Village Schools of the Bible

THE ROMANCE OF REDEMPTION
A Devotional Study of Ruth
by Max Frazier, Jr.

NO BREAD IN BETHLEHEM
Ruth 1:1

Elimelech and Naomi were from Bethlehem. That name in the Hebrew means, "the house of bread." We are not told why this town was given this particular name, but the Hebrews always equated a name with special significance. We do know from Ruth 2:17 and Ruth 2:23 that both wheat and barley were grown around Bethlehem. Both grains were the staples of life for many of the people who lived there.

Bread has always been the mainstay of life. There is hardly a culture that does not produce a bread-type substance for living. I remember my very first night in Hungary. Boy was I ever hungry after that long flight. There, before us on the table was bread - not American bread with a hard crust and a soft inside, but day old Hungarian bread - hard crust and hard inside. I was soon to learn that bread formed the backbone of the Hungarian mealtime activity.

Even Jesus told us, when we prayed the prayer which we know as the Lord's Prayer, that we should ask that God give us our daily bread. Jesus said of Himself that He was the bread of life and that if anyone ate of Him that they would never hunger again. Jesus knew the importance of bread.

But, why was there no bread in Bethlehem? Because the Israelites had chosen to live in sin, God had sent the Midianites to oppress them. Now the Midianites were a shrewd bunch. They allowed the Israelites to work the fields in the spring, plant the crops, tend and care for them during the summer months, and then when the crops were harvested, they would suddenly descend upon the villagers and plunder the food supplies. The net result was a famine which affected the entire land.

Friends, there is a lesson we must learn in the fact that there was no bread in Bethlehem. God must always punish sin. Our sin will always create a barrier, a wall, between us and God. The fellowship which we have with Him will be severed. The blessings which we have come to expect from Him will not be present. We may not experience a material famine, such as Elimelech and Naomi experienced, but we will experience a spiritual famine in our lives when we choose to live in disobedience.

Friends, a famine of physical necessities is tragic. But more tragic is a famine affecting the spiritual lives of men and women. How we need to safeguard our lives so that we do not become a spiritual wasteland.

Father, It is with eagerness that we begin this study in Ruth. Today You have already warned us about the realities which come when we neglect our spiritual lives. Father, we hunger and thirst, not because we do not have, but because we have chosen not to eat and to drink from Your Word. I am thankful for the Village Schools and for our friends and students who understand the importance of daily feasting from Your Word. Father, please continue to give us a spiritual appetite. We pray in Christ's name. Amen.

ELIMELECH'S MISTAKE
Ruth 1:2-7

As we observed in our last study, things were not going well in Bethlehem, the hometown of Elimelech and Naomi. Because of the hand of God's judgment, the people were suffering a severe famine because of the presence of the Midianites. Food became scarce. People lived in fear. Hope was gone.

Elimelech was concerned about his family's welfare, so they packed their bags and moved to Moab. Now his concern was commendable, but I truly believe that Elimelech's decision was not justified. Let me share the following reasons:

First, Israel had become fixed in the Promised Land and there was no reason to go running to another heathen land. Elimelech should have known that running never produced victory. It only produced sorrow. We have the example of Abraham in Genesis 12. What did he do when he arrived in the Promised Land and found a famine? Did he remain in that place which God told him about? NO! He entered into Egypt because of the famine. What were the consequences of that decision? He was forced to lie to save his own life. He compromised the integrity of his wife. His testimony was damaged for God. We should never leave the place where God has planted us until He tells us it is time to go. And the text never relates that God told Elimelech to go into Moab.

Second, Elimelech's name meant "God is king." Yet by his actions he could not live up to that belief. Elimelech thought he was in charge. He was not sure he could trust God in this situation. He could not fully trust God to supply all his needs.

God has never promised us a bed of roses if we would follow Him. He has not promised that our skies would always be blue. Jesus never said that being a Christian would be easy. But God has promised to be faithful to us and to supply all our needs and to be with us all the time.

Friends, this is a difficult message for us today. We live in an age where we want everything easy. We expect everything to be easy. I have talked with people who have quit jobs because they were too hard. I have visited with students who have dropped classes because they were too difficult. We live in an "instant" society. Just go into your grocery store and notice the "convenience food" section which keeps growing and growing. Look at the increase in 'fast food" eateries. We want everything to be easy for us.

But the message of Jesus is of struggles and temptations and warfare. Jesus said He did not come to bring peace but a sword. So how do we communicate this message today? I find that too often we do as Elimelech did - we run off to a place where it is easy. How often do we dilute the Gospel in order to attract people. We call this "easy believism." We will do just about anything to accommodate people to Christ. But Jesus is not in the accommodating business. He does not like "Moab mentality." When difficulties arise, God wants us to bloom where we are planted and to trust Him for the beauty which will be manifest.

Father, Because of the society we live in, we do find it difficult to think of enduring trials and discouragement. Yes, we do want to run away as did Naomi and Elimelech, hoping to find peace in another place. How we need to learn to just trust You for our todays. How we need to learn to be content wherever You have planted us. You make no mistakes with our lives because we are Your children. So, please help us to trust in You with all our hearts and not to lean upon our own understanding about the situations in which we find ourselves. Then we will give You the praise in Jesus' name. Amen.

GOD AT WORK IN GODLESS MOAB
Ruth 1:8-9

Things have not gone well for Naomi and her family since they had arrived in Moab. To be certain, things started out well. Both Mahlon and Chilion, the sons of Elimelech and Naomi, met and married two Moabite women - Orpah and Ruth. But then Elimelech died and soon both of the boys died as well. Now word came to Naomi that the famine in Bethlehem had ceased (probably due to the great victory of Gideon over the Midianites). Naomi began to make plans to return home. She gathers her two daughters-in-law and shares with them her intentions.

Naomi asks Orpah and Ruth to return to their mothers' homes. She, herself, is going to return to Bethlehem. Naomi then prays for her two daughters-in-law. Now what strikes me, as I study this prayer, found in Ruth 1, verses 8 and 9, is the name of God which she uses. She calls God, Yahweh or LORD (with capital letters). This was the personal name for God. She could have used the term Elohim, which was a more general term for God. But, she didn't. Why did she use LORD?

First, Naomi knew God intellectually. She knew about God in her mind. Many people know about God intellectually. I remember a conversation which I had a few years ago with a couple of leaders in the community in which Marlys and I lived. We began to talk about religion and the problems of the day. Now, both of these men knew about God. They could talk about God from their minds. God was not foreign to them. But they could not talk about God personally.

Second, Naomi knew God emotionally. Many of the cults in the world today claim an experiential knowledge about God. Their concept of God is focused on one emotional high after another. Yet we are admonished not to put our trust in our emotions.

Third, Naomi knew God personally and spiritually. Naomi was on intimate terms with God. She really knew God. Her relationship with God was like that of a marriage. Some of you have met my wife Marlys. A few of you might know some things about her. But I am the only one who can say, "I know Marlys Frazier."

Remember those words of Thomas when Jesus appeared to him: "My Lord and my God." Those are terms of intimacy. Remember those words of Mary when Jesus appeared to her in the garden that first Easter morning: "Rabonni, Master." Those are terms of intimacy. Remember the desire expressed by Paul that he might know Christ and the fellowship of His sufferings. Those are terms of intimacy. Friends, may I ask you if you know Christ personally and spiritually today? Are you intimate with Him? Does He know you intimately? Oh the joys of saying, "I know Jesus Christ."

Father, I am thankful for this intimacy which Naomi had with You even in the midst of her grief. She had lost those who were dear to her. She was in a strange land. Yet she knew You. Lord, how we pray for that kind of an intimate relationship with You. We echo the words of that little chorus which declares how we long to know You more because the greatest thing in our life is to know Christ. It is for this intimacy which we pray in Christ's name. Amen.

A MOTHER PRAYS FOR HER DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW
Ruth 1:8-13

A sorrowing Naomi has gathered her two daughters-in-law around her. She has decided to return to Bethlehem to see if she can pick up the pieces of her life. She has nothing more to offer these two young women who are also in the midst of sorrow, each having lost her husband.

Naomi prays for these two young widows who have meant much to her. She prays, in verse 8 of chapter 1, that God would deal kindly with them as they had been kind to her in her sorrow and grief. How does God deal kindly with us?

First, God supplies all our needs so we do not need to worry. Remember these words from the Apostle Paul's pen: And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Jesus told His disciples during His Sermon on the Mount that they were not to worry about what to eat or what to wear or where they were going to live. God understands the daily needs of His children and will provide for them. At times we need to have the faith like that of the little four-year old boy who was being put to bed by his father, who noticed a piece of rope tied to the boy's bed. "What's the rope for?" asked the father. "I'm praying for a pony tonight," said the boy, "and that rope is for the angels to tie the pony to my bed." Friends, God deals kindly with us in supplying all our needs out of His infinite resources in glory. You need not worry about God ever running out of anything.

Second, God provides a way of escape in times of temptations. Allow me to share that great promise from 1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. Even in the midst of her suffering, Naomi knew the presence of God. What a tremendous blessing to know that God will not give us more than we can handle with His help. That truly is dealing kindly with us.

Finally, God will provide security and rest and blessing for us. I am reminded of these words from Isaiah: And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. Then my people will live in a peaceful habitation, And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places (Isaiah 32:17-18).

All blessings come from God. And, when we trust Him, He will give us rest.

Our Father in heaven, I want to praise You because You are the one who has provided for all our needs, including giving us encouragement in the times of temptation. Thank You for dealing kindly with us. Help us to always remember the many benefits which You give to us. Father, we have so much for which to praise You. Bless the Lord, O my soul! In Christ's name I pray. Amen.

TWO PICTURES OF LOVE
Ruth 1:14-18

Now Naomi could have forced her two daughters-in-law to return with her to Bethlehem, and thus they could have escaped the snares of idolatry in the land of Moab and been converted to God. But Naomi did not want them to come with her because of pressure by her. No, if these two young ladies were to come with her, then they would have to make a deliberate choice and sit down and count the cost.

Now both Orpah and Ruth loved Naomi. Of this we can be certain. Both had witnessed the grief Naomi had gone through. In fact, they had shared a similar grief. The future looked bleak for these three widows. As we have read, Naomi had heard news that things were better back home. She would leave Moab and return there, hoping to pick up the pieces of her life, at least those pieces that remained. After hearing her initial plans, both Orpah and Ruth committed themselves to going with her.

Then Naomi appealed to their logic. These young women still had their futures ahead of them. Naomi appealed to their minds to stay back in Moab. And here is where Orpah and Ruth showed a different love. Orpah stated, "Naomi, what you said makes sense. I do love you and I wish for you the very best, but you are right, I do need to think about myself and my needs. So I will go back home."

Orpah had counted the cost and was not willing to pay the price of going to Bethlehem. Orpah decided that she loved her ownself, her own country, and her own desires to have a husband more than she loved Naomi.

This is a certain picture of many people today. They will not come to Christ as Savior because they have their own agendas to maintain. They might have a career they want to explore. They might have a boy or girl they want to marry. They might have a sin they want to indulge in. Face it, they want to live their own lives as they see fit. They don't want to face the costs of following Jesus. It was Jim Elliot who said, He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Orpah was a big loser. She returns to Moab. She returns to her pagan ways. She is lost forever from the pages of Scripture. And all because she was not willing to pay the cost.

The entreaty of Naomi made Ruth the more willing to go. She was not really concerned about her own welfare, but she had a deep love for Naomi that caused her to sacrifice herself for her mother-in-law. Ruth had a heart of love. Why could she make this type of sacrifice? I believe the answer is found in verse 17: Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me. Notice the word for God she uses there. It is the same word Naomi used earlier - Yahweh - LORD. Ruth had already come to trust in God personally. She had already become as intimate with Him as had Naomi. Ruth had observed the witness in the life of Naomi. Thus, Ruth was willing to forsake everything to follow the Lord.

Father, we rejoice in the decision which Ruth made to leave her family, her friends, and her culture to be with Naomi. Even in her sorrow, Naomi had demonstrated the presence of God in such a way that it had made a tremendous impact upon the life of Ruth. Lord, help me to never forget that someone is always watching my life and it may be the only Bible which they will ever read. Help me to always point them to Jesus. This I pray in Christ's name. Amen.

A CHANGED NAME
Ruth 1:19-22

We often hear people use the expression, "My how you have changed! Is that really you?" This often happens when we have not seen that person for quite some time. Within the context of these closing verses of Ruth chapter one, we could say that that expression summarized the content very well. Naomi was going home. She had spent the last ten years in Moab. But she returned home a different woman than she had left.

As Naomi approaches the city of Bethlehem, the women run out and meet her, exclaiming, "Is this Naomi?" There was something very different about this Naomi from the one they had known ten years previously. Yes, this Naomi was indeed different. She was now a widow and had also buried her only two sons. She has returned to Bethlehem, not the woman of prominence she had enjoyed ten years ago, but a woman of sorrow and destitution. And yet, God was at work in her life, and so, there was a change.

Whenever a person has had an encounter with God, our lives are forever impacted and people do cry out, "Is that really you?" I am reminded of that outstanding testimony found in Acts 4:13, where, after observing the lives of the Apostles, even in the midst of persecution, the religious leaders took note that these men had been with Jesus. God always produces a changed life.

I had an Uncle Charlie. He and Aunt Bess lived in Salem, Oregon, where Uncle Charlie worked on a fruit farm. He grew some of the best cherries I have ever eaten. Uncle Charlie came to know Christ as his Savior later in life. Before that time, he was a chain-smoker. But when he got saved, God removed from his life the desire for tobacco. At first Uncle Charlie thought he would box up all his cigarettes and ship them to his brother, my Uncle Benton. But then he reasoned, "if God had told him that tobacco was bad for him, then those cigarettes would be bad for his brother also." So he burned them all. Everyone knew about a change in Uncle Charlie's life.

God is still in the business of changing lives. Yet for Naomi, the workings of God were not pleasant. In fact, she asks that her name be changed from Naomi to Mara, which means "bitter, bitterness." This name expressed the tremendous sorrow in Naomi's life.

The question naturally comes to our minds: Did these sorrowful circumstances ultimately damper her Christian testimony? I believe, as one looks at the evidence within the book of Ruth, that the answer is no. As one reads verse 20, Naomi ascribes the name of Almighty to God. Now this was not the common biblical name for God. In fact, it is found only 48 times in the Old Testament, with 31 of those times coming in Job. It is first found in Genesis 17:1 where God established His eternal covenant with Abraham. It is also used in Genesis 28:3 in the context of Jacob's wrestling with God. In each of these passages the thought is of the power of God. God disposes as He sees fit, and no obstacle can stand in His way. Yet, also, there is that thought of the compassion of God. God blessed Abraham and Jacob and gave precious promises to them.

Secondly, I notice that Naomi is not bitter or antagonistic toward God. She has graciously accepted what God has done, although she had not fully understood it. Sometimes God must bring us to the point of complete brokenness in order for Him to use us. Although Naomi did not know it, God was about to use her and her family in a very special way that is still bringing blessings to people all around the world.

Father, I praise You that You are a God who delights to work Your will in the lives of Your children. We might not always understand why You do what You do. But may we be like Naomi and graciously receive from Your hand what You give. We give You praise in Christ's name. Amen.

Return to Introduction Ruth 2