Spouse. People of faith in God often stand out in times of crisis, so let us live by the principles of Scripture, rather than by pragmatism. This, of course, is Naomis meaning. 1 Copyright 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. Sixth, Elimelechs family left God. It was my friend Dave Austin who reminded me of the danger of pragmatism from this text. Ill attempt to support my conclusions as we proceed in our study of this book. The suffering of His people, whether for sins they have committed or for living righteously, is but the prelude to His glorious salvation. Mahlon chose a young woman named Ruth, but he also died shortly thereafter. Dedicate an Article % Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. 12 Go back home, my daughters! Conversely, one who is not a Jew and isnt instructed by the Law may have the law written on his (her) heart, and thus do the things the law requires. 10 From what we learn from the Book of Ruth, one does wonder what role Naomi played in this decision. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. In Naomis mind, it probably was in their best interest, but it also appeared to benefit her. Ruth and Orpah did not bear Jewish children, too. Ruth 1:3 Commentaries: Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 1:1-5 Elimelech's care to provide for his family, was not to be blamed; but his removal into the country of Moab could not be justified. But here is where the similarity ends. It has been supplied by the translators. HADAD , an early Semitic god, first appears in texts written in the Old Akkadian dialect and in Eblaite (third millennium). Now, Naomi urges both of her daughters-in-law to go back home to their own land21 and to their mothers homes22 and to find a new Moabite husband, so that they might have security.23 While God promised to bless all those who blessed Abraham and his offspring, Naomi told her daughters-in-law that to stay with her would be to share in the curse God had placed upon her.24 As the story of Ruth and Boaz unfolds, God promises are fulfilled, while Naomis warning and instructions are proven to be false. 35 Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? Ruths words are her covenant with Naomi, with Israel, and with God, patterned after Gods covenant with Abraham and his descendants: Only death will be able to separate me from you! (Ruth 1:16-17). They would be a reminder that Elimelech and Naomi had left Bethlehem when the going got tough. They no longer have their old or former husbands because they have died. You need to get right with God. ." ), Handbook of Ugaritic Studies (1999), index, 841. Who even remembers her name? In short, Naomi is a picture of Israels spiritual condition at this point in their history. I believe the opening words of A Tale of Two Cities go like this: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . Surely these words aptly describe Ruth in the period of the judges. 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). Neither does she mention the mistreatment they would likely receive because Moab is Israels enemy, but they could probably read between the lines. Elimelech died, and the sons married two Moabite women: Mahlon married Ruth and Chilion married Orpah. 2 (Now the mans name was Elimelech, his wife was Naomi, and his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They would be (or so it may have seemed to Naomi) a liability to her when she returned. Because he abandoned his people during a famine. ). <>>> As they continue their journey toward Bethlehem, Naomi makes a three-fold attempt to persuade Orpah and Ruth to return to their homes, rather than to accompany her all the way back to Israel. I was bereaved and barren, dismissed and divorced. (One was named Orpah and the other Ruth.) In Judges 3, we read that the Israelites were subject to Eglon, king of Moab, for 18 years.8 Since the Moabites were not Canaanites, marriage to a Moabite was not strictly forbidden.9 Nevertheless, Moabites were not only regarded as aliens or foreigners, but also as second class citizens. Marriage to a Moabite was not something one did to gain status in Israel. Apparently soon after the settlement of the family. In addition, anyone who wants to share the Bible with others can print unlimited copies and give them away free to others. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/elimelech, "Elimelech Naomi is not at all like Ruth or Boaz; she is, in fact, a backdrop against which Ruth and Boaz are contrasted. It is available on the Internet at: www.netbible.org. That person is a true Jew at heart. The men in the family die, leaving Naomi alone with her two daughters-in- law, Ruth and Orpah. This story can be found in the book of Ruth. Elimelech Weisblum 1717 Tykocin, Kingdom of Poland. Best Answer. Elamtu), region on the edge of the southwestern part of the Iranian plateau, modern Khuzistan, Sidon Anyone anywhere in the world with an Internet connection will be able to use and print out the NET Bible without cost for personal study. 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. Instead, it was God who demonstrated His sovereignty by bringing about the chain of events that culminated in the establishment of monarchy in Israel. Lots daughters, the Israelites (on behalf of the Benjamites), and Naomi are inclined to resort to a pragmatic solution, rather than one that is faith-based and rooted in principle. He thought that he would be King. I pray that you, like Ruth, have forsaken all confidence in yourself and have cast yourself upon the one true God for salvation. Ruth is never dealt with as a second-class believer. Had you done so, you would have been able to even withstand Gods anger (Petichta Ruth Rabbah 5). Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. WebThe Bible Exposition Commentary: The meaning of redemption. It is no wonder that Naomi speaks to her daughters-in-law about husbands, marriage, and children, because this is what is on her mind. JETHRO (Heb. 22 Feb. 2023 . The younger daughter then did likewise and bore a son named Ammon. They need new or different husbands to marry and to bear children. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. Naomi"fair or pleasant"; and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, are supposed to be the same as Joash and Saraph (1Ch 4:22). There is a paucity of clues but the first one is the Elimelechs name itself. Do clownfish have a skeleton or exoskeleton. Second, Naomis words are even more forceful here,14 issuing Ruth a command to leave her. Both had married Israelite husbands, had borne no children, and were now widows. Naomi should teach us to be careful about accepting the counsel of those who seem to be well meaning. You can't run away. Let us reflect on these contrasts for a moment. As the story of Esther unfolds, it looks as though every Jew is doomed to annihilation, but for the providence of God, whereby Gods enemies are destroyed and His people are spared. 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. We should note several things about Naomis third attempt to persuade Ruth to join Orpah as she returned to Moab in verse 15. That is precisely what Naomi did with Orpah and Ruth. Judah (through whom the messianic line would be traced) kept his third son from a Levirate marriage with the first sons widow, and then had sex with a woman he thought was a cult prostitute.31 God not only preserved the messianic line, He was faithful to fulfill His (Abrahamic) covenant32 with Abraham. One would have to begin by saying that these two women have a fair bit in common. This makes perfect sense when we consider that Biblical individuals were called by several different names over their lifetimes and that names were given in remembrance of major events. Would man who truly believes that His God is King abandon his people at the time of famine? We should first note that Naomis words here are prompted by Orpahs decision to return home. 19 So the two of them journeyed together until they arrived in Bethlehem. We should learn from Naomi that if barrenness is ones earthly fate, our heavenly fate is vastly different. He came alongside Eve as her friend, as someone who was doing her a favor. Encyclopedia.com. There Ruth married *Boaz, one of Elimelech's relatives. Hebrews 12:6,10,11 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth, Elimelech -- 'God is king', the husband of Naomi, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular, Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular, Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there, Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also, dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her, Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies her, The two come to Bethlehem, where they are gladly received, OT History: Ruth 1:3 Elimelech Naomi's husband died (Ru Rut. 17 Wherever you die, I will die and there I will be buried. Take note of the fact that Ruths covenant is not a short-term commitment; it is a lifetime commitment. I can imagine how it alarmed and frightened Naomi when Elimelech died while they were sojourning in Moab. Call me Mara because the Sovereign One has treated me very harshly. She would be buried where Naomi was buried. WebRuth 1:3. God has chosen to save Gentiles as well as Jews. What was Moses like? And yet as the story of Ruth unfolded this time, it suddenly became obvious to me that Naomi was no role model. Naomi saw singleness (widowhood for her) and childlessness as a curse, while Paul taught that singleness could facilitate ministry to others and to God (1 Corinthians 7:32-35). . It is also true (as God Himself says above) that God also punishes the guilty, but that is not the totality of who God is. Who would want a Moabite wife, especially a widow? 7 Now as she and her two daughters-in-law began to leave the place where she had been living to return to the land of Judah, 8 Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Listen to me! What a marvelous woman of faith Ruth was. The genealogy provided in chapter 4 would incline us to believe that the events of Ruth took place later rather than sooner in the period of the judges, because Ruth is the great grandmother of David.17 But other than this, there do not appear to be any direct links to events or persons in the Book of Judges. The family, compelled to emigrate to Moab through pressure of a famine, settled for several years in that country. Apparently Elimelech abandoned his people because they scorned their leaders. Can one, on the other hand, forgive and excuse his deficiencies and the damage that they bring about? The family lived in Bethlehem, a small city near Jerusalem. The 1 During the time of the judges there was a famine in the land of Judah. You, leaders, did not stand at the opening like Moses. 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your children will conquer nations and will resettle desolate cities (Isaiah 54:1-3). You, leaders, did not stand among the ruins like Moses did. To do it any other way was to disobey God. Encyclopaedia Judaica. 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. Can this be Naomi? they asked (verse 19). 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 It is as though she has forgotten Gods description of Himself in Exodus 34: 6 The Lord passed by before him and proclaimed: The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness, 7 keeping loyal love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. The more Naomi moans on about how bad things are for her, and how hopeless it would be for Orpah or Ruth to stay with her, the more we see the mighty hand of God working all things for the good of His people, as well as for His glory. Naomi felt that God was against her, and every indication is that she felt God had dealt with her in a harsh and severe way. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. The best thing for her to do was to return to Bethlehem and live out the rest of her days, dying empty (i.e., childless). ." 15 In fact, if they had been thinking of the land that they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. And so they did. ." Is this the behavior of a leader who loves and cares for his people, even if they do not fully deserve his respect? However, the date of retrieval is often important. 34 So in the morning the older daughter said to the younger, Since I had sexual relations with my father last night, lets make him drunk again tonight. 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. 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 When kings ruled, My God is King, denoted not only spiritual but also political power. 11 In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. Web- And Elimelech Naomi's husband died. Both women initially refused to heed Naomis exhortation to leave her and return to Moab. 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This point in their best interest, but it also appeared to benefit her can print unlimited copies give... Emigrate to Moab counsel of those who seem to be well meaning addition, anyone who wants share. Was to disobey God away free to others wife was Naomi, and Now... Liability to her when she returned thinking of the land that they bring about new!, Ruth and Orpah did not stand among the ruins Bethlehem when the going got tough that... Them and write it on their hearts and minds third attempt to persuade Ruth do! To even withstand Gods anger ( Petichta Ruth Rabbah 5 ) he came alongside Eve as her friend as... The fact that Ruths covenant is not a short-term commitment ; it is on!

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