RUTH SERIES- PART 1

THE DANGER OF COMPROMISING AFTER KNOWING THE GOD OF JACOB

The story of Ruth revolves around one particular family distressed in the famine that came upon Bethlehem. The name ‘Elimelech’ signifies my     God, a king, which is agreeable to the state of the Israelites as the Lord was their king, and comfortable to him and his family in their affliction, that God was theirs and he reigns forever.

The removal of this family from Bethlehem into the country of Moab on the other side of Jordan, for subsistence, because of the famine, Ruth 1: 1-2. It seems that there was plenty in the country of Moab when there was scarcity of bread in the land of Israel. It is not because God loves the Moabites better and that is why he made abundant provision for them, but because they have their portion in life.

Elimelech decided to go to Moab, not to settle forever, but to sojourn for a time. His decision to go with his wife, Naomi, and his two sons; Mahlon and Chilion is really commendable. His acts went in line with the scriptures that says

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1 Timothy. 5: 8

When He was in his straits he did not forsake his house, to go and seek for his fortunes himself as some would have done, and leave their wives and children to seek for their own fortunes themselves, but as become a tender husband and a loving father.

The truth is that it is very difficult to justify his sojourn in Moab, since Israelites were now fixed, and ought not to relocate to the territories of the heathen. Elimelech had no sensible reasons to go beyond any of his neighbours. The fact is that, the people who tarried at home, it appears that the famine was not so extreme but that was sufficient to keep life and soul together; maybe, he thought the short allowance his neighbours took up won’t be sufficient to keep his family together

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Tim. 6: 6

It was his fault, his attitude dishonour God and the good land the Lord had given them by thinking he could not live in hope, that there would come years of plenty again in due time. He really weakens the hand of his brethren. If everybody decides to do as he did during that period, Canaan would have been left desolate.

Believers must know that it is an evident of discontented, distrustful, disloyalty, to be weary of the place in which God had set us, and the idea to leave it immediately whenever we meet any uneasiness or inconvenience is totally wrong. It is folly to think of escaping that cross which being laid on our way, we ought to take up.

Even if Elimelech would move, why should it be the country of Moab? Why can’t he make enquiry in some of the other tribes of Israel, or even across Jordan in the land of the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Mannasseh. If he truly had the zeal for God and his worship, and deep affection for his brethren, he would not have persuaded himself so easily to sojourn among the Moabites.

Little did Elimelech think when he went to sojourn in moab, that his sons would join in affinity with the daughters of Moab. His two sons married two of the daughters of Moab and not Israelites. Mahlon married Ruth while Chilion married Orpah. Elimelech and his two sons soon die after their marriage. The death he was scared of in Canaan soon overtook them. He never relied on the God of Jacob who can see him through during the period of the famine. He should have learnt from Jacob and his sons during the famine which made Joseph the first prime minister in Egypt.

The danger of undermining or neglecting the power of the God of Jacob could be very severe. Elimelech lost everything; he lost his soul, his children, one of his daughters-in-law, who eventually backslided.

It is quite painful to note that as soon as Orpah took that decision to prefer the idols of Moab to the holy one of Israel, Heaven closed her chapter in the bible and the bible never mention her name again. Consequences of compromising could be very severe. She lost all her family, she lost her faith, she lost her conviction and she never came to Canaan, the promise land.

The moment you start comparing the Lord with the idols in your village, then you are doom for destruction. You better be wise. The family of Elimelech thought Orpah had changed not knowing that she still had a place in her heart for the idols of Moab. She went back to her idols and she lost access to Heaven.

BLESS YOU!

DeleKelvin