In The Days of the Judges - July 7

Read Ruth 1:1-5 (ESV)

In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.

Reflect

Considering the male dominated culture of these times, why was Naomi suddenly in a very perilous situation when she was left without her two sons and her husband?

Once upon a time in the history of Israel, there was no king. Their great first leader, Moses, and his successor, Joshua, had died. In the days of Moses and Joshua, the people of Israel served the Lord but after their leadership was gone, Israel slid into idolatry. “And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served Baals. And they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers.” (Judges 2:10-12).

Judges 2:16-23 explains the vicious cycle found in the time of the judges. Israel committed idolatry and followed after the surrounding nation’s pagan gods. So, the Lord allowed Israel to suffer the consequences of their sin. But when they had been badly oppressed and afflicted by their enemies, they cried out to the Lord to rescue them and He would raise up a judge to save them. Unfortunately, when that judge died, the whole cycle would start all over again with more idolatry. The people of Israel repeatedly turned their backs on the Lord who had freed them from slavery in Egypt and sustained them in the wilderness and who went before them to give them the strength to drive out their enemies and win their battles. But God repeatedly demonstrated His care and faithfulness to His people, even in the midst of trying times.

Naomi was born into this time. Her husband had moved their family to Moab because they were experiencing a famine in their hometown, Bethlehem. The people of Moab came into existence back when Abraham’s nephew, Lot, had an incestuous relationship with his daughter. Moab were generally enemies of Israel so Elimelech probably didn’t intend to stay there once the famine had subsided. But his sons both chose to marry women from Moab. Sadly, during the ten years that they lived there, both Elimelech and his two boys died. Can you imagine how devastating it was to Naomi who had to bury her spouse and two sons in such a short period of time?

Naomi’s situation was even more devastating because it left her alone without any male relatives. She had no one to provide for her and no one to care for her as she aged. Sadly, she also had no one to carry on their family name as both of her sons had died childless. So, Naomi and her daughters-in-law Orpah, and Ruth found themselves in an extremely vulnerable position.

The book of Ruth starts off with tragedy. But rest assured, that’s not how the story ends! As we study the book of Ruth together, we’ll see the sovereignty of God as He worked out the details in both Ruth’s and Naomi’s life. The book of Ruth is a story of God’s gracious provision and His beautiful redemption.

So, if you are in a season of trials and tragedies, let Naomi and Ruth’s story be an encouragement to you. God isn’t done yet. He is still sovereign, He is still a gracious provider, He is still our Redeemer. And He’s still working out all of the details.

Respond

Lord, I confess that sometimes it is difficult for me to remain hopeful when it seems like everything is going wrong and I am in trouble. Thank You for the encouragement found in Your Word. You are still in control and You are still on Your throne. And my hope is in You. Amen.

Reveal: Do you know someone who is in a vulnerable or desperate situation? How can you encourage them and offer them hope from God’s Word today?

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