akk. There are those who attempt to guild the lily as they read the Book of Ruth, desperately seeking some basis for making a pious Israelite of Naomi. The subject was the Book of Ruth. Elimelech died and left Naomi in the care of their two sons, who eventually married Moabitish women. But what she fails to see is that God is only increasing her problems to the level of human impossibility, so that He can demonstrate His power and grace through her weakness. I am now inclined to believe that Ruth is an example of Romans 2:12-16. The wonder is that God remained faithful to those who so easily abandoned Him. . He went first from Israel, the land of the living, and led them thence, and so he now goeth out of Naomi seems to be encouraging Ruth to accompany Orpah as she returns home. It took two attempts to convince Orpah to turn back and three attempts to convince Naomi that her efforts to turn Ruth away were futile. They came empty (at least according to Naomis assessment see verse 21), but God would not let them go hungry (or childless). Text Copyright In fact, my study for this sermon has caused me to think of Naomi in even less flattering terms. Humanly speaking, staying with Naomi does not offer much promise of a good life for these Moabite widows. (6) Most (if not all) of Naomis actions, attitudes, and advice were misguided and downright wrong. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. Their ultimate blessing would have been to leave their land, their people, their false religion, and to identify with the Israelites and with their God. Like Moabs mother, the Israelites reasoned that due to their circumstances, an Israelite line might become extinct. WebRuth 1:2. It certainly would be safer for the two women to travel together, but it is Orpah who will travel alone, not Ruth. The best thing for her to do was to return to Bethlehem and live out the rest of her days, dying empty (i.e., childless). %PDF-1.5
And they will do this because they believe they are doing their friend a favor. 17 Wherever you die, I will die and there I will be buried. ), matriarch of Israel, wife of *Jacob and the mother of *Joseph and Benjamin. I can imagine how it alarmed and frightened Naomi when Elimelech died while they were sojourning in Moab. He thought that he would be King. 2 Then I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great, so that you will exemplify divine blessing. One would have to begin by saying that these two women have a fair bit in common. endobj
When a famine came to the area around Bethlehem, Elimelech and Naomi moved to Moab (Moab was the name of Lot's elder Her faith and obedience was known by all. Due to the famine in Israel during the time of the Judges, Elimelech crossed over to Moab, where he and his two sons died. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband; deprived both of her husband and her sons, which was a great affliction, aggravated by her being in a strange country; many are the afflictions of the righteous. We assume that names of Biblical characters are not accidental but reflect their essense or memorialize pivotal events of their lives. Submit your piece for review, and if approved we will publish it on our site as Community Contributions., Change Your Subscription 8 Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds, 9 for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans. No wonder they didnt have a great reputation. 38 The younger daughter also gave birth to a son and named him Ben-Ammi. A few years later, king Saul will offer the sacrifices, even though he was instructed to wait for Samuel, all because Saul felt this was a crisis that justified setting aside obedience in faith to Gods Word.27. Best Answer. iddunnu) comes from the root , Hadad Then she firmly stated her commitment to Naomi, to Israel, and to Israels God as a covenant. Ruth would have none of this foolish talk, and she made this abundantly clear to her mother-in-law. The Both women initially refused to heed Naomis exhortation to leave her and return to Moab. Such early setting out of the players is quite unusual in Biblical writing. See also: More about the Book of Ruth. In addition, anyone who wants to share the Bible with others can print unlimited copies and give them away free to others. Dedicate an Article Elimelech was severely punished for his failings but the good within him was preserved and rewarded and he became the progenitor of the Royal line. ELAM (Heb. There is really no evidence of faith (on Naomis part), either. Amen (Romans 11:33-36). It was my friend Dave Austin who reminded me of the danger of pragmatism from this text. The younger daughter then did likewise and bore a son named Ammon. 20 Yet the children born during your time of bereavement will say within your hearing. It follows, therefore, that these characters must be important in setting the theme of the book. Dagn ), the Syrian and Canaanite god of seed, vegetation, and crops. Lot was turned to salt because she looked back at the city. In Job and in Ruth, this term seems to underscore Gods power, but in the context of suffering and adversity. Naomi doesnt mention that these women would likely not find an Israelite husband. The story in the book tells that Naomi plans to 5 Then Naomis two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, also died. The usual pattern is the reverse; first, we are told a mans name and familial antecedents and only then are his actions described. Naomi felt that God was against her, and every indication is that she felt God had dealt with her in a harsh and severe way. WebBoaz is a preeminent example of selflessness, willing to risk the loss of his own name so that he could make sure that the name and line of his relative Elimele Be careful not to jump to conclusions. And when both her sons died without bearing children, her situation seemed impossible. ." The Bible did not say how this happened, but the household was now comprised of three widows. These are the times of darkness when godliness should shine forth as a brilliant light. He came alongside Eve as her friend, as someone who was doing her a favor. Create a Memorial Because he abandoned his people during a famine. They were of the clan of Ephrath from Bethlehem in Judah.) Pay attention to do everything I have told you, and do not even mention the names of other gods do not let them be heard on your lips (Exodus 23:13). It provides us with a look at the life of the common person in Israel Judah (through whom the messianic line would be traced) kept his third son from a Levirate marriage with the first sons widow, and then had sex with a woman he thought was a cult prostitute.31 God not only preserved the messianic line, He was faithful to fulfill His (Abrahamic) covenant32 with Abraham. First, she insisted that Naomi must cease urging her to turn back. It is not only Ruth and Naomi who benefit from Gods work in the Book of Ruth, for everyone who has been saved by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ has been saved by the offspring of Ruth and Boaz. The women of the village said, Can this be Naomi? 20 But she replied to them, Dont call me Naomi! And his little boys died too. Naomi and her sons lived in Moab for ten years and then both Mahlon and Kilion died as well, childless. It was my friend Dave Austin who reminded me of the village said, this. -6D $ zA ^C ( D ` Ed8 BR, Elimelechs sons died. Great sin and she made this abundantly clear to her when she.... Want a Moabite wife, especially a widow ( Petichta Ruth Rabbah 5 ) Israelite line might become.! Faith ( on Naomis part ), either but it is Orpah who will travel alone, based on decision... Village said, can this be Naomi marriage and bearing children he came alongside Eve as her,. 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