Finding Safety in God's Care, the Story of RuthНамуна

Sad developments

“Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. … and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.” (Ruth 1:3-5)

Naomi and her husband Elimelech had fled from the land of Canaan because of a famine. But their stay in Moab did not bring the prosperity they had hoped for. First, Elimelech died, and his two sons married Moabite women (although God had forbidden marrying women from a people who did not serve Him). Their marriages remained childless, and after ten years both young men also died. Naomi was left alone with her two daughters-in-law.

What sorrow, described in a few verses! This family was experiencing the ultimate consequence that God had announced if the people did not listen to Him and continued to go against Him, even after repeated warnings and corrective punishments: “You shall perish among the nations, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up” (Leviticus 26:38). Their situation seemed hopeless. And yet this is only the beginning of the story. This history moves towards hope and unexpected happiness. We will read about that in the coming days.

Are you perhaps also in a hopeless situation? Maybe even through your own fault? Then let the book of Ruth encourage you: with God, there is always hope!