Dr. Lawrence Butler, The Bridge Church, Pembroke

The timeframe during which this book occurred is the time of the judges in Israel. The history of Israel in the period of the judges was one of constant struggle, failure to serve the Lord and the resulting punishment from God.

Judges were leaders who were divinely chosen to deliver God’s people from the bondage and servitude of Israel to its neighbors which came as punishment from God for their sins of idolatry.

True repentance brought forgiveness each time, just as it will today.

In the story of Ruth, a desperate famine came upon Israel in Judah, specifically upon the town of Bethlehem. This was the eventual birthplace of King David and then ultimately Jesus Christ. Bethlehem means the “house of bread,” and for there to be a famine in this place was certainly heartbreaking. Famines were not unusual occurrences in Israel. They were, however, often a test of faith as seen in the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Joseph.

When things are difficult we should not necessarily conclude this is God’s punishment, but perhaps a chance to prove our trust in the Almighty. He has promised to help us in every situation.

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Isaiah 43:2). Not everyone left Bethlehem since we see the community was still existing and prospering when Naomi returned. Don’t stop working and praying because things became harsh, that is the time to fight harder in faith.

When Elimelech chose to leave Israel, he headed to the land of Moab. The Moabites were neighbors of the Israelites and were blood kin to them through Abraham. They were descendants of Lot who was of the same family as Abraham. However, they did not serve the Lord God Jehovah but became idolaters and often enemies of Israel. This was not a good location to put down family roots and become like their neighbors. The sad result was that neither Elimelech nor his two sons lived to return home. Elimelech left a widow with no one to help her, and two widowed daughters- in-law who were aliens from the Lord. He should have stayed home and trusted God. “ Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed” (Psalms 37:3).

Believe His promises.