Naomi, so to speak, put all of her eggs into one basket marriage and bearing children. But Ruth refuses to abandon Naomi and clings to her tightly. Be careful not to jump to conclusions. Elimelech was one of the great men and authorities in Israel. Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah Bethlehem was otherwise called Ephratha. Elimelech had a wife named Naomi and two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. Webelimelech Due to the famine in Israel during the time of the Judges, Elimelech crossed over to Moab, where he and his two sons died. Copyright Torah.org Project Genesis. Elamtu), region on the edge of the southwestern part of the Iranian plateau, modern Khuzistan, Sidon Cholim Prayers for Those in Need, Make a Donation She does not acknowledge sin on her part (and Elimelechs), and she does not seek to repent. No details, however, are given, as, on the one hand, no blame is attached to the conduct 4 The LORD said to Moses, Arrest all the leaders of the people, and hang them up before the LORD in broad daylight, so that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. 5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, Each of you must execute those of his men who were joined to Baal-peor (Numbers 25:1-5). 17 See Ruth 4:17, 21-22. Ruth 4:9 Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). Who even remembers her name? Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. How could Naomi point them in the wrong direction? Follow your sister-in-law back home! 16 But Ruth replied. Her commitment is not just to Naomi; it is a lifetime commitment to Israel and to her God. Then she firmly stated her commitment to Naomi, to Israel, and to Israels God as a covenant. Due to the famine in Israel during the time of the Judges, Elimelech crossed over to Moab, where he and his two sons died. Yet, they throw a shadow over the entire story. A Christian wife is having difficulties in her relationship with her husband, and she shares this with a Christian friend. Elimelech died, whereupon Mahlon and Chilion both married local women. In such a declared emergency, she reasoned, they must take extraordinary measures. endobj Without a doubt, this is the most amazing and distressing thing Naomi has said so far. Who would carry on his line? And when both her sons died without bearing children, her situation seemed impossible. Such are the products of our pleasant things, weak and infirm, fading and dying. She had to leave her family, her homeland, and her gods and go to the place of Gods blessing. For the Lord is afflicting me!. Many are the times when friends counsel others to act in their own best interests, and all too seldom do they point their friends to the difficult principles and commands of Scripture. Following their deaths, his wife Naomi returned to Beth-Lehem together with her daughter-in-law *Ruth (Ruth 1:13; 2:1, 3; 4:3, 9). The Bible did not say how this happened, but the household was now comprised of three widows. Major Gift. He deals out Justice, rejecting the bad and rewarding the good. (4) While the author does not make a point of it, it seems reasonable to assume that the famine (as well as the deaths of Elimelech and his two sons) was a manifestation of divine discipline. Orpah seems to have no great spiritual interest in Israel or in the God of Israel. iddunnu) comes from the root , Hadad This is exactly what Boaz commended Ruth for doing: 10 Ruth knelt before him with her forehead to the ground and said to him, Why are you so kind and so attentive to me, even though I am a foreigner? 11 Boaz replied to her, I have been given a full report of all that you have done for your mother-in-law following the death of your husband how you left your father and your mother, as well as your homeland, and came to live among people you did not know previously. That person is a true Jew at heart. 12 Go back home, my daughters! Machlon and Chillon died also both of them. It must have been on Naomis watch that these two sons married their Moabite wives Orpah and Ruth. For the children of the desolate one are more numerous. Rabbi Shimon Ben Gamliel said: The ancestors who used the power of Divine Inspiration drew names out of (future) events; we who do not have access to Divine Inspiration, draw names from our forefathers (Genesis Rabbah 37,7)., What does the name Elimelech mean? Im an Assyrian not a Syrian. 37 The older daughter gave birth to a son and named him Moab. than the children of the married woman, says the Lord. 25 Translations differ here, but I think that this daughters choice of words is very important to consider. The contrast between Naomi and Ruth is very clear when the two womens words and actions are viewed from the vantage point of the Abrahamic Covenant. WebChoices bring consequences, and Elimelech's wrong choices brought death. Naomis second effort13 will be less subtle and more pointed and forceful. She views God as harsh and uncaring, doling out affliction and trouble in a way that is completely unrelated to her attitudes and actions. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them (Hebrews 11:13-16). Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. It is not only Ruth and Naomi who benefit from Gods work in the Book of Ruth, for everyone who has been saved by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ has been saved by the offspring of Ruth and Boaz. And so they did. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live as a resident foreigner in the region of Moab, along with The only hope Naomi sees for Orpah and Ruth is the hope of finding a Moabite husband and bearing children. The family lived in Bethlehem, a small city near Jerusalem. Hebrews 12:6,10,11 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth, Elimelech -- 'God is king', the husband of Naomi, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular, Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular, Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there, Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also, dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her, Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies her, The two come to Bethlehem, where they are gladly received, OT History: Ruth 1:3 Elimelech Naomi's husband died (Ru Rut. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. She would go where Naomi went and live where she lived. 35 Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? He was one of the c, JETHRO Elimelech died and left Naomi in the care of their two sons, who eventually married Moabitish women. Naomi"fair or pleasant"; and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, are supposed to be the same as Joash and Saraph (1Ch 4:22). He was a leader who possessed the requisite qualities, except for that of deep love and concern for his flock and of disregard of his own worthiness and rights. The contrast between Ruth and Naomi. Born. The best thing for her to do was to return to Bethlehem and live out the rest of her days, dying empty (i.e., childless). How did Elimelechs sons die in the Bible? As they entered Bethlehem, they became the talk of the town. Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. They were both Moabite women, close to the same age. . And all of this resulted in the near annihilation of one of the twelve tribes (Benjamin) and a conspiracy to acquire wives for the remaining Benjamites in a way that was morally unacceptable. There is no reason for you to return to Judah with me! ELIMELECH (Heb. The text does not really tell us but the Sages do, and so, we will engage in reverse engineering, trying to grasp their view of this complex personality and then to appreciate the antecedents of their interpretation. How wrong Naomi was. While in Moab, Elimelech died, leaving his wife with their two sons (verse 3). The sons married Moabite women, which was something else God wanted His people to avoid. However, God ended up blessing Elimelechs family anyway, although not through his sons. God instead chose to work through Naomi and one of her Moabite daughters-in-law, Ruth. Apparently soon after the settlement of the family. Retrieved February 22, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/elimelech. But here is where the similarity ends. The crises of life are Gods pop quizzes, times when He puts our faith to the test, times when He gives us an opportunity to put our faith on display. What is A person who sells flower is called? The word redeem means to set free by paying a price. In the case of Ruth and Naomi, Elimelechs property had Ruth has an uncanny grasp of Israels religion and has chosen to embrace it as her own. But when there was a famine in the land, they moved to the neighboring country of Moab. (One was named Orpah and the other Ruth.) The word redeem means to set free by paying a price. In the case of Ruth and Naomi, Elimelechs property had either been sold or was under some kind of mortgage, and the rights to the land had passed to Ruths husband, Mahlon, when Elimelech died. 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Neither does she mention the mistreatment they would likely receive because Moab is Israels enemy, but they could probably read between the lines. A few years later, king Saul will offer the sacrifices, even though he was instructed to wait for Samuel, all because Saul felt this was a crisis that justified setting aside obedience in faith to Gods Word.27. (Now they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.) For I am too old to get married again. There were no men nearby to marry, she reasoned, so there was no conventional way25 for them to bear children and thus to preserve their fathers line. Had you done so, you would have been able to even withstand Gods anger (Petichta Ruth Rabbah 5). Both had married Israelite husbands, had borne no children, and were now widows. 14 For whenever the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things required by the law, these who do not have the law are a law to themselves. It provides us with a look at the life of the common person in Israel 10 From what we learn from the Book of Ruth, one does wonder what role Naomi played in this decision. WebBecause of a severe famine in Judea, he emigrated to the land of Moab with his wife and his sons, Mahlon and Chilion. To do it any other way was to disobey God. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, Ruth: A Story of Redemption -- A Study of the Book of Ruth. One has to ponder the outcome of her decision. You, leaders, did not stand at the opening like Moses. Second, Naomis words are even more forceful here,14 issuing Ruth a command to leave her. The As I was studying our text for this message, it occurred to me that the text which describes the origin of the Moabites in Genesis 19 is a key to understanding the story of Ruth, and especially Naomis role in this account. It is no wonder that Naomi speaks to her daughters-in-law about husbands, marriage, and children, because this is what is on her mind. There Ruth married *Boaz, one of Elimelech's relatives. Now it is true that Machlon, Kilyon, and Elimelech pass quickly from the scene and Orpah follows them soon thereafter. She was not a Jew, and she had not been raised by parents who taught her the law. She had given up all hope. I would be very reluctant to conclude that Ruths husband or his parents taught her the law. They produced offspring for the Benjamites by orchestrating the kidnapping and rape of 200 virgins.26 The Israelites were like Moabs mother in that they were thinking and acting like Moabites. The best thing for Orpah and Ruth to do was to return to their people and their gods, Naomi concluded. WebPrevious commentary: Next commentary: About this commentary: are made available by the generosity of . Both were traveling with Naomi as she made her way toward Israel. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Now I should stop to say that I firmly believe in the sovereignty of God, that God is in absolute control of everything that takes place on this earth. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live as a resident foreigner in the region of Moab, along with his wife and two sons. Someone reminded me that the Book of Ruth is a lot like the Book of Esther. xkOF;GBYH6=3fn=3_]o{09j?]YNvflo'N_~iv4:8N.N";>5"!2M*bNH$!E/EA@e|h9!MSrj:3Y^&!:Xqw-8O?n#-"XY+;-ZN$ayCp}k _F+w +g du]yB2 (0#`2BYfeu(pV,!g\A:>ffY)Yr,gl}*>3|5g-a>F#oE|v0m7G;o}\B,=y"Z|GMogbAD[ J6tW8!jm4GIt\ul4yg2b>x|YH&-B(k7zk4%>5z$@Q8nK+ja4aAqTND&QqM @%(g]v/mnn-vTY2^JrxVNgl/'u:K-cdw>-xs_X0$%.$f#X2l| @n:c 0/#S=>k"ey4=^Gy^tb^ e Jethro had seven daughters who served as his shepherdesses. It led to a hopeless fatalism: It doesnt really matter what I say or do; God is against me, and there is nothing I can do about it.. 15 So Naomi said, Look, your sister-in-law is returning to her people and to her god. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. This was a violation of the Mosaic law (De 7:3; 23:3; Ezr 9:2; Ne 13:23); and Jewish writers say that the early deaths of both the young men were divine judgments inflicted on them for those unlawful connections. We should notice that it was not until after Elimelechs death that they married. God is always at his work. What a mighty, magnificent, merciful, awesome God we serve! In spite of the fact that Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and his two sons (Mahlon and Kilion) are living according to the spirit of their day (doing what is right in their own eyes), two people (Ruth and Boaz) stand out as examples of those who live by faith in the God of Israel, and whose lives exemplify living in accordance with Gods Word. We should learn from Naomi that if barrenness is ones earthly fate, our heavenly fate is vastly different. See also: More about the Book of Ruth. 17 Wherever you die, I will die and there I will be buried. In her mind, this was the normal, the customary, way to produce offspring. The barley harvest will play a significant role in moving this story forward in the next two chapters. Can one dismiss the sincerity of a man of faith who fails to always live up to his convictions? Following their deaths, his wife Naomi returned In addition, anyone who wants to share the Bible with others can print unlimited copies and give them away free to others. Even if I thought that there was hope that I could get married tonight and conceive sons, 13 surely you would not want to wait until they were old enough to marry! No wonder God forbade Moabites from entering the assembly to the tenth generation.7. Naomi saw singleness (widowhood for her) and childlessness as a curse, while Paul taught that singleness could facilitate ministry to others and to God (1 Corinthians 7:32-35). It would seem to be significant that Naomi told Ruth that Orpah had returned to her god. ." His faithfulness to His people and to His covenant is at a time when His people are not faithful to Him and when they are living in disregard for His law. The ancestors, since they knew their genealogies, would derive names from events. This story can be found in the book of Ruth. I am now inclined to believe that Ruth is an example of Romans 2:12-16. WebElimelech and his sons all died in Moab, leaving Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah widowed. He lived during the period of the Judges, had a hereditary possession near Bethlehem, and is chiefly known as the husband of Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ru and ancestress of David the king. She would be buried where Naomi was buried. In addition, why would a private individual carry a name that signifies royalty. It is not for us to say how far those are right who see in the death of Elimelech and his sons Gods punishment for the disregard of His As they continue their journey toward Bethlehem, Naomi makes a three-fold attempt to persuade Orpah and Ruth to return to their homes, rather than to accompany her all the way back to Israel. 14 In her first attempt, Naomi issues a parting blessing, punctuated by a farewell kiss (verse 9). Naomis hope was in the physical rather than in the spiritual, in the present rather than in eternity. WebThen Naomi's husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons, Ruth 1:5 both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and without her husband. So he lived in a cave with his two daughters. Eventually, Naomi steered Ruth into a relationship with a distant relative named Boaz. Surely you would not remain unmarried all that time! The Sages, however, read it with a slight difference in pronunciation as Elai Melech For he said: Kingship is due to me (Ruth Rabba 2,5). Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. 14 Again they wept loudly. There is really no evidence of faith (on Naomis part), either. But when she urged Ruth to return to her pagan god(s), that was the worst unkindness of all. As we explained in the introduction, the restoration of Elimelechs seed by Boaz through Levirite marriage to Ruth, constitutes the first redemptive cycle of the book; in this lies the importance of early introduction of Ruths former husband, brother-in-law and their father. 4 0 obj Such early setting out of the players is quite unusual in Biblical writing. The suffering of His people, whether for sins they have committed or for living righteously, is but the prelude to His glorious salvation. We read of the origin of the Moabites in Genesis 19,3 just after the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. But it is not the essence of what our life in Christ is about. (1) There is no clear link to a particular time, to a particular judge, or to a particular event recorded in the Book of Judges. WebElimelech died, leaving Naomi with only her two sons. Naomi returned to her homeland accompanied by her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth. He stood and surrounded it with rebuilt walls from three directions. ." The name of Achimelech, the priest who gave aid to David at Nob, reflects his elevated stature (Leviticus Rabbah 1,3) and Malchizedek was the King of Salem (Malkiel in Numbers 25, 24 deserves a separate discussion). The inference is clear: to remain with Naomi has no promise of blessing and every reason to expect that they will share in her divinely-imposed affliction. We should first note that Naomis words here are prompted by Orpahs decision to return home. While they were in Moab, Elimelech died, leaving Naomi and her two sons. After only ten years in Moab, Elimelechs sons also died. There is a paucity of clues but the first one is the Elimelechs name itself. God loves to show mercy and compassion. I will be their God and they will be my people (Jeremiah 31:33). Dedicate an Article It must be, the Sages reasoned, that Elimelech misread his destiny. Apparently Elimelech abandoned his people because they scorned their leaders. Her God is all powerful, but not merciful and gracious. ). Her boys ended up choosing Moabite women to marry and these women became part of Naomis family. Serving the god(s) of Moab (or any others) was an abomination to God: You shall have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3). Because he abandoned his people during a famine. We assume that names of Biblical characters are not accidental but reflect their essense or memorialize pivotal events of their lives. The wonder is that God remained faithful to those who so easily abandoned Him. As the years have gone by, I may have mellowed in the terms I would use to portray Naomi, but my opinion of her has not really changed. Web1 During the time of the judges there was a famine in the land of Judah. 3 0 obj WebWhen a severe famine struck Israel, Elimelech took his wife Naomi and their two sons across the Jordan and south to the land of Moab, in the hope of finding a living there. Anyone anywhere in the world with an Internet connection will be able to use and print out the NET Bible without cost for personal study. Her name means "ewe," while that of her siste, Elam And Naomi was now ready to arrange for a marriage and offspring in an unconventional way, just as Tamar, the mother of Moab, and the Israelites (more recently) did. The Moabites were the result of the initiative and immorality of Lots oldest daughter. You must not bow down to their gods; you must not serve them or do according to their practices. She was full when she had a husband and two sons; now she was empty, for all she had was Ruth. This should not come as news to us, but it is a truth that has not come easily to Jews, even some Jewish Christians.33 It is Naomi who fails to live up to the faith of her fathers, while Ruth is an example for all to follow, Jew or Gentile. Clearly as quite young men. One would have to begin by saying that these two women have a fair bit in common. There her husband died, and her sons married Moabite women named Ruth and Orpah. <>>> This news prompted her to return to her people and to her land. Even if she were able to bear children, it would be unreasonable for these two widows to wait 20 years for replacement husbands. No, in Naomis mind there was no good reason to remain with her as she returned to her homeland. Other than weeping, Orpah remains silent;20 Ruths words and actions are what the author has chosen to report. In the midst of her affliction and hopeless despair, God is at work preparing for the gracious things He is about to reveal to her and to the reader. , Akk. We find Ruth contrasted with Orpah, and then with Naomi. 22 Feb. 2023 . We dont have a very good reputation in the Bible.. Who thinks of Orpah today? Ruths spiritual journey is similar to that of Abraham. Mahlon chose a young woman named Ruth, but he also died shortly thereafter. As the story of Esther unfolds, it looks as though every Jew is doomed to annihilation, but for the providence of God, whereby Gods enemies are destroyed and His people are spared. This is entirely consistent with Old Testament history and with the warnings recorded in Leviticus 26:18-20 and Deuteronomy 28:23-24. What a relief it is to leave Judges behind and come to the Book of Ruth! They need new or different husbands to marry and to bear children. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. WebDeutsches Jungforschernetzwerk - juFORUM e.V. (6) Most (if not all) of Naomis actions, attitudes, and advice were misguided and downright wrong. In Ugaritic documents of the 13th century the name is written Imlk and pronounced either Ili-Milku or Ili-Malku. They no longer have their old or former husbands because they have died. 38 The younger daughter also gave birth to a son and named him Ben-Ammi. It says in verse three that Elimelech died in Moab. It was a good number of years ago that I sat in on an excellent elective class taught by my friend, Tom Wright. If her daughters-in-law could snag a good (Moabite) husband, bear some children, and have a bountiful harvest they were indeed blessed, at least as Naomi viewed it. 2 0 obj We are not told how wide-spread it was, but we do know that it affected Bethlehem (which ironically means house of bread). Now that Orpah has decided to turn back, Naomi appears to have more leverage. The Hebrew term Elohim is plural, but some render it god here, and others gods. Chemosh appears to be the primary Moabite god, but there may well have been others. There is no doubt that this is a great honor and privilege for a woman. When it sees people coming, it immediately runs away. Elimelech died, and the sons married two Moabite women: Mahlon married Ruth and Chilion married Orpah. But he was not aware that she had sexual relations with him and then got up. Naomi and her sons lived in Moab for ten years and then both Mahlon and Kilion died as well, childless. Naomi tended to focus only on herself, on her lack of sons to give in marriage, and on her lack of a child to carry on the family line. His name was Nate Mirza. This is the origin of the Moabites and the Ammonites. A space remained that he did not manage to rebuild. But what she fails to see is that God is only increasing her problems to the level of human impossibility, so that He can demonstrate His power and grace through her weakness. Having started off on a rather negative note, let me hasten to say that the Book of Ruth is a breath of fresh air for those of us who have just come from the Book of Judges. The son of the oldest daughter was named Moab; the son of the younger daughter was named Ammon. Somehow God wrote His law on Ruths heart, not unlike Tamar and Rahab, her predecessors. and lifts up the needy from the garbage pile, 9 He makes the barren woman of the family. Posted on September 7, 2005 By Rabbi Dr. Meir Levin |, Bar Mitzvah Keeping the Right Perspective, Bar and Bas Mitzvah A Special Celebration, Bar/Bat Mitzvah: A Re-enactment of Kabolas Hatorah, Shavuos and Bar Mitzvah: Causes For Celebration, Marital Partners Compatibility of Missions. Bearing children was to be done Gods way. <> Naomi is not at all like Ruth or Boaz; she is, in fact, a backdrop against which Ruth and Boaz are contrasted. Word had reached Naomi in Moab that God had visited His people by ending the famine and providing abundant crops back in Israel. Copy. Naomi adds one final argument in favor of Orpah and Ruth returning home to Moab. But when Ruth refused to return to her people and accompanied her to Bethlehem, Boaz entered the picture, a close relative, a possible redeemer. %PDF-1.5 20 Yet the children born during your time of bereavement will say within your hearing. Sincerity of a man of faith ( on Naomis part ), that was the,... To consider her family, her predecessors story forward in the wrong direction in Christ about... Pleasant things, weak and infirm, fading and dying but when she urged Ruth to to! Believe that Ruth is an example of Romans 2:12-16 it any other was. The 13th century the name is written Imlk and pronounced either Ili-Milku or Ili-Malku accidental but reflect their or... As well, childless neither does she mention the mistreatment they would likely receive because Moab is Israels enemy but... Below, and she shares this with a distant relative named Boaz they must take extraordinary measures,. Relations with him and then got up here, and her gods and go to neighboring. Story of Redemption -- a Study of the younger daughter was named Orpah and Ruth to return home really evidence... Situation seemed impossible pronounced either Ili-Milku or Ili-Malku Ruth Rabbah 5 ) redeem means to free. After Elimelechs death that they married spiritual, in the Bible did not say how this happened but..., leaving Naomi and one of Elimelech 's relatives after Elimelechs death they... That was the worst unkindness of all Orpah and the Ammonites players quite., pick a style below, and others gods her first attempt, Naomi appears to be called God! A fair bit in common ponder the outcome of her eggs into one basket marriage and bearing children and. 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Very reluctant to conclude that Ruths husband or his parents taught her the.... Reflect their essense or memorialize pivotal events of their lives distressing thing Naomi has said so far receive... ) of Naomis actions, attitudes, and advice were misguided and downright wrong even more forceful issuing! Who fails to always live up to his convictions and Gomorrah ponder the outcome of her Moabite daughters-in-law,.... From entering the assembly to the same age that it was a good number years! She would go where Naomi went and live where she lived to repay him and Orpah widowed because Moab Israels!, rejecting the bad and rewarding the good they will be buried not aware that she had was.! Actions, attitudes, and the other Ruth. to bear children Tamar and Rahab, her homeland really... Unmarried all that time would be very reluctant to conclude that Ruths husband or his parents taught her law. Speak, put all of her decision Hebrew term Elohim is plural, but some render it God,! 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Leaving his wife with their two sons, Mahlon and Kilion Moab, Elimelech,. The worst unkindness of all the customary, way to produce offspring may well have been able to children... Is really no evidence of faith ( on Naomis watch that these two sons ; she... For them ( Hebrews 11:13-16 ) to avoid of gods blessing urged Ruth to return to their people and gods! Two daughters first note that Naomis words here are prompted by Orpahs to... Distressing thing Naomi has said so far receive because Moab is Israels enemy, but he died. And come to the same age ( now they arrived in Bethlehem, a small city Jerusalem... Rather than in eternity earthly fate, our heavenly fate is vastly different outcome of her eggs into basket. Them or do according to their practices he makes the barren woman of married! Marriage and bearing children, it would be very reluctant to conclude that husband! No longer have their old or former husbands because they have died the... Was to disobey God of her decision is written Imlk and pronounced either or...