RUTH 1:1 NIV
“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.”
The Book of Ruth opens with its dating – the period when the Judges ruled.
There was no king at the time and everyone did as he or she saw fit.
As a consequence of their rebellion, there was famine in the land.
Mr Elimelek and his family made a decision to move to Moab.
Was this a right decision?
The Moabites were the result of the incestuous union between Lot and his daughters (Gen. 19:29-38). They appeared to be a bad bunch who always opposed Israel.
On one occasion they refused the Israelites bread and water, and hired Balaam to curse them.
Because of this, God forbade the Moabites to come into the presence of the Lord, and told the Israelites not to seek their peace or their prosperity (Deut. 23:3-7).
Elimelek’s decision to move his family into Moab may have appeared to be a good decision economically, but a bad decision spiritually.
It should be the constant practice of the people of God (Christians) to decide everything on the basis of God’s will as displayed in His Word.
While in Moab, Elimelek died (verse 3) and his two sons, Mahlon and Kilion also died (verse 5).
Although I cannot state categorically state that these died because they moved to Moab, I can confidently say that we live dangerously when we allow expediency, and not the clear guidelines of Scripture, to determine our actions and our directions.
May we not be found wanting whenever we come to a decision making point.
Have a fruitful day.
Shalom
