When the story opens, Naomis sons have just died. We will return with you to your people., 11 But Naomi replied, Go back home, my daughters! Elimelech died in Moab. Beth-lehem-judahso called to distinguish it from a town of the same name in Zebulun. <>>> And in good covenant form, she pronounced a curse upon herself if she did otherwise. God sees things not as we see them. How could any faithful Israelite encourage someone to return to their (false) god(s)? 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. And both (at least initially) were committed to staying with Naomi, even if that meant immigrating to Israel. You, leaders, did not stand at the opening like Moses. 35 Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? This is completely secular thinking. In addition, why would a private individual carry a name that signifies royalty. 38 The younger daughter also gave birth to a son and named him Ben-Ammi. WebElimelech was a member of the tribe of Judah, a native of Bethlehem Judah, a man of wealth and probably head of a family or clan ( Ruth 1:2,3; 2:1,3 ). He was right in that Kingship was destined to come from his progeny; yet he was also grievously wrong for he himself was not fitting to become king of Israel. 2 Kings 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. The Messianic seed was often put at risk in the Old Testament. If our text tells us anything about God, it is that His ways are not our ways. For example: And he called his name Noach, meaning to say, This one will give us comfort (e-noach-meinu) (Genesis 5, 29). 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Like a faithful shepherd whose corral- fence fell as darkness approached. She views God as harsh and uncaring, doling out affliction and trouble in a way that is completely unrelated to her attitudes and actions. 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. My impression is that Naomi had changed not only in her appearance (she may not have aged well in Moab), but also in spirit. Naomi is not at all like Ruth or Boaz; she is, in fact, a backdrop against which Ruth and Boaz are contrasted. 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. Such people are in misery, and honestly, they make those around them miserable as well. <> As Orpah kisses Naomi goodbye and turns back toward home, Ruth clings all the more tightly to her mother-in-law. Elimelech was Naomi's husband. 1 Shout for joy, O barren one who has not given birth! WebRuth 1:3. Some years ago I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely Christian in a hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia. Ruth becomes a true Israelite in spite of Naomis persistent encouragement to return to her Moabite roots. When a famine came to the area around Bethlehem, Elimelech and Naomi moved to Moab (Moab was the name of Lot's elder The ancestors, since they knew their genealogies, would derive names from events. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. 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. 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 danger of practicing pragmatism above principle. He thought that he would be King. If Naomi had other sons, she could give them to these women in Levirate marriage, but she has no other sons. Ruth does not cling to Naomi as a kindred spirit, but as a very needy person. Humans cannot see beyond these two alternatives but God has another choice. Thus, we cannot say with certainty that the story of Ruth occurs late in the period of the judges, though this seems likely. In Job and in Ruth, this term seems to underscore Gods power, but in the context of suffering and adversity. Judah married a Canaanite woman, and two of his sons died because of their sin. Naomi signifies my amiable or pleasant one; Mahlon and Chilion signify sickness and consumption. Who would want a Moabite wife, especially a widow? After the death of their father, the two sons married Moabite women. 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. What was Moses like? In her thinking, God had stripped her of all hope by taking her husband and her sons in death, and by preventing their wives from bearing children. Sixth, Elimelechs family left God. The resolution to these irregularities is primarily exegetical. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. When the years of famine came he said, Now all of them will come to my door post, each one with his begging cup in his hand. They insisted on going on to Israel with Naomi. Even if she were able to bear children, it would be unreasonable for these two widows to wait 20 years for replacement husbands. No, in Naomis mind there was no good reason to remain with her as she returned to her homeland. Naomi returned to her homeland accompanied by her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth. In short, Naomi is a picture of Israels spiritual condition at this point in their history. We should notice that it was not until after Elimelechs death that they married. There her husband died, and her sons married Moabite women named Ruth and Orpah. 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. 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. ." 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). 11 In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/elimelech, "Elimelech 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. 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. It has been supplied by the translators. Ruth focused on Naomi and her need and on Naomis people and their God. Ruth and Orpah did not bear Jewish children, too. T -6d$zA ^C(D`Ed8 BR. Because he abandoned his people during a famine. While they were in Moab, Elimelech died, leaving Naomi and her two sons. We must be aware that they taught in riddles and parables (Proverbs 1, 2) and that our task is extract and restate their message in the conceptual language that we use today. No details, however, are given, as, on the one hand, no blame is attached to the conduct Such is not the case, my friend, and seeing her as some kind of heroine will distort our understanding of the message of this wonderful book. One has to ponder the outcome of her decision. No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend (Isaiah 55:8-11). Naomi told her friend not to call her Naomi (which means pleasant) any longer, but rather to call her Mara (which means bitter). Naomi counseled Orpah and Ruth to do what seemed right in their eyes. stream A godly Israelite would not only trust in the one true God, Yahweh, they would also know that there are no other gods. as Ili-Milku, a variant of the name Milk-ilu, ruler of Gezer. She had to leave her family, her homeland, and her gods and go to the place of Gods blessing. One manifestation of Gods mercy, expressed through His sovereignty, is His providential working at times when there appears to be no hope. in 1971. I was bereaved and barren, dismissed and divorced. Web(5) And they died. This was a violation of the Mosaic law (De 7:3; 23:3; Ezr 9:2; Ne 13:23); and Jewish writers say that the early deaths of both the young men were divine judgments inflicted on them for those unlawful connections. Serving the god(s) of Moab (or any others) was an abomination to God: You shall have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3). Leaving His land, His people, His office-bearers, His worship and His day is leaving God. After about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion died. 3 0 obj Yet, they throw a shadow over the entire story. I think I understand generally what Paul is saying here, based upon the promise in Jeremiah: 33 But I will make a new covenant with the whole nation of Israel after I plant them back in the land, says the Lord. Word had reached Naomi in Moab that God had visited His people by ending the famine and providing abundant crops back in Israel. What could have led them to this interpretation? 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. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. The Midrash explains: What does a fox watch out for in the ruins? I am now inclined to believe that Ruth is an example of Romans 2:12-16. 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. May the Lord punish me severely if I do not keep my promise! My sense is that most of the residents of Bethlehem stayed in Bethlehem, rather than leaving to sojourn in a foreign country during the days of the famine. The word redeem means to set free by paying a price. In the case of Ruth and Naomi, Elimelechs property had It is not for us to say how far those are right who see in the death of Elimelech and his sons Gods punishment for the disregard of His The chapter ends with the authors assessment of where things stand, with a hint of what lies ahead. How could Naomi point them in the wrong direction? No wonder they didnt have a great reputation. Holy MatrimonyMarriage 1Marriage 2The Tenaim TranslatedThe Kesubah TranslatedMarriage and the Royal FamilyMarital Partners Compatibility of MissionsEverlasting Happiness10 Mistakes Couples Make, AbarbanelShem MeShmuelShabbos: Taam ChaimMikraHaarosGrowing with the ParshaGal Einai Jerusalem ViewsSfas EmesWeekly HalachaOsher HaChaim. Major Gift. Now it is true that Machlon, Kilyon, and Elimelech pass quickly from the scene and Orpah follows them soon thereafter. 15 They show that the work of the law is written in their hearts, as their conscience bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or else defend them, 16 on the day when God will judge the secrets of human hearts, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus (Romans 2:12-16, emphasis mine). Both had married Israelite husbands, had borne no children, and were now widows. and lifts up the needy from the garbage pile, 9 He makes the barren woman of the family. It says in verse three that Elimelech died in Moab. RACHEL (Heb. He is the ancestor of the Ammonites of today (Genesis 19:30-38, emphasis mine). I remember responding to Nate, Neither do the rest of us. Well, if this is true of us, it is certainly true of the Moabites. We should note several things about Naomis third attempt to persuade Ruth to join Orpah as she returned to Moab in verse 15. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, Ruth: A Story of Redemption -- A Study of the Book of Ruth. Take note of the fact that Ruths covenant is not a short-term commitment; it is a lifetime commitment. And yet as the story of Ruth unfolded this time, it suddenly became obvious to me that Naomi was no role model. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. The oldest daughter (who will become the mother of Moab) saw their situation as impossible. (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. 10 From what we learn from the Book of Ruth, one does wonder what role Naomi played in this decision. Be careful not to jump to conclusions. 32 Come, lets make our father drunk with wine so we can have sexual relations with him and preserve our family line through our father. 33 So that night they made their father drunk with wine, and the older daughter came and had sexual relations with her father. Who even remembers her name? 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). And all of this resulted in the near annihilation of one of the twelve tribes (Benjamin) and a conspiracy to acquire wives for the remaining Benjamites in a way that was morally unacceptable. The text does not really tell us but the Sages do, and so, we will engage in reverse engineering, trying to grasp their view of this complex personality and then to appreciate the antecedents of their interpretation. March 11, 1787 Leajsk, Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria. That is why some men and women will choose never to marry or to bear children. Elimelech had a wife named Naomi and two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. than the children of the married woman, says the Lord. Not even death would separate them. Naomis hope was in the physical rather than in the spiritual, in the present rather than in eternity. - In 2012, I became a member of juFORUM, a Germany-wide network of young scientists. He was right, but, was there, perhaps, a personal element in his reaction? 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