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Famine, Deaths, and Decisions

Once upon a time around 1294 BC, a family of four left the town of Bethlehem in the land of Judah due to famine. Elimelech, whose name means “The Strength of the King”, was the father; Naomi, whose name means “Beautiful Grace of God”, was the mother; and Mahlon and Kilion, whose names mean “Sickly” and “Failing”, respectively, were the two sons. 

The family owned farmland, yet Elimelech decided to leave Bethlehem to ride out the famine in the country of Moab, whose people served pagan gods. Importantly, the family intended to return to Bethlehem once the famine ended. 

After settling in Moab, Elimelech, the father, died. Naomi and her sons remained in Moab. The sons married Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth, whose names mean “Stubbornness” and “Friendship”, respectively. After about ten years, both sons died.

The famine ended. The three childless widows decided to go to Bethlehem. Along the way, Naomi urged her daughters-in-law to return to their Moabite families. Orpah did, however, Ruth refused to leave Naomi. An excerpt of Ruth's famous love declaration recorded in Ruth 1:16, NIV asserts, "...Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."

Their arrival in Bethlehem caused a stir. Dismissing the townspeople’s delight over her return, Naomi proclaimed in Ruth 1:20-21, NIV, “Don't call me Naomi...Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi?...” 

Importantly, Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

Reflections:

1. Difficult times come to all. How does the Bible prepare Believers for this?

2. Love never stops loving. Why am I apt to doubt God’s love for me in the midst of difficult times?

God's descriptions of His ways of loving:

Isaiah 41:10, NLT: "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

Isaiah 43:2, NLT: “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”

Jeremiah 31:3, NIV: “...I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness”.