Starting today and continuing over the next six weeks we are going to work our way through the book of Ruth. It’s a fascinating short story with a big message. As we work through this book our goal is to identify the major themes and make application of them to our lives today. So—what are some of these themes?

> The sovereignty of God. God not only created everything that exists, He has absolute control over everything that exists.

> The providence of God. God’s promise to His people is  one of provision.

> The character of God. This will be seen by the way God is going to work in and through the people in this story. (Hebrew: Hesed)

> The plan of God. God has a plan for His people and even in spite of what we do…we cannot completely mess it up.

What’s interesting is—the book is entitled Ruth, and the main character (so to speak) is Ruth…yet the book is all about God. The reason this is such a fascinating story is because it’s all about a fascinating God who going to do some fascinating things in the lives of average people which will ultimately lead to the birth of the most fascinating person ever born…Jesus.

Notice if you will this morning how our story begins. Elimelech and his family leaves from Bethlehem…but only Naomi and Ruth will return. Our outline this morning will simply have 3 words that will serve as a guide to help us understand God’s message for us today.

1. Situation

In the first 2 verses—the writer provides us with the circumstances that make up the predicament for the whole story. A nation not living by faith. Verse 1 says, “In the days the judges ruled.” In the minds of the original recipients of this story—they would have known it was a period of moral decline that contributed to an atmosphere of spiritual apostasy. (See Judges 21:25)

A. A famine in the land.

This is what we read here also in verse 1. Now—some Bible scholars tell us to be careful about reading into a passage such as this that the famine is an act of God for purpose of discipline because it’s not specified in the text. Yet—on the other hand…how many times does God have to warn His people about the consequences of disobedience before we believe He will do it. (See Deut. 28:1-2, 15, 23-24, disobedience brings discipline)

B. A family in search of provision.

The next thing we see here in verses 1-2—a man and his family leaving Bethlehem for Moab. Apparently the famine had not affected Moab and going there for food seemed like the right thing to do. Here’s something for us to think about. The writer doesn’t say that Elimelech’s whole clan or tribe leaves…only his family. And another thing –Elimelech is leaving the ‘Promised Land’ for a ‘cursed land.’ Apparently he didn’t have to leave…he choose to leave because the grass looked a whole greener on the Moab side of the fence.

What does this say about us, when difficulty comes (even if it is an act of discipline) leaving is the first option? Instead of trusting God to provide, Elimelech traveled to a foreign land in pursuit of his own provision. That’s the situation we find here in verses 1-2.

2. Sorrow

The writer describes the circumstances that lead to a crisis for Naomi and her daughter-in-laws in verses 3-5.

A. They are without husbands.

We’re told in quick succession that Elimelech and both of his sons die in a matter of 10 years or so. There’s no mention of why or how…only that it happens. 3 women left without male protection and provision in a male dominated society. One a foreigner

B. They are without male heirs.

There’s no mention of children being born to Mahlon or Kilion wives. Their marriage to Moabite women if not explicitly forbidden in Deut. 7…it was implicitly forbidden by the fact that they were people of a land that served false gods. In light of God’s plan for Naomi and Ruth that will be disclosed in the rest of the story…the God of the famine is revealed here as the God of fertility as well. Ruth is barren until the right time.  

C. They are without much hope.

Naomi more so that Ruth and Orpah. They are still young and can return to their father’s house. Naomi implies in verse 11 and her friends say in 4:15 that she is an old woman. (Perhaps past child bearing age.) Therefore—Naomi has little hope and the prospects for Ruth and Orpah aren’t much better as long as they remain with her.

Think about this. The sorrow that plagues Naomi’s heart is the fact that her family line is at the point of extinction.  No husband to protect and provide – no sons to maintain the family inheritance in the Promised land, and as an old woman most likely no hope of having another child or a father still alive to return to. Great sorrow.

Can you imagine that Naomi must be thinking to her self—if only we had never left Bethlehem none of this would have happened? Notice what Naomi says in verse 21…read. (Ever been there, if only?)

3. Solution

By the end of verse 5 Naomi and her daughters-in-law are in the midst of what looks like a hopeless situation. But—it’s here in verse 6 that Naomi is reminded of where her help is going to come from.

A. The message.

The writer doesn’t say…but somehow Naomi hears in Moab that The Lord has ‘come to the aid’ of His people in Bethlehem. No doubt—Naomi’s circumstances must have led her to believe the wrath of God was what she would experience for the rest of her life. Famine in her homeland and personal famine in her new land. As difficult as Naomi’s life experience is at the moment, word on the street is “The Lord is in town...and He’s bearing gifts.”

B. The mercy.

Since there is no mention of repentance from the people of Israel…what we see here is the hesed of God. God’s love, kindness, grace, compassion, and mercy being poured out on His people as a result of His faithfulness to the covenant whereby He said, “I will never leave nor forsake you.” Discipline, yes…desert, no. Bethlehem—which means ‘house of bread’ is being restocked thanks to the mercy/hesed of God.

C. The move.

When Naomi gets word of all that God is doing she ‘prepares to return home.’ We must stop here for today.

So what can we take from this story today that will help us?

1. Difficult times—whether they are the result of discipline or development from the Lord…will require careful discernment before making any major moves in our life.

2. We need to praise God for the fact that His grace and mercy can still find us when we’re not where we are suppose to be.