"Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land." (verse 1a)

These were not the best of times when judges ruled. This was before Israel had kings. Back when judges ruled everyone did what was right in his own eyes. You will find that stated in the Book of Judges repeatedly. I recently read Judges again. There are a few bright moments with Gideon and Deborah. There are some valuable lessons to be learned from Samson, but he wasn't a very wise judge, that's for sure. All and all, the Book of Judges chronicles a very dark season for the nation of Israel. There was no law and order. Everyone did right in his own eyes. The Proverbs tell us:

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes." (Proverbs 12:15)

"There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 14:12)

"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts." (Proverbs 21:2)

It is a dangerous thing when man is allowed to do right in his own eyes. That's where we are at today. The common thought is that there are no absolutes. Each of us gets to decide what is right. A society like that breeds chaos and confusion, dysfunction and disharmony. Israel learned the hard way. Before long they were crying out for a king.

"And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons." (verse 1b)

Out of that dark season when judges ruled, God did raise up some decent people. We meet a few here, a man, his wife and two sons. They are from Bethlehem, Judah. Judah was the territory given to the tribe of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Judah held a special place in God's divine program. It was prophesied that the Christ would come from this tribe, which He did. Prophecy got even more specific. It was also predicted that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem, which He was, in a manger. Bethlehem means "House of Bread" which is an appropriate place for the Bread of Life to be born. But back when judges ruled, bread was in short supply in Bethlehem and all of Judea. So this family headed to Moab.

Moab in our story is a picture of the world. Its origins go back to a shady cave. Now, you remember the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. God judged those cities because the people were so perverse. The only ones spared were Lot and his family. While they were escaping, Lot's wife looked back and it petrified her. Lot and his two daughters got out of Sodom alive and sought refuge in a cave. His daughters got him drunk and slept with him. Both ended up pregnant. The eldest daughter had a son who she named Moab. He became the father of the Moabites. They were a very wicked people but back when judges ruled, Israel wasn't much better. Plus, Moab had bread.

"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." (verse 2)

Here we are introduced to this family by name. Remember, in ancient Hebrew culture names were very significant. Parents didn't just call their kids something that had a nice ring to it. Names were descriptions like we might call someone Slim or Red or Shorty. Elimelech means 'God is my King.' Naomi means 'Pleasant.' Mahlon means 'sick.' How would you like to have a name like that? Chilion is Hebrew for 'piney' meaning this kid was also sick, he lacked vitality. So 'Mr. God is my king' and 'Mrs. Pleasant' had two sorry kids. Not only that, 'Mr. God is my king' also had health issues...

"Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons." (verse 3)

This is the last we see of Elimelech. Mrs. Pleasant is now a single mom. She's a strong woman, a survivor.

"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." (verse 4)

God commanded the Israelites not to marry pagans. So what we see happening is 'sick' and 'sicker' embracing the world. But this story is all about redemption. God will redeem man's mess. Like these two brothers, we also were sick and fell head over heels for the world. But by God's grace we were redeemed.

Let's look at the names of these Moabite women. Orpah means 'mane.' Perhaps she was given that name because she had beautiful hair. But Orpah is not the 'main' attraction in this story. Ruth is. Her name means 'friend' which suits her to a tee. We'll soon see what a faithful friend she was, especially to Naomi.

Naomi, her two sons and their wives dwelt in Moab for ten years. That was ten years too long. Moab was not a good place to be. God called Moab his washpot in Psalm 108. It was filled with scum. Naomi was smart to leave Moab. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to take her sons...

"Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband." (verse 5)

Naomi lost her two sick sons to the world. So she turns back to the House of Bread, Bethlehem. That's where life is found. The way of the world leads to death. But there is always hope in the House of Bread.

"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 that the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread. Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah." (verse 6-7)

Notice how it says that the Lord visited His people by giving them bread. Do you remember how Jesus taught His disciples to pray? "Give us this day our daily bread." That prayer serves to remind us that it is God who sustains us. He is the One who puts bread on our tables. This is why we should pray over our food before partaking of it. It is a blessing from above. We are so blessed here in the States, I think we've become spoiled. We don't credit God enough for the bounty of blessings we enjoy. We credit Mother Earth or pat ourselves on the back. The truth is, we would have nothing in the pantry or the fridge if it were not for our generous God.

God's people seemed to recognize that in our story. Word got out, "the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread." Once Naomi heard that the famine was over in Judah she got packing. She heads home with her two Moabite daughters-in-law. "And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law,

"Go, return each to her mother's house. The LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The LORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband." So she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept." (verse 8-9)

This is a wonderful illustration of how love operates. Love does not force its way on anyone, it simply extends an invitation. Naomi realizes that Bethlehem is her home but her daughters-in-law are Moabites. They must leave their world behind if they are to abide in the House of Bread. The same is true for us. We must choose between Moab and Bethlehem, the world and the "House of Bread." Because the Lord loves us He allows us to decide. His will is that we would follow Him but He does not force His will upon anyone. He wants us to make our choice based upon love.

I am mindful of the Rich Young Ruler who came running to Jesus. The account in Mark's gospel tells us, "Jesus looked at Him and loved Him." The young ruler was given a choice - follow Jesus or remain in Moab. He decided to part company with Jesus. We're told he went away very sad. He just didn't want to give up all he had.

Naomi's daughters-in-law had a sure thing in Moab. They had their mother's home they could return to. And the chances of finding a husband was much greater in Moab, as Jews and Moabites typically didn't mix. Plus Moab was familiar. For either of these girls to go to Bethlehem would require a step of faith. They would have to place their hope in what they could not see. That's how it is when we leave Moab for the House of Bread. It begins with a step of faith. We must believe in a God who visits His people even when we cannot see Him. We must believe He is the giver of the Bread of Life.

"And they said to her, "Surely we will return with you to your people." (verse 10)

Jesus had people tell Him the same thing. "Lord, I will follow you." But oftentimes there were conditions attached. Jesus, knowing their heart, would call them on it. He would tell them to count the cost. Notice what Naomi does...

"But Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn back, my daughters, go-for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me!" (verse 11-13)

Naomi is making it clear to her daughters-in-law that there may be some sacrificing along the way. She doesn't want them following with their personal agendas in tow. Jesus was also very upfront with potential followers. He was quick to change any false expectations. "Birds have nest, foxes have holes, the Son of Man has no place to rest His head." He wanted his disciples to count the cost. Jesus also told His followers that He must come before husband or wife, mother or father, sister or brother. Some said, "I'll follow but first let me take care of some other business. I have oxen to sell." Or, "after my father dies I'll be available." Jesus told them they weren't fit to follow. When we follow Jesus we must look to His lead and not look back. He must come first. We must kiss our world goodbye.

That's what Naomi is telling her daughter's-in-law. "The path I'm on isn't easy. If you want what Moab offers, I can't promise you that. The House of Bread is a whole different world. If you follow me, you'll have to kiss your world goodbye." Naomi has given her daughter's-in-law a choice. It all comes down to which they love more: their world or Naomi. That's how it is with us. Which do I love more, my world or Jesus? And because God loves us, He allows us to choose.

Now, Naomi is feeling forsaken by the Lord at this stage. She has nothing, no one to care after her, no inheritance to settle into, no sons to take her in. She is grieving the loss of those near and dear to her and feels quite alone. Naomi goes so far as to say, "the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!" Do you ever feel that way? We will see that this is not the case. This story has a happy ending. We will see how God works out all things for good. We will discover that there is hope in the House of Bread. The same is true for you, my friend. Whatever you are going through, no matter how difficult or desperate, God will see you through. There is always a happy ending for those who are His. He works all things out for good. But you must forsake Moab and abide in the House of Bread to know that. That's where God visits His people.  

To be continued...