We need to bear in mind that what is at stake here is the Messianic line, the line which will ultimately bring forth Messiah. She was not a Jew, and she had not been raised by parents who taught her the law. Surely you would not remain unmarried all that time! This time it is Orpah who kisses Naomi goodbye. He is the ancestor of the Moabites of today. This is the origin of the Moabites and the Ammonites. Mahlon married Ruth in Moab while Kilion married Ruth's sister Orpah. 2 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible. His counsel (even though it effectively called God a liar) was given as though it were in her best interest. "Elimelech A lion approached and he fought off the lion. WebThe Bible Exposition Commentary: The meaning of redemption. A famine plagued Israel in the days of the judges. But Ruth refuses to abandon Naomi and clings to her tightly. (6) Most (if not all) of Naomis actions, attitudes, and advice were misguided and downright wrong. The only hope Naomi sees for Orpah and Ruth is the hope of finding a Moabite husband and bearing children. stream
Ruth, out of love and loyalty to her mother-in-law, accompanied Naomi back to Bethlehem, while Orpah stayed in Moab. One has to ponder the outcome of her decision. Both had married Israelite husbands, had borne no children, and were now widows. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/elimelech, "Elimelech 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. One would have to begin by saying that these two women have a fair bit in common. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. All this is described in the Bible book of Ruth. Who would want a Moabite wife, especially a widow? You will note from the first verse of chapter 1 that the setting for the story of Ruth is the times of the judges. There is a paucity of clues but the first one is the Elimelechs name itself. Copyright Torah.org Project Genesis. The chapter ends with the authors assessment of where things stand, with a hint of what lies ahead. Give a joyful shout and cry out, you who have not been in labor! The two women, now forever bound together by Ruths covenant, continued on their way until they reached Bethlehem. 4 The LORD said to Moses, Arrest all the leaders of the people, and hang them up before the LORD in broad daylight, so that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. 5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, Each of you must execute those of his men who were joined to Baal-peor (Numbers 25:1-5). The ancestors, since they knew their genealogies, would derive names from events. WebDeutsches Jungforschernetzwerk - juFORUM e.V. Lot and his family were spared, but his wife died (turned to salt) because she looked back. 21 I left here full, but the Lord has caused me to return empty-handed. He will do what he says he will do. When it sees people coming, it immediately runs away. Why do you call me Naomi, seeing that the Lord has opposed me, and the Sovereign One has caused me to suffer? 22 So Naomi returned, accompanied by her Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth, who came back with her from the region of Moab. in 1971. Their ultimate blessing would have been to leave their land, their people, their false religion, and to identify with the Israelites and with their God. You can't run away. I am reminded of Satans strategy in the Garden of Eden. The wonder is that God remained faithful to those who so easily abandoned Him. Without a doubt, this is the most amazing and distressing thing Naomi has said so far. You must not bow down to their gods; you must not serve them or do according to their practices. Web1290 BC Elimelech dies, likely stricken by God for abandoning his inheritance, allowing his two sons to marry Moabites and not joining the battle against Benjamin in Judges 20. No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend (Isaiah 55:8-11). It is not only Ruth and Naomi who benefit from Gods work in the Book of Ruth, for everyone who has been saved by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ has been saved by the offspring of Ruth and Boaz. She had to leave her family, her homeland, and her gods and go to the place of Gods blessing. Naomi was married to Elimelech and had two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. It was a bad start, and sadly things didnt get any better over time. 15 The translations differ here. Here the name reflects the mans essence.The name of one was Peleg, for in his days, the entire world became divided (ni-peleg-a) (Geneis 10,25) This name was was given for Dispersion (after the Tower of Babel) that occurred during Pelegs lifetime. To her, Gods blessings should appear now, in the form of bread, an eligible bachelor (marriage), and babies. Take note of the fact that Ruths covenant is not a short-term commitment; it is a lifetime commitment. While they were in Moab, Elimelech died, leaving Naomi and her two sons. What are the disadvantages of shielding a thermometer? Naomi also made it clear that this was because (in her mind) God had dealt harshly with her.16 Naomi measured Gods blessing only in terms of food and of family. 9 May the Lord enable each of you to find security in the home of a new husband! Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept loudly. A godly Israelite would not only trust in the one true God, Yahweh, they would also know that there are no other gods. The term she used to refer to Him Shaddai was a term that emphasized Gods great power. The contrast between Ruth and Naomi. Naomi was preoccupied with the here and now, rather than trusting in Gods covenant promises by faith. They would be a reminder that Elimelech and Naomi had left Bethlehem when the going got tough. We find Ruth contrasted with Orpah, and then with Naomi. ELAM (Heb. Encyclopaedia Judaica. Holy MatrimonyMarriage 1Marriage 2The Tenaim TranslatedThe Kesubah TranslatedMarriage and the Royal FamilyMarital Partners Compatibility of MissionsEverlasting Happiness10 Mistakes Couples Make, AbarbanelShem MeShmuelShabbos: Taam ChaimMikraHaarosGrowing with the ParshaGal Einai Jerusalem ViewsSfas EmesWeekly HalachaOsher HaChaim. Posted on September 7, 2005 By Rabbi Dr. Meir Levin |, Bar Mitzvah Keeping the Right Perspective, Bar and Bas Mitzvah A Special Celebration, Bar/Bat Mitzvah: A Re-enactment of Kabolas Hatorah, Shavuos and Bar Mitzvah: Causes For Celebration, Marital Partners Compatibility of Missions. In an effort to escape the famine, a man named Elimelech took his family to Moab, where he intended for his family to sojourn until the famine ended.10 How could he have imagined how long his family would stay? The Bible did not say how this happened, but the household was now comprised of three widows. 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. How wrong she was! 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 Is this the behavior of a leader who loves and cares for his people, even if they do not fully deserve his respect? You need to get right with God. And his little boys died too. In Job and in Ruth, this term seems to underscore Gods power, but in the context of suffering and adversity. WebElimelech and his sons all died in Moab, leaving Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah widowed. Who would want Naomi for a mother-in-law? Many are the times when friends counsel others to act in their own best interests, and all too seldom do they point their friends to the difficult principles and commands of Scripture. The woman was left of her two sons and her husband , The Lord had visited his people in giving them bread . 12 The word new is not in the original text. That is why some men and women will choose never to marry or to bear children. Beware of well-meaning advice that is not rooted in Scripture and that is supportive of what you would really like to do, rather than what God commands us to do. When they entered Bethlehem, the whole village was excited about their arrival. Having started off on a rather negative note, let me hasten to say that the Book of Ruth is a breath of fresh air for those of us who have just come from the Book of Judges. iddunnu) comes from the root , Hadad Lot and his two daughters are now living in a cave. Like a faithful shepherd whose corral- fence fell as darkness approached. Instead you must completely overthrow them and smash their standing stones to pieces (Exodus 23:24). How could Naomi point them in the wrong direction? Such people are in misery, and honestly, they make those around them miserable as well. In our text, Naomis conversation with her daughters-in-law is couched in language that gives the appearance that she is encouraging them to return to their families and their land because this would be in their best interest. There we read of the Sodom-like immorality of some of the Benjamites in the city of Gibeah, which resulted in the near extinction of their tribe. What a relief it is to leave Judges behind and come to the Book of Ruth! 14 For whenever the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things required by the law, these who do not have the law are a law to themselves. For example: And he called his name Noach, meaning to say, This one will give us comfort (e-noach-meinu) (Genesis 5, 29). Naomi adds one final argument in favor of Orpah and Ruth returning home to Moab. To do it any other way was to disobey God. 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. Stated in the words of the author of Judges, every man (and woman) was doing what was right in their own eyes. Here is a woman who is not walking by faith, but by sight, who is not living according to the law, but in disregard for it. It must have been on Naomis watch that these two sons married their Moabite wives Orpah and Ruth. Just being Jewish and knowing the Law of Moses isnt enough; one must also live by the law. 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. The NEW ENGLISH TRANSLATION, also known as THE NET BIBLE, is a completely new translation of the Bible, not a revision or an update of a previous English version. Who even remembers her name? The resolution to these irregularities is primarily exegetical. 11 In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. Her faith and obedience was known by all. Text Copyright It has been supplied by the translators. This was a violation of the Mosaic law (De 7:3; 23:3; Ezr 9:2; Ne 13:23); and Jewish writers say that the early deaths of both the young men were divine judgments inflicted on them for those unlawful connections. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous before God, but those who do the law will be declared righteous. 20 Yet the children born during your time of bereavement will say within your hearing. But the most dramatic new development in Naomis argument is her reference to Orpahs god: 15 So Naomi said, Look, your sister-in-law is returning to her people and to her god. It is not Naomis belief in the sovereignty of God that troubles me as much as how she applies it. ." She believes in a God who is all powerful, but who is not merciful and compassionate. ). It must be, the Sages reasoned, that Elimelech misread his destiny. We know of Abimelech, son of the leader Gideon and Abimelech, the King of Gerar. Which is greater 36 yards 2 feet and 114 feet 2 inch? Im an Assyrian not a Syrian. WebBecause of a severe famine in Judea, he emigrated to the land of Moab with his wife and his sons, Mahlon and Chilion. - As part of a small team, I organized a five-day congress (90 participants, budget 17,000), the largest yearly event of the association. , ' eylam; Elamite halhatamti; Akk. Call me Mara because the Sovereign One has treated me very harshly. We must be aware that they taught in riddles and parables (Proverbs 1, 2) and that our task is extract and restate their message in the conceptual language that we use today. But when she urged Ruth to return to her pagan god(s), that was the worst unkindness of all. 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. <>
Her boys ended up choosing Moabite women to marry and these women became part of Naomis family. But when there was a famine in the land, they moved to the neighboring country of Moab. Think of it: Naomi and her husband leave the land where God promised to bless them. They insisted on going on to Israel with Naomi. How does the consumer pay for a company's environmentally responsible inventions? The men in the family die, leaving Naomi alone with her two daughters-in- law, Ruth and Orpah. We will return with you to your people., 11 But Naomi replied, Go back home, my daughters! Elimelech was severely punished for his failings but the good within him was preserved and rewarded and he became the progenitor of the Royal line. He deals out Justice, rejecting the bad and rewarding the good. He lived during the period of the Judges, had a hereditary possession near Bethlehem, and is chiefly known as the husband of Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ru and ancestress of David the king. 10 But they said to her, No! We should notice that it was not until after Elimelechs death that they married. The barley harvest will play a significant role in moving this story forward in the next two chapters. 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. Such early setting out of the players is quite unusual in Biblical writing. He went first from Israel, the land of the living, and led them thence, and so he now goeth out of Instead of trusting God to preserve her husbands line (indeed, the Messianic line), she at least passively (if not actively) approves of their marriage to non-Israelites. This is entirely consistent with Old Testament history and with the warnings recorded in Leviticus 26:18-20 and Deuteronomy 28:23-24. Naomi should teach us to be careful about accepting the counsel of those who seem to be well meaning. Spouse. Humanly speaking, staying with Naomi does not offer much promise of a good life for these Moabite widows. Not only is Naomi unable to provide these women with husbands (and thus with children), God is also dealing harshly with her. As Orpah kisses Naomi goodbye and turns back toward home, Ruth clings all the more tightly to her mother-in-law. As you will recall, Mrs. How did Elimelech know that strict justice was (loose) in the world? (1) There is no clear link to a particular time, to a particular judge, or to a particular event recorded in the Book of Judges. Rabbi Shimon Ben Gamliel said: The ancestors who used the power of Divine Inspiration drew names out of (future) events; we who do not have access to Divine Inspiration, draw names from our forefathers (Genesis Rabbah 37,7)., What does the name Elimelech mean? After about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion died. They came empty (at least according to Naomis assessment see verse 21), but God would not let them go hungry (or childless). Part of the story about Naomi plays there, and another part in Bethlehem. His faithfulness to His people and to His covenant is at a time when His people are not faithful to Him and when they are living in disregard for His law. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Douay-Rheims Bible And Elimelech the husband of Noemi died: and she remained with her sons. Dagon For my intense suffering is too much for you to bear. "I Have Already Written of You Thrice:" Megilat Esther and the Eternal War with Amalek, Many Can Have "Urim" - Power; But Few Have "Tumim" Power. Once again I would suggest that Naomis strong urging for Ruth and Orpah to return was as much for her interests as for her daughters-in-law. Instead, it was God who demonstrated His sovereignty by bringing about the chain of events that culminated in the establishment of monarchy in Israel. In her third attempt, she orders Ruth to follow her sister-in-law back home. In the past, Naomi was always portrayed in a somewhat flattering way. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! In the midst of her affliction and hopeless despair, God is at work preparing for the gracious things He is about to reveal to her and to the reader. 38 The younger daughter also gave birth to a son and named him Ben-Ammi. It says in verse three that Elimelech died in Moab. WebThe Bible Exposition Commentary: The meaning of redemption. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. 14 For those who speak in such a way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. And thus there is no evidence of repentance on her part at this point in time. This is the edited manuscript of Lesson 1 in the series, Ruth: A Story of Redemption, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh on January 10, 2010. And so they did. Therefore, its best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publications requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. Machlon and Chillon died also both of them. There were no men nearby to marry, she reasoned, so there was no conventional way25 for them to bear children and thus to preserve their fathers line. It was a good number of years ago that I sat in on an excellent elective class taught by my friend, Tom Wright. xkOF;GBYH6=3fn=3_]o{09j?]YNvflo'N_~iv4:8N.N";>5"!2M*bNH$!E/EA@e|h9!MSrj:3Y^&!:Xqw-8O?n#-"XY+;-ZN$ayCp}k _F+w +g du]yB2 (0#`2BYfeu(pV,!g\A:>ffY)Yr,gl}*>3|5g-a>F#oE|v0m7G;o}\B,=y"Z|GMogbAD[ J6tW8!jm4GIt\ul4yg2b>x|YH&-B(k7zk4%>5z$@Q8nK+ja4aAqTND&QqM @%(g]v/mnn-vTY2^JrxVNgl/'u:K-cdw>-xs_X0$%.$f#X2l| @n:c
0/#S=>k"ey4=^Gy^tb^ e Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. (February 22, 2023). Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, Ruth: A Story of Redemption -- A Study of the Book of Ruth. Follow your sister-in-law back home! (Ruth 1:15). Both women initially refused to heed Naomis exhortation to leave her and return to Moab. The family lived in Bethlehem, a small city near Jerusalem. 4 0 obj
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