My God and My People

March 21, 2010

Lesson: Ruth 1:1–18

Key Verse: Ruth 1:16

Introduction

It was the time of the Judges that Elimelech and his family traveled to Moab because of the famine in their land. The Judges (shophetim) were “men who procured justice or right for the people of Israel, not only by delivering them out of the power of their foes, but also by administering the laws and rights of the Lord (Judges 2:16–19). Judging in this sense was different from the administration of civil jurisprudence, and included the idea of government such as would be expected from a king… as a rule the judges of Israel were called directly by the Lord, and endowed with miraculous power for the conquest of the enemies of Israel” (Keil & Delitzsch, Comm.).

Ruth, a Moabite woman, finds honor both in being known in a book which bears her name, and in an ordained place in the covenant of God. In God’s redemptive plan, He chose Ruth to become an ancestress of David, of the royal house of Judah. Her words continue to echo the Christian’s response of faith, “for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:16). This verse is certainly a key verse both to our lesson and to our understanding of the covenant relationship our heavenly Father has established between us him, and between one another, in Christ Jesus. This relationship is seen as a household of God. Ruth entered, by the Spirit of God, into a relationship with the people of God which brought blessings to both her and Naomi. We experience this relationship of a family too: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). Having been born of the Spirit and having embraced, by grace through faith, Christ as our Savior, we are as adopted children in the household of God: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:19–20).

Migration to Moab: Ruth 1:1–5

Ruth  finds an honored place in the covenant of God, as he chose her to become an ancestress of David, of the royal house of Judah. A son, who was named Obed, would be born to Boaz and Ruth, assuring the continuation of Naomi’s house and family. Obed would become the grandfather of David through his son Jesse. Their city, Bethlehem, would be the birthplace of the King of kings (Matt.1:1, 2:6).

Ruth’s journey to Bethlehem begins with God’s providential work of a great famine in the land of Israel. Elimelech and Naomi traveled from Bethlehem to Moab with their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion; while in Moab Elimelech died. The two sons took for them “wives of the women of Moab.” The name of one was Orpah, and the other Ruth. Ruth became the wife of the eldest son, Mahlon (Ruth 4:10). They dwelt in Moab for about ten years. God, by his own counsel, brought famine upon a disobedient people. This same famine would be one of the means by which he would keep his covenant that he would be the God of his people, and his people would be his. The Lord spoke through Isaiah (Isaiah 55:10–11), saying, “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” So we look at our trials, both small and large, as truly being in the hands of our Lord, that we might know his providential care and eternal glory.

Bethlehem is located west of the Dead Sea and Moab is to the east. God, in his providential care for those whom he loves, directs Elimelech and his family to Moab during the time of famine. They find blessing in the midst of the pagan Moabites. What God records, in his Word, are not the chance meetings of events, but are acts in history, that his covenant would be kept by him and known by his people. The family of Elimelech was sent to Moab, for God had a chosen child through which David would be born; for Boaz and Ruth had Obed, and “Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David” (Ruth 4:22). Then through the line of David came Jesus.

Both Mahlon and Chilion died and Naomi was left alone with her two daughters-in-law.

Discussion: How is God’s covenant kept in this time of famine?

Naomi’s Advice: Ruth 1:6–13

After ten years, Naomi went to her daughters-in-law and told them that she would return to Bethlehem, for she had heard that the “Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.” Naomi began her journey with Orpah and Ruth: “They went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.”

It is during this journey that we begin to understand Naomi’s love for her Lord, the love which she passed on to her daughters-in-law. Naomi had been waiting for that day when the Lord would end the famine and give his people bread. Because of their love for Naomi, her daughters-in-law were willing to leave with her for Bethlehem. Naomi speaks to them, saying, “Go, return each to her mother’s house; the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.” Naomi then asks the Lord’s blessing on each one.

Naomi knows the burden that her daughters-in-law carried, how they showed their love for her sons and her. Her prayer for them was, “The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.” She then kissed them as Orpah and Ruth wept. They both questioned Naomi, saying, “Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.” Naomi answered, “why will ye go with me? Are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?” She could not offer Orpah and Ruth sons for husbands, and if they were to wait for her to bear sons, it would be a foolish wait.

Naomi felt the grief that she had received when her husband and sons died. Her grief is not selfish. It is for her daughters-in-law as well. It is a grief that rests upon her Lord. Naomi testifies, “For it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.” Here is a real test of faith. Naomi believes that what has taken place is a result of the hand of the Lord. If our sorrow is not in the hands of the Lord, then the victory and joy cannot be certain.

Our Lord is the Potter and we are the clay. All things work together for his glory, for his good pleasure and eternal purpose, and for our good. Each circumstance is moved toward the end which our Lord so desires. Therefore, we put our faith in the King of kings, the Lord Jesus our Savior, who carries us in his hand. We know, even when he brings sorrow into our lives, that he is able to deliver us and give us rest.

Discussion: How would you describe the love of Naomi for her Lord and daughters-in-law?

Ruth Embraces Faith: Ruth 1:14–18

Orpah kissed Naomi and returned to her people. But it was Ruth who cleaved to Naomi. Naomi told Ruth to look to her sister-in-law who is returning to her people, “and to her god: return thou after thy sister-in-law.” The Lord sets up the opportunity for Ruth to either follow after the gods of her people or the God of Naomi. Ruth, having learned of the Lord God of Israel from Naomi during those ten years, responded, “Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” Ruth was drawn to the true God whose presence was testified in the life of Naomi. God would provide for Ruth a husband faithful to him that would find fulfillment in the coming of Christ Jesus.

A great love had reached into the heart of Ruth that would commit all to the God and people of Naomi. Ruth goes on to say, “Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.” This is the love of which the beloved apostle spoke: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God… Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:7–11). Naomi saw that Ruth was steadfast in her determination to go with her to Bethlehem (Ruth 1:18).

Discussion: How should our faith in Christ be shown to others?

Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.