Studies in the Book of Ruth #2 (1.1-18)

During this present time of distress in our world, may this study be a comfort to you as there is no GREATER COMFORT than the words of Almighty God (cf. Isaiah 40:1)!

I. TRIALS (v. 1-2)
“there was a famine in the land” (v. 1) – this is the 4th famine in the Bible
1st famine – Genesis 12:10
2nd famine – Genesis 26:1-4
3rd famine – Genesis 41:56

A. THE PROBLEM – Why famine?  It could be due to DISOBEDIENCE! See Deuteronomy 11:10-17.  The right response to trials is to TRUST God!

B. THE PLACE – Elimelech (the leader of the family) decides to LEAVE Bethlehem-Judah (interestingly enough Bethlehem means “house of bread”) and settles in Gentile country (Moab).  Look at what God says about Moab in Psalm 60:8!  See also Deuteronomy 23:3-4.

It is better to be IN God’s will in FAMINE than to be OUT of God’s will and FEASTING!

C. THE PEOPLE – A family is GREATLY affected by the decisions of the husband/father
The “certain man” – Elimelech means “my God is King”
Elimelech’s wife Naomi means “pleasant”
Their son Mahlon – means “sickly”
Their other son Chilion – “wasting, pining away”

II. TRIBULATION (v. 3-15)
*Notice how QUICK, tragedy can strike!
Verse 3 – Elimelech dies
Verse 4 – the two sons take foreign wives
Verse 5 – ten years later… more tragedy as the two sons die

It started with 4 –> Naomi + 3
It is reduced to 3 when Elimelech dies –> Naomi + 2

“Maybe we should GO back to the promised land…  nah.”

It grows to 5 as the sons take wives –> Naomi + 4
It is reduced to 3 when the sons die –> Naomi + 2

Naomi came with 3… she left with 2… and they are her daughters-in-law

DOCTRINAL APPLICATION – cf. Jeremiah 30:1-7
Naomi is a type of Israel going through “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Great Tribulation)

Verse 6 – notice that BREAD is present in Judah
*See… TRIALS are just TEMPORARY – they are TESTS from the Lord

Verse 7 – BACK to the land of Canaan, the land of promise – now they are going the RIGHT direction, – all 3 of them!

cf. Luke 15:11-24

Verses 8-9 – even though Naomi is beginning to think straight… she is STILL NOT thinking straight
cf. James 1:8
cf. James 4:8

Verse 10 – these two girls – Orpah and Ruth – they ARE in their right mind!

Verses 11-13 – When you want to go where the Lord wants you to go – there will be someone there to try and talk you out of it – sometimes it is the person that SHOULD be telling you to go ahead and DO what God wants you to do!

Verse 14 – a DECISION is made by Orpah to LISTEN to the counsel of Naomi
cf. Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart…”
*We never hear ANYTHING about Orpah again!

cf. Genesis 19:24-26 – DON’T LOOK BACK – INSTEAD – cf. Hebrews 12:1-2

Verse 15 – the decision is going to affect her for THOUSANDS of years!!!!!

Should I go this way or that way…

WHERE am I going to DWELL?

WHAT could happen if I follow this path… or this one???

WHO am I going to follow?

WHY am I doing this?

III. TRUST (v. 16-18)
Verses 16-18 – probably the greatest verses in the Bible on LOYALTY

*Ruth exhibits great LOYALTY toward Naomi, the Israelites, and God Almighty!

cf. Proverbs 18:24

“STEDFAST” – cf. 1 Corinthians 15:58