2023.04.23 - The Slow Departure

Text: Ruth 1:1-7 Opening Statement: In the book of Ruth there are scenes that are tragic, domestic, romantic, dramatic, historic, and prophetic. Yet each scene is a mine filled with precious gems. The Book of Ruth is a beautiful picture of Christ’s great love for us, and the redemption He purchased for us. The opening scene of the book is tragic for we find three graves in Moab. Let’s notice the story behind these 3 graves. First, notice: I) THE DEPARTURE FROM THE LORD (vs.1-4) As we look at this departure from the Lord we see: A) Where They Were Leaving Their home was the town of Bethlehem in the country of Judah. The name “Bethlehem” means, “House of bread.” “Judah” means “praise.” This was the place we find Elimelech and his family leaving. They first left the city limits of Bethlehem and then left the borders of Judah. They first got out of the House of God and then out of the will of God. We also see: B) Where They Went to Live We read that they “went to sojourn in the country of Moab” (Vs.1). In Psalm 108:9, we find an interesting description of Moab. We read, “Moab is My washpot.” Elimelech’s journey to Moab is illustrative of a Christian leaving God and going back to the old life. We see that not only did they settle down in Moab, but their children took to themselves wives of the Moabites (Vs.4). Marriage among the pagan nations was strictly forbidden by God. The parents’ departure only led to a further departure in the children. We see a departure from the Lord, and we also see the results of leaving God. II) THE DISCIPLINE BY THE LORD Just as an earthly father will discipline a disobedient child, God will discipline His disobedient and straying children (Heb.12:6). The writer of Hebrews describes both a process and a procedure of God’s discipline. When we look at Elimelech and his family we see this process and procedure of discipline. A) The First Acts Of Discipline (V.2) It would appear that Elimelech and Naomi, had begun to drift from God in their hearts, before they ever left Beth