Canvas 1
(Ruth 1: 1-5)
Introduction
Ruth is a gem of a book; it radiates the 'Colours of the Trinity' from beginning to end.
1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
Ruth is a book with rags to riches account of love, tenderness and a little daring it is set in times of calamity and despair in Israel. It is about ordinary people facing many difficulties on many levels in their lives. Ruth is a book about true friendships. A tale of two women. The rich devotion that Ruth shows to Naomi and the gentle care that Naomi exercises towards Ruth run through the book. It is about love and concern within the family and worked out among the golden waving fields of corn, wheat and barley. The weather is fine and dry; the sun shines, and highlights the three central characters with a passage of light, so loved by painters, artists and people in general. But most of all it is a book highlighting a loving, caring Lord. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - the God of Israel.
Ruth speaks of ordinary people to whom we can relate and understand, also in a quite powerful way as to show that God is active and alive in the affairs men. That reality of truth is sketched on the surface of the canvas for us and clearly seen as He works out His purpose and blesses those people who put their personal faith and trust in Him.
Come with me to the fields of faith, let us enjoy and delight in the 'Colours of the Trinity' at harvest time. We will find real people in a real world of famine, friendship, faith and fullness' with a family tree, which overshadows the entire scene with great significance for us.
(1) DARK DAYS IN THE LAND (1:1)
Israel under the Judges was in a perilous condition. It was a difficult period for the nation. Troublesome times for the people. The judges are the leaders mentioned in the book of Judges. Not to function on a legal level only but people raised up by God to lead the nation in time of trouble.
At this time there was a famine in the land. The land is not clearly defined, but in Hebrew only one country was the land. This was the land God had given to His people, the land of Canaan. Palestine (now Israel) the land has a rather uncertain rainfall; at times drought and consequently famine are not uncommon. I am often told the Old Testament is rather dry. Well it is dry in (Genesis 12:10; 26:1; 41:56; 2 Samuel 21:1; 1 Kings 18:2; 2 Kings 6:25). But only because of drought and famine certainly not because of content or of truth.
(2) DECISION TO MOVE ON (1:1-2)
A certain man was convinced the grass would be greener on the other side. He had had enough of choking on dust. The fields of Moab beckoned and he made the decision to move on. It was and still is a risk to leave the place of promise however difficult the situation may be there to move on to new pastures with grass growing three foot high. There are believers who are continually on the move from one place to another place because it is easier to move than to stay put and work and pray and change things by their faith and trust in God. Bigger, better and more isn't always the answer in our Christian lives. Could it be wiser to spend more time on our knees where we are, and less time walking away on our feet to 'marvelous Moab'?
(3) DISASTER IN MOAB (1:3-5)
We have the interesting names of the migrating family. Elimelech ('God is King'). Naomi ('pleasant', 'lovely', 'delightful'). Mahlon ('weak',' sick'). Chilion ('failing', 'pining' or even 'annihilation'). All good old Canaanite names with profound spiritual convictions. So life continued with the good times, however good times are always shared with difficult times. Sickness and bereavement struck the family as they do every family on earth whatever the geographical location.
(4) DOWN THE YEARS (1:4)
Ten years was to include the highs and the lows associated with family life. Bereavement and
loss, followed by the marriage of sons. Family extensions.
(5) DEATH AND DESPAIR (1:3-5)
Elimelech is called home. Naomi greaves. Both sons are then married to Moabitesses, Orpah and Ruth. Sadly Mahlon then Chilion died. It is unusual for three males in the household be taken in this way. The coffin robbed Naomi of her husband and her two children. She was completely alone. Moab had become a place of misery to her. Naomi faced the uncertain future.