Read Ruth 1:1
“Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.”
sojourn means : live
Elimelech (the man of Bethlehem-judah), his wife (Naomi), and their sons Mahlon (Ruth’s husband) and Chilion (Orpah’s husband)Famine in the land meaning a drought or possible a shortage of food/crops.
Reference to Judges 21:25 “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
Moab was a labeled as wicked land, and Gods people knew that. So traveling to Moab was what they thought was right in their eyes, and not Gods.
Reference to Deuteronomy 23:3-6
“An ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever: because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the sin of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee. Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee. Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days forever.”
The study book says: Sin is a slippery slope, and once we compromise a little, we soon find it hard to stand. Yet even when things were bad, God was still at work.
During these dark and evil times that the story of Ruth is taking place in you had some people who still followed God.
We may think that our way is best, but in truth Gods way is best. He is the one who can give us understanding, to lead and guide, and transform our mistakes into miracles. He works in our lives. We may not see the work, but we eventually will. Just keep the faith and trust.
In what ways are we tempted to do things our own way instead of trusting the Lord?— Often times I have seen that our own way is the “easy way” out.. most of the time Gods way requires patience and prayer. Every decision in our lives needs to be prayed about before making a decision about something. I often find myself being extremely inpatient because I want it NOW. But we have to remember that God is faithful and his will is the most glorious way.
What is a way that you have seen God bring good from a bad decision or situation in your life?— I was in a situation not long ago where I wanted to give up. I reached out for help, and I felt like I was being put on the back burner every where I turned. I let the devil take control and felt as though nothing could help or save me. Thankfully I had people praying for me and things started looking up. God took my decisions and bad thoughts and turned my life and my thoughts around.
What situation in your life can you trust God to bring good from right now?— With the presidential election I know lots are worried over this (I am worried over this). I normally do not talk politics or voice opinions, but in the end of the day God is in control. We have to be prepared in our faith for what lies ahead. We have to be trusting and obedient.
Dear Lord,Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for loving me. Please help me to be patient and allow your will be done. Help me to love like you. I pray this study touches someone and helps to grow closer to you.
-Amen