Ruth 1:2-5 Desperate Situation

 ”The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.“ ‭‭

Ruth‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died: When Elimelech and his family came to Moab, they did not find life easier. Elimelech soon died, and his wife Naomi was left to care for their two boys, Mahlon and Chilion.

i. It is hard to say that this was the direct hand of God’s judgment against them. It is sometimes difficult to discern why tragic things happen. What is certain is that the change of scenery didn’t make things better.

ii. We sometimes think we can move away from our problems, but find we just bring them with us. No matter where you go, you bring yourself with you - so the same problems can continue in a different place.

b. Now they took wives of the women of Moab: Mahlon and Chilion grew, and took wives among the Moabite women, named Orpah and Ruth. Again, this was not in obedience to God; God commanded the Israelites to not marry among the pagan nations surrounding them.

c. Both Mahlon and Chilion died: As time went on (about ten years) Naomi’s sons died. So now there were three childless widows - Naomi and her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth.

i. To be a childless widow was to be among the lowest, most disadvantaged classes in the ancient world. There was no one to support you, and you had to live on the generosity of strangers. Naomi had no family in Moab, and no one else to help her. It was a desperate situation. (Guzik)

Desperate Situation 

Life is hard especially when the economy is bad and inflation is high. Our church does a food truck once a month when they purchase a semi trailer of food, unload, box and hand out to the community in their vehicles. The lines of vehicles are getting longer as they wind through our parking lot and out to the highway! We’ve had very little snow this year with abnormally high temperatures due to an El Niño weather pattern so businesses are complaining due to loss of income from winter sports and tourists. But I look at it as a Godsend to the poor who are in a desperate situation as they will have lower heating bills.

If you are in a desperate situation, get on your knees and lift it up to the Lord.

”“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.“ ‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

”Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.“ ‭‭

I John‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Do you have confidence in Him?

Blessings