Ruth 1: 1: Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. 2: And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
In this day, it may not be too difficult to put ourselves in Elimelech's shoes. The people in Bethlehemjudah had turned from worshipping the Lord, there was a famine in the land, and things were prospering pretty well in the country of Moab. So like any loving father and husband would do, while he had the means to do so, Elimelech packed up and moved to Moab.
Now, knowing our own sinful flesh, it is easy to imagine how Elimelech might have justified this move in his own mind. We have some indication of it in verse one which tells us he went to sojourn in the country of Moab. Elimelech might have said, "Now, it is honorable for a man to provide for his family; that's all I am trying to do. It's not like we are forsaking the assembly of the saints, this is temporary. We're only going to sojourn in the country of Moab. We'll be back." But read the last sentence of verse two, And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
The only thing Elimelech would have been starved of by staying in Bethlehem was his own desire for the pleasures to which he had grown accustomed. We read no where in scripture of anyone dying from this famine. The only thing Elimelech would have given up by staying in Bethlehem was the temporal delights which had become his false gods; which had come between him and the Lord. But rather than suffer the loss of those things, rather than honoring the Lord by providing for his brethren with the substance he had, rather than hearkening to the Word of the Lord and submitting to the Lord--this man whose name means "My God is King"; of the tribe of Ephraim which means "Fruitfulness"'; of Bethlehem which means "House of Bread";--yes, this man left the place where his family could worship the Covenant God, turned his back on the people of God, and moved his family to a land of idolatry simply because he insisted on having his own way. And it cost him everything. Ruth 1:3: And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4: And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5: And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
Brethren, the one thing believer's must do is never turn from God to our own way. The place where the Lord's name is declared in truth, where his people dwell, is the place we must camp. It matters not if we understand his providential dealings with us or not. In times of plenty or times of poverty seek the Lord first, submit to him alone, and encourage brethren to do the same. That is exactly what the Lord instructs us to do in Proverbs 3: 5: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7: Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8: It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
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LOCATION & TELEPHONE Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd floor 150 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ, 08553 Pastor's Telephone: 615-513-4464
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Sunday 10 AM Bible Class 11 AM Morning Worship Thursday 7:00 PM Mid-week Service (The first Sunday of each month, morning worship begins at 10am followed by observing the Lord's Table. Afterwards we have lunch together.)
NOTE: We especially welcome our friends who are so consistently listening, reading and commenting from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. For those who might like to visit us without missing their regular services, our mid-week worship service is on Thursday night at 7:00 pm. We welcome you to join us in worship of the Lord our Righteousness.