The book of Ruth opens during the period of the Judges when apostasy, decadence, violence, anarchy, and warfare were the norm.
Famine strikes Bethlehem, which means a house of bread.
In this time of need, Elimelech, which means my God is King, seems to depart from the plan and desires of God.
He takes Naomi, which means pleasantness and favor, away from the land of promise and the covenant people of God into the land of Israel’s enemies, Moab.
With them go their two sons, Mahlon, which means joy or song, and Chilion, which means ornament or perfection. These men seem to have stepped out of the revealed will of God in His Word by marrying pagan, gentile women of God’s enemies.
Away from the land of promise in Moab [descendants of Lot who worshiped Chemosh a god of human sacrifice by burning], Elimelech [my God is King] dies and so does Mahlon [joyful song] and Chilion [ornament of perfection].
After ten years of hardship, Naomi [pleasant sweetness] becomes Mara [bitterness]. With all those she ever loved buried beneath the sod of Moab [her husband and two sons]. She finally looks back at the land of promise because food is available in Bethlehem.
As she returns home, she asks her daughters-in-law to return to their families and find a new life. In one of the most touching moments of the Scriptures, Ruth [satisfied, fullness] clings to Naomi and the God of Israel. Orpah [stiff-necked, double-minded] departs for her people in Moab.
The two main sources of extra-biblical history on this period are the widely respected references Encyclopaedia Judaica and the Jewish Encyclopedia. Both record the historical note that Orpah and Ruth were descendants of Eglon, King of Moab.
When Orpah left Naomi, she forsook the God of Israel, embraced the gods of Moab, married and bore a child, and from her descendants came Harafu, the mother of the four Philistine giants, one who was named Goliath.
It is fascinating that David, Ruth’s grandson, met and destroyed Goliath, Orpah’s grandson. The result is a simple turn in the path of life. What a great difference small decisions make.
From OTI-08 – Ruth – The Woman Who Would Not Turn Back (960124WE)
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