The timing of the story of Ruth is found in 1:1 “Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.” In this brief sentence we are told three things about those “days”:
Vs1 When the Judges ruled: It was a time of political corruption, moral decay, and spiritual apostasy.
Vs2A famine in the land: According to Deut. 28 17, 24, 39-40 because of the nations spiritual idolatry God would no longer bless their crops and instead He would, “Change the rain of your land to powder and dust”.
Vs3 Went to dwell in the country of Moab: Moab was an area just northeast of the Dead Sea inhabited by the descendants of Lot. The Moabites worshiped idols and twice fought against the Israelites; first according to Judges 3:12-30 200 years earlier and according to 1 Sam 14:47 about 80 years before the 2nd war.
In verse 2 we are told that this family left their beloved nation and Bethlehem (house of bread) to Moab you know (Meal On A Bun), just joking. They would remain in Moab according to verse 4,10 years, but famine was only the beginning of their tragedy. As Elimelech (God is my king) dies and leaves Naomi (pleasant) with her two sons Mahlon (sick) and Chilion (wasting away) and apparently their names proved quite prophetic, as they both die soon after they had taken wives from among the Moabites named, Orpah (stubbornness) and Ruth (friendship) a practice that was forbidden. Oh, dear ones this story of love and redemption doesn’t happen to those that deserve it, no it happens to those who do everything wrong.
The story of redemption starts in the heart of Ruth who no longer is obligated to Naomi after her husband dies but decides to stay with her mother-in-law instead of staying in her own home land. Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye while Ruth clung to her saying so long to her people and prosperity. Life is filled with seemingly inconsequential choices where the way seems right until the end leads to death.
This commitment from Ruth, a Moabite woman following after a Jewish mother-in-law who by living in the land of Moab wasn’t exactly the model of faith. Oh how little a spark of faith God can ignite into a flame if we will but let Him!
* If you are blessed by the devotions and Scripture Supply website ministry, we would ask that you pray and consider supporting Scripture Supply by giving a donation either one time or monthly. Any donations supports the maintenance cost of the website and associated costs as well as the global ministry. This can be done on the main page drop down menu.
Important: We are not a 501c3 organization so any donations are not tax deductible. Any giving should be compelled of the Spirit. Reach out with any questions. Thank you!