However, the date of retrieval is often important. It led to a hopeless fatalism: It doesnt really matter what I say or do; God is against me, and there is nothing I can do about it.. ." 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Why do you call me Naomi, seeing that the Lord has opposed me, and the Sovereign One has caused me to suffer? 22 So Naomi returned, accompanied by her Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth, who came back with her from the region of Moab. 15 The translations differ here. In addition, anyone who wants to share the Bible with others can print unlimited copies and give them away free to others. Perhaps he was not even fully aware of this failing but God was. But it is not the essence of what our life in Christ is about. Let us reflect on these contrasts for a moment. Give a joyful shout and cry out, you who have not been in labor! Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. Humans cannot see beyond these two alternatives but God has another choice. 1 Shout for joy, O barren one who has not given birth! Naomis first attempt is described in verses 8-10. They were both Moabite women, close to the same age. Lots older daughter neatly avoided the moral implications of what she proposed. endobj
Ruth was determined to serve and care for her mother-in-law; Orpah chose to look out for herself. Call me Mara because the Sovereign One has treated me very harshly. She gave them very pragmatic counsel, based upon what could be seen, rather than on Gods Word and the principle of faith. It was my friend Dave Austin who reminded me of the danger of pragmatism from this text. The Hebrew term Elohim is plural, but some render it god here, and others gods. Chemosh appears to be the primary Moabite god, but there may well have been others. ), Handbook of Ugaritic Studies (1999), index, 841. Neither does she mention the mistreatment they would likely receive because Moab is Israels enemy, but they could probably read between the lines. In moving to Moab, Naomi left the Lord to some extent and for some years. Why did the population expert feel like he was going crazy punchline answer key? The Path of Despair and the Path of Return. Some years ago I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely Christian in a hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia. While in Moab, Elimelech died, leaving his wife with their two sons (verse 3). The sons married Moabite women, which was something else God wanted His people to avoid. However, God ended up blessing Elimelechs family anyway, although not through his sons. God instead chose to work through Naomi and one of her Moabite daughters-in-law, Ruth. ." Even professing Christians can fall victim to the tyranny of the urgent. Bildungswesen. How could Naomi encourage Ruth (and, by inference, Orpah) to return to their god(s), when doing so would condemn them eternally? Not even death would separate them. (February 22, 2023). This she must do by faith. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! Now that Orpah has decided to turn back, Naomi appears to have more leverage. Naomi was preoccupied with the here and now, rather than trusting in Gods covenant promises by faith. Ruth 1:3 Commentaries: Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 1:1-5 Elimelech's care to provide for his family, was not to be blamed; but his removal into the country of Moab could not be justified. Web1 During the time of the judges there was a famine in the land of Judah. Naomi saw singleness (widowhood for her) and childlessness as a curse, while Paul taught that singleness could facilitate ministry to others and to God (1 Corinthians 7:32-35). Clearly as quite young men. Naomi should teach us to be careful about accepting the counsel of those who seem to be well meaning. Ruth and Orpah did not bear Jewish children, too. I am now inclined to believe that Ruth is an example of Romans 2:12-16. 17 Wherever you die, I will die and there I will be buried. 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). Create a Memorial ; Akkad. Someone reminded me that the Book of Ruth is a lot like the Book of Esther. WebPrevious commentary: Next commentary: About this commentary: are made available by the generosity of . His oldest daughter concluded that their father would die without an heir. It provides us with a look at the life of the common person in Israel Elimelech was Naomi's husband. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. Ruths spiritual journey is similar to that of Abraham. A wolf approached and he fought the wolf. Apr. They would be a reminder that Elimelech and Naomi had left Bethlehem when the going got tough. It had been at least ten years since Naomi and her family had left them. I would be very reluctant to conclude that Ruths husband or his parents taught her the law. Follow your sister-in-law back home! (Ruth 1:15). As the years have gone by, I may have mellowed in the terms I would use to portray Naomi, but my opinion of her has not really changed. This is entirely consistent with Old Testament history and with the warnings recorded in Leviticus 26:18-20 and Deuteronomy 28:23-24. A Christian wife is having difficulties in her relationship with her husband, and she shares this with a Christian friend. We should first note that Naomis words here are prompted by Orpahs decision to return home. It has been supplied by the translators. 3 Sometime later Naomis husband Elimelech died, so she and her two sons were left alone. WebThe Bible Exposition Commentary: The meaning of redemption. . The wonder is that God remained faithful to those who so easily abandoned Him. Lots daughters, the Israelites (on behalf of the Benjamites), and Naomi are inclined to resort to a pragmatic solution, rather than one that is faith-based and rooted in principle. Elimelech of Lizhensk. And so this older daughter persuaded her younger sister that both of them needed to get their father drunk, and then each should lie with him, so that they might produce offspring for their father. It is not Naomis belief in the sovereignty of God that troubles me as much as how she applies it. 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. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. Ezekiel (10, 3) castigates the leaders of Israel as being foxes in the ruins. T -6d$zA ^C(D`Ed8 BR. No details, however, are given, as, on the one hand, no blame is attached to the conduct Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. Rabbi Shimon Ben Gamliel said: The ancestors who used the power of Divine Inspiration drew names out of (future) events; we who do not have access to Divine Inspiration, draw names from our forefathers (Genesis Rabbah 37,7)., What does the name Elimelech mean? But when there was a famine in the land, they moved to the neighboring country of Moab. He deals out Justice, rejecting the bad and rewarding the good. She seems to have little or no conviction regarding her sins, the sins of her husband, or of the sins of the nation. (3) One gets the impression that those who remained in Bethlehem fared reasonably well during the famine; certainly better than Naomi and her family did. Dagon first appears as an important and widely, Rachel She had to leave her family, her homeland, and her gods and go to the place of Gods blessing. 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. Died. The crises of life are Gods pop quizzes, times when He puts our faith to the test, times when He gives us an opportunity to put our faith on display. But when she urged Ruth to return to her pagan god(s), that was the worst unkindness of all. No wonder Naomi finally ceased trying to convince her to turn back (verse 18). ELAM (Heb. Who were Naomis daughter in laws? All rights reserved. You, leaders, did not stand at the opening like Moses. The ultimate test is the Word of God and Naomis counsel, while it sometimes used Gods name, did not conform to Gods Word. Web(5) And they died. Only death will be able to separate me from you!. The subject was the Book of Ruth. JETHRO (Heb. We dont have a very good reputation in the Bible.. SIDON (also Zidon ; Heb. In this emergency, she was proposing an unconventional solution to their problem. Think of it: Naomi and her husband leave the land where God promised to bless them. 1When Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to commit sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab. Sixth, Elimelechs family left God. It follows, therefore, that these characters must be important in setting the theme of the book. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. A famine plagued Israel in the days of the judges. It was completed by more than twenty biblical scholars who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. The usual pattern is the reverse; first, we are told a mans name and familial antecedents and only then are his actions described. Dagn ), the Syrian and Canaanite god of seed, vegetation, and crops. Elimelech Weisblum of Lizhensk (1717March 11, 1787) was a rabbi and one of the great founding Rebbes of the Hasidic movement. Like a faithful shepherd whose corral- fence fell as darkness approached. 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 The second clue that this name is meant to be interpreted is how the verse presents it. Can this be Naomi? they asked (verse 19). Submit your piece for review, and if approved we will publish it on our site as Community Contributions., Change Your Subscription 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. 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your children will conquer nations and will resettle desolate cities (Isaiah 54:1-3). 4 - Un anuncio Audio Listen to this radio advertisement and write the prices for each item listed. 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. They were of the clan of Ephrath from Bethlehem in Judah.) Naomi returned to her homeland accompanied by her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth. Web1290 BC Elimelech dies, likely stricken by God for abandoning his inheritance, allowing his two sons to marry Moabites and not joining the battle against Benjamin in Judges 20. This time it is Orpah who kisses Naomi goodbye. Encyclopedia.com. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. WebThen Naomi's husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons, Ruth 1:5 both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and without her husband. What a mighty, magnificent, merciful, awesome God we serve! As I was studying our text for this message, it occurred to me that the text which describes the origin of the Moabites in Genesis 19 is a key to understanding the story of Ruth, and especially Naomis role in this account. A lion approached and he fought off the lion. The book of Ruth opens with a presentation of several characters. So he lived in a cave with his two daughters. And so they did. I hate to say this, but after being involved in ministry for many years, I would have to say that some of the worst counsel I have ever heard has come from well-meaning Christians. 31 Later the older daughter said to the younger, Our father is old, and there is no man anywhere nearby to have sexual relations with us, according to the way of all the world. 3 0 obj
as Ili-Milku, a variant of the name Milk-ilu, ruler of Gezer. Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. In the past, Naomi was always portrayed in a somewhat flattering way. Instead, it was God who demonstrated His sovereignty by bringing about the chain of events that culminated in the establishment of monarchy in Israel. When he saw that his generation scorned great men, he said, Surely I shall go from here so that I will not be caught among them (Zohar Chodosh 77a). The contrast between Ruth and Naomi. Text Copyright Orpah succumbed to Naomis reasoning and chose to pursue what appeared to be in her best interest. Encyclopedia.com. WebRuth 1:2. He came alongside Eve as her friend, as someone who was doing her a favor. , Akk. 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. In short, Naomi is a picture of Israels spiritual condition at this point in their history. 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. Many years later, the Israelites were camped on the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from Jericho, poised to enter the Promised Land. The inference is clear: to remain with Naomi has no promise of blessing and every reason to expect that they will share in her divinely-imposed affliction. 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. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 1:1-5 Elimelech's care to provide for his family, was not to be blamed; but his removal into the country of Moab could not be justified. And the removal ended in the wasting of his family. Probably they were sickly children, and not likely to be long-lived. Ruth is never dealt with as a second-class believer. 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. 9 May the Lord enable each of you to find security in the home of a new husband! Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept loudly. WebBecause of a severe famine in Judea, he emigrated to the land of Moab with his wife and his sons, Mahlon and Chilion. 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. Part of the story about Naomi plays there, and another part in Bethlehem. Mahlon married Ruth in Moab while Kilion married Ruth's sister Orpah. Then she firmly stated her commitment to Naomi, to Israel, and to Israels God as a covenant. 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. Ruth emphatically says No to Naomi, but with such wonderful words Naomi can hardly continue to stand in her way. Word had reached Naomi in Moab that God had visited His people by ending the famine and providing abundant crops back in Israel. Like Moabs mother, the Israelites reasoned that due to their circumstances, an Israelite line might become extinct. Then you go and have sexual relations with him so we can preserve our family line through our father. 35 So they made their father drunk that night as well, and the younger one came and had sexual relations with him. Encyclopedias almanacs transcripts and maps. But Ruth refuses to abandon Naomi and clings to her tightly. Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). That is why some men and women will choose never to marry or to bear children. The Bible did not say how this happened, but the household was now comprised of three widows. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, Ruth: A Story of Redemption -- A Study of the Book of Ruth. Here is a story that not only warms our hearts, it encourages our faith by unveiling the providential hand of God in bringing salvation and blessing during one of the darkest periods in history. Both the Benjamites sin and their judgment are similar to what happened in Genesis 19. 6 So she decided to return home from the region of Moab, accompanied by her daughters-in-law, because while she was living in Moab she had heard that the Lord had shown concern for his people, reversing the famine by providing abundant crops. Her name means "ewe," while that of her siste, Elam They would be (or so it may have seemed to Naomi) a liability to her when she returned. In Job and in Ruth, this term seems to underscore Gods power, but in the context of suffering and adversity. 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. Such people are in misery, and honestly, they make those around them miserable as well. Had you done so, you would have been able to even withstand Gods anger (Petichta Ruth Rabbah 5). Stated in the words of the author of Judges, every man (and woman) was doing what was right in their own eyes. Here is a woman who is not walking by faith, but by sight, who is not living according to the law, but in disregard for it. ." Naomi adds one final argument in favor of Orpah and Ruth returning home to Moab. The genealogy provided in chapter 4 would incline us to believe that the events of Ruth took place later rather than sooner in the period of the judges, because Ruth is the great grandmother of David.17 But other than this, there do not appear to be any direct links to events or persons in the Book of Judges. The women of the village said, Can this be Naomi? 20 But she replied to them, Dont call me Naomi! Lot fled with his daughters and was living in a cave. Beware of well-meaning advice that is not rooted in Scripture and that is supportive of what you would really like to do, rather than what God commands us to do. He will do what he says he will do. Retrieved February 22, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/elimelech. . No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend (Isaiah 55:8-11). And they continued to live there about ten years. Cholim Prayers for Those in Need, Make a Donation What a relief it is to leave Judges behind and come to the Book of Ruth! The barley harvest will play a significant role in moving this story forward in the next two chapters. The translation project originally started as an attempt to provide an electronic version of a modern translation for electronic distribution over the Internet and on CD (compact disk). If I have counted correctly, the term is used 48 times in the Old Testament; 9 times in the Pentateuch, 2 times in Ruth, 2 times in the Psalms, 1 time in Isaiah, 2 times in Ezekiel, 1 time in Joel, and 31 times in Job. It certainly would be safer for the two women to travel together, but it is Orpah who will travel alone, not Ruth. Other translations have another another husband. Put another way, the title of this book is Ruth, not Orpah. Ruth 4:9 We find Ruth contrasted with Orpah, and then with Naomi. When we met, I had no idea who he was, but he introduced himself something like this, Hi, Bob, Im Nate Mirza. iddunnu) comes from the root , Hadad and lifts up the needy from the garbage pile, 9 He makes the barren woman of the family. Encyclopaedia Judaica. After the death of their father, the two sons married Moabite women. This suggests that the Narrator was not happy with him, for when God approves of a journey, it, the participants, their families, and even their livestock are described in loving detail (See Ezra 2, 66-67, after commentary Nachalat Yosef). Beth-lehem-judahso called to distinguish it from a town of the same name in Zebulun. 20 Yet the children born during your time of bereavement will say within your hearing. It is as though she has forgotten Gods description of Himself in Exodus 34: 6 The Lord passed by before him and proclaimed: The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness, 7 keeping loyal love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. stream
18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped trying to dissuade her. They produced offspring for the Benjamites by orchestrating the kidnapping and rape of 200 virgins.26 The Israelites were like Moabs mother in that they were thinking and acting like Moabites. You, leaders, did not stand among the ruins like Moses did. 2 0 obj
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