Naomi Returns Home Ruth 1:6 - Equipped for Battle

Naomi has been through tragedy after tragedy. She left her home country with her husband Elimelech and her two boys Mahlon and Chileon and traveled to the land of Moab. While she lived in Moab her husband died, and even though her sons found wives and she lived in the land for ten years, both of her sons died also. Now she was alone other than having two daughters-in-law, and her circumstances have found her in a precarious position. What was Naomi to do? We will discover what she did in today's verse found in Ruth chapter one and verse six:

Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.

Just at the point of despair, Naomi discovers the next step in her life. “She arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab:” It was time to go home, and even though Naomi had lived in Moab, she needed to return to the place of her heritage. Sometimes when troubles occur one of the best moves we can make is to return to our roots, to the basics, and to the foundation of what makes us who we are. Naomi took a very natural step, and decided to go back to Bethlehemjudah.

There was a reason for Naomi's decision, “for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.” There was news from home. Bread was available, and though there once was a famine, food was now within Naomi's pursuit. Not only was bread available, but “the LORD had visited his people”. Although there was a famine, God intervened, and He did so naturally by simply providing bread. Remember earlier in this chapter we made reference to the fact that God was presiding over the circumstances in which Naomi found herself. In the background, and not seemingly visible, God was working. God was developing a plan, and although Naomi had no idea what God was doing, God did.

The news of the relief of famine spread to Moab, and Naomi heard about it. Without reservation she arose with what was left of her family, her two daughters-in-law, and decided to return home. Tragedy had taken it's toll on Naomi, and she only desired to return to the place that was the most familiar to her.

Although there is much more to this story, we shall end our discussion here today. If you'd like to know more, read ahead, and we shall join together next time.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

More Tragedy and Naomi's Plight Ruth 1:5 - Equipped for Battle

Thus far in our story in the book of Ruth, Naomi has faced some very trying times. She has experienced a famine which forced her to move to a foreign land with her husband Elimelech and her two sons. Once there, Elimelech died, and now as a widow Naomi had to learn to live in this new land, Moab, with her two sons Mahlon and Chilion or Sickly and Pining. They married, and she continued with them for ten years, and then our story continues in chapter one and verse five:

And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

What? Did we just read what we read? “And Mahlon and Chileon died also both of them”? After so many tragedies now Naomi's two sons died also? We do not know how or why her sons died because the Bible is silent as to why, and when the Bible is silent it is best for us to be silent. However, Naomi was faced with the death of her husband, her two sons, and she is basically in a foreign country alone except for her two foreign daughter-in-laws.

The next words in this verse are ominous, “and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.” Why does it seem that sometimes tragedy piles upon tragedy? We might think, wasn't the absence of Naomi's husband enough? Didn't she go through enough difficulty having to move her family to a foreign land so they wouldn't starve? Why would God allow such horrific circumstances such as famine, losing her husband, and now her only two sons have died as well? Sometimes we only have to look a little while and the problems we have are small compared to others, but these are valid questions and they are worthy of asking.

The key to wrapping our minds around so much tragedy occurring in one person's life is to remember that we do not know all the story yet. We only have a limited amount of information and cannot see the future. Our view is mostly what is in front of us, and our Heavenly Father has the advantage of seeing the whole story in one glance. If the story ended here, it is tragic beyond belief, but God has a whole different ending in mind. This is where faith comes in. This is where a person becomes either a believer in God or an unbeliever in Him. It is pretty simple to believe in God when everything occurs according to our plans, however, the true believer is exposed when he or she has tragedy and sometimes tragedy upon tragedy enter their lives. Our dear woman Naomi has an opportunity to place her trust not in herself or her circumstances, but in a truly loving God even when things go wrong.

We'll have to discover what Naomi did as our story progresses, but for now, we shall continue our story next time. So, if you'd like to know in advance, read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Wives, Orpah, Ruth and Ten Years Ruth 1:4 - Equipped for Battle

We left our story in Ruth yesterday with a very somber moment in the lives of Naomi and her two sons. Her husband and the two sons father Elimelech died, and now she was located in Moab which was a strange land to her. She had fled a famine which took place in her home country, and now she was facing widowhood and being a mother alone. However, the story only begins with this part of the tragedy. We learn more today as we continue the story in chapter one and verse four:

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.

The two sons, Mahlon and Chilion or “sickly and pining”, “took them wives of the women of Moab.” Elimelech or “My God is King” was gone from this tiny family, and we see through the author's words that life continued after he passed. Naomi's two boys were able to find wives in this new country, and although sadness had entered into her life for a while, perhaps seeing her sons married was a pleasure for Naomi.

We are told, “the name of the one was Orpah” which means “gazelle”, and “the name of the other was Ruth” which means “friendship”. Let's stop and think about this for a moment. Here are “Sickly and Pining” who married Moabite women named “Gazelle and Friendship”. It's quite the story when you ponder it for a while, and let's not forget that “Naomi” or “Pleasantness” was the Matron within this family. It seems at least for this moment that some sense of order and normalcy has returned to Naomi's life even after her tragic loss.

We are told, “and they dwelled there about ten years.” We now have a time frame for this portion of the story. For ten years Naomi, her sons and her two new daughter in laws lived in the country of Moab. Although Hebrew children were supposed to marry other Hebrews, these two sons found women who were available where they were. Rather than follow the normal path, Mahlon and Chilion adapted to the environment they were in at the time.

For a few years it seems that Naomi will be okay, however, there is more to this wonderful story, and as we discover more of the scene, we will soon realize how Jesus Christ is part of this story as well. We will have to keep studying, and we shall take up more next time, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Elimelech Naomi's Husband Died Ruth 1:3 - Equipped for Battle

Why do people have to die? Shouldn't there be some way to prevent it from occurring? What about our own death? Are their ways that we may live that prolong it, advance it or inhibit it? And what about the survivors? What are they supposed to do when someone very close to them dies? Well, we may not answer any or all of those questions today in our study of the book of Ruth but immediately after discovering who the main characters of the first two verses are, one of them dies. We read in Ruth chapter one and verse three:

And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

So often when we read the Bible we do so with speed and without much consideration. However, let's slow down for a moment today and consider, “And Elimelech Naomi's husband died.” We know this much, Elimelech's name means “God is My King”, and we know that he moved his family to Moab when the famine began in Bethlehemjudah. Now, while the family is in a strange country and away from their people back home, Elimelech died. What was that like for Naomi? Here was the loss of her closest adult, and now in the midst of the trial of famine, she had no husband to lean on. It's as if one difficulty is piling upon another, and Naomi is left to manage this with only two sons.

Notice too that the verse continues, “and she was left, and her two sons.” Compiled upon the death of her husband, Naomi now faces being left in this strange place with her two sons. The home is different after a person like dad dies. Elimelech's ability to make a decision to move when the famine occurred will no longer be with them. Elimelech's position as leader will be felt, and now the decisions for living will be left to Naomi and her two sons. The impact was certainly felt, and the words, “and she was left” are as ominous as they may be for describing her devastation.

Although the Bible is very clear that “it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment” it doesn't make death any easier. As long as we live there will be death, and until the day it is finally our turn we will watch as those we know and do not know exit the stage of life. Sometimes these people will be as close to us as a spouse, father or mother, and sometimes it may even be a child. We will feel “left” as was Naomi and her two sons, and perhaps that is part of the reason this blog is necessary. We see through the Bible's words that God is impartial when it comes to death. Everyone who lives, dies, and even if there are others who are “left” who are very close to them, passing still comes.

The question becomes, “what then?” What happens to people after they die not only for those who are the deceased, but also for the survivors? As we continue our story perhaps we will find some answers, and in our answers find that there is a loving God and His Son Jesus who preside over the whole affair, so read ahead for more of the story, and we shall join together at another time.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

My God is King, Pleasantness, Sickly and Pining Ruth 1:1,2 - Equipped for Battle

We began our study in the book of Ruth yesterday by observing the time in which this story takes place, “when the judges ruled” and the conditions during the beginning of the story “there was a famine in the land.” Although there were many families affected by this famine, our attention is drawn to one, and the response of this man, his wife and two sons was to move to the country of Moab Today we shall continue the story by examining more closely who these people were, and discover there is something interesting concerning their names. We read in chapter one and verses one and two:

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. 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.

The author of this book names this family beginning with the man, “Elimelech” which means, “My God is King”. Names often have meanings, and especially when we look at Bible characters there is usually meaning in their names. This man, Elimelech, was one who was deemed an Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah. Bethlehem was located in the providence known as Ephratah and like a “Floridian” if you live in Florida, this man and his family were known as Ephrathites. As we proceed through this story we might wonder if Elimelech lived up to his name. Was God really his King might be our question.

Elimelech's wife was named, “Naomi” which means “pleasantness” or “my delight”. She appears to have willingly moved to Moab with her husband during this famine, and as a faithful wife and mother she followed what was deemed best for her family at the time.

Next we consider Elimelech and Naomi's two sons, “Mahlon” and “Chilion”. “Mahlon” means “sickly” and perhaps he was a sickly child when he was born, and “Chilion” means “pining” which doesn't sound like he was much more healthy. Nonetheless, Elimelech and Naomi took their two boys to a new land to avoid the famine that was devastating the land they were living in. The writer says, “they came into the country of Moab, and continued there” so they took up their existence and livelihood in a strange land and in a strange country.

Let's think about this for a moment. Here are “My God is King”, “Pleasantness” and their two boys “Sickly” and “Pining” traveling to and lodging within a new country. Their idea was to avoid the famine, and as we consider this family it is important to remember that God was watching them during their resolve to move.

The Bible says, “in the volume of the book it is written of me” in reference to Jesus Christ, and if we are looking closely enough, somewhere within this story we will find a type and reference to Jesus. However, we shall have wait until next time to take up more of the story, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Ruth. A Story of Tragedy, Hope and a Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 1:1 - Equipped for Battle

Why does tragedy occur in the world? If God is a God of love, why does He allow some things to happen to some people and not to others? Why does it seem that the innocent are often afflicted and those who are wicked seem to go free? These and many other questions are ones that we all have asked at one time or another in our lives. Today we begin a new book in our studies together that perhaps will bring some answers to these questions. We are looking at the book of Ruth. Ruth is a book written in the days when the judges ruled in Israel. We find the book of Ruth in the Old Testament, and while reading it we will discover tragedy, hope and what is known as a Kinsman Redeemer. Let's begin in chapter one and verse one:

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.

The beginning phrase of this book is one that is important to remember as we study the scriptures and consider our own lives, “Now it came to pass.” The idea is that it happened, occurred or came and went. The events in our lives are like a conveyor belt before us. They come, and they go. They come, and they go, and like a parade before our eyes events and people enter and exit over periods of time. Sometimes those periods are short, and sometimes they last a while. Some of these we know how long they will last, and others we have no idea. But God does, and the overriding theme of this book is that God has a plan even when it does not appear that He does. So, when it comes to pass in our lives, we have the privilege to know that God oversees all the events of our lives in one glance, and He is working in places and people with whom we have not even known as yet.

The writer of Ruth continues, “Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land.” During the days of the judges, the people of Israel would vacillate back and forth in their worship and allegiance to God. The cycle was vicious as the people would do “what was right in their own eyes”, and then be judged for their behavior. They would cry out to God, and He would send a judge by whom their behavior and attitudes would be corrected until that judge died, and then they would fall away from God again doing “what was right in their own eyes” and the cycle would repeat again. During one of these times we have the story of Ruth, and our setting is not only during one of these times of the judges, but also when there was a famine in the land. Whether a person is serving God or not, tragedy is subject to strike. Notice that the famine spoken of was “in the land” and not just over those who were wicked. Everyone in the area suffered from this famine.

The writer continues, “And a man of Bethlememjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.” So when this famine occurred throughout the land, we focus upon the effects that it had on one particular family. It's as if we have zoomed in to take a closer look upon the ramifications upon a small set of people among the masses. Notice too that this family includes a man, “his wife and his two sons.” Often the effects of horrible events are spread throughout a family, and those who encounter them have a shared disposal rather than one person alone.

We will stop here for today in our study and continue our sharing with this idea in mind, How do we handle tragedy when it occurs in our lives, and does it affect others we love when it does? Next time we will continue to look at the first two verses of this wonderful book, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Salute, Greet and Grace Titus 3:15 - Equipped for Battle

We have come to the final words from Paul the apostle to Titus who is the pastor of the church located in Crete. Often the final words are some of the most important when a letter is written, and although there are many valuable words within this three chapter book we have the privilege of studying these final ones from Paul. He wrote in chapter three and verse fifteen:

All that are with me salute you. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace [be] with you all. Amen.

Over and over again we have discovered Paul's care for Titus and the church he pastored, and now he shares the first of three caring phrases with Titus. The first is, "All that are with me salute you." We learn from this phrase that there was at least a few people who joined Paul when he wrote these words. Most of the time Paul dictated his letters and perhaps there were a few people involved in his sharing. Nonetheless those who were with Paul desired that they be noted as concerned for Titus as well.

Next Paul sends his greeting to those who were with Titus. He wrote, "Greet them that love us in the faith." Paul desired that people who were with Titus know that he was concerned for them as well. In each of these two instances there were those who were gathered with each man as they ministered the gospel. It seems that the most effective ministers are those with whom God has blessed with a team of people to share in the Kingdom work.

Finally Paul writes, "Grace be with you all. Amen." The unmerited favor of God is employed as a final benediction to Titus and all who were with him. In all the ministry activities that may be done it is important to remember the wonderful blessing of the grace of God. It is by God's grace we are saved. It is by God's grace we even know the Lord, and it is certainly by God's grace that we are able to minister for Him in our churches.

"Amen" means, "so be it", and thus we read the final word of Paul's short but dynamic letter to Titus. May we all consider the wonderful words of Paul and allow the Lord Jesus to reign in our lives in such a manner as this. Amen!

Next time we will begin a new book from the Old Testament named "Ruth", so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore