Title: God Exhorting His People
Contents
Ruth 1:6-7
When he heard that he was in the region of Moab, that the Lord had counseled his people to provide food for them, he got up with his two wives and left the place where they were going to return from the province of Moab. while doing
In Ruth 1:6-14, the word “return” appears several times. How many times will the word "return" occur? As you read Ruth 1:6-14, count the number of times the word “return” appears. The same goes for "turn around".
The word 'return' appears six times in the text from verses 6 to 14. It can be seen that this word is used a lot, but the topic in 1:6 and below is Naomi's return to her homeland. Naomi and her family fled their beloved hometown to escape the famine in Bethlehem. I went to the Gentile land of Moab. There, Naomi experienced great sorrow that her husband, whom she trusted and loved, was cut, and even her two sons' cords were cut.
That's what the world is all about. The world's cords will one day be cut off. But the bond of God that holds us is strong forever. There is no way to break it. Only when we hold on to that line and live can we gain strength and win.
Now let's take a look at how God works for Naomi, who is in a difficult situation. We are in a state of despair through human eyes, but God never forsakes us. There is a saying that “the end of man is the beginning of God”. Don't try to do it on your own. Don't rely on my abilities. This is something we can only do if God is with us.
In verse 6, three important events are mentioned. And why Naomi returns is recorded.
"He and his two wives arose and came back from the land of Moab, because he heard that he was in the region of Moab, and that the Lord had counseled his people and gave them food."
The first is that "he was in the land of Moab, and the LORD counseled his people, and he gave them food." In the phrase “God has counseled his people,” the Korean word for “recommended” means “to take care of”, and the original Hebrew meaning is “God has visited”. God counseled his people, that is, God looked after his people and visited them and gave them food. This is the first case.
The second case was, "Because I heard it." Naomi heard the news from the region of Moab. How it was heard is unknown, but it was probably heard from merchants and travelers traveling between Moab and Bethlehem in Judah. It was the second incident that we heard the news of Bethlehem.
It was news, but there must have been someone here who talked about the Bethlehem situation so that Naomi could hear it. Here we can realize one of our missions. That we, too, should be hearers. Just as it was good news to Naomi that God had counseled his people, there are people who can tell stories about Jesus Christ to be good news. We need to let them hear. We must be messengers.
Isaiah 40:9, “Go up on a high mountain, you who bring good news to Zion; you who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice and do not be afraid; lift up your voice and say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God.”
The third event is, "Therefore, rise up with the two wives." It is the third incident that Naomi and her two daughters-in-law wake up to return home. Naomi escaped a famine in Bethlehem and moved to Moab, leaving behind her beloved hometown and relatives. However, it is not going to go home after all. Moreover, here in Moab, my beloved husband and two sons are buried. Leaving such a place would be difficult without a big decision. But Naomi made a decision. Faith is a decision. The reason Abraham left the great city of Ur was because he had decided to obey God's command.
In verse 7, Naomi finally sets out on the road to return to her hometown.
“After leaving the place where they were, the two wives and their wives went with him on the road to return to the land of Judah, but Naomi said to the two wives, “Go back to your mother’s house, each of you.”
Where did Naomi start?
"Where it was."
The text of the Bible simply says "where it was". I don't know where in Moab, but I've left where I've been living.
There were people accompanying Naomi.
"The two wives are with him."
The two sons-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, set out with Naomi. Ruth's husband was Marlon, and Orpah's husband was Kirion. Where are they going?
"The land of Judah."
Their hometown, Bethlehem, Judah, is their destination. What is the purpose of the trip? Let's try to answer with the words in verse 7.
"To come back."
They left where they were staying to return to Bethlehem. How was your trip?
"While walking down the road."
It is not stated whether he rode a donkey or walked for the trip, but he followed the road.
In today's text, there is something we need to realize and move on. Who gives us our daily bread? Verse 6 says, “Because I heard that the LORD had counseled his people and gave them food.” It is Jehovah who gives us food. See also verse 9. "May the Lord grant each of you peace in your husband's house." Orpah and Ruth's husband died. Who will give these two a new husband? Jehovah. Jehovah does all the work. It's not my strength. If you just work hard and do your best, everything seems to work, but it's not. It is God who controls life. It is God who gives us the food we need, and it is God who makes us meet good people. Those who depend on God never fail. "God, counsel me." We should always have the subject of these prayers.
If God remembers, everything will happen. This is when Joseph was put in prison. In prison, he interprets the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker, and asks, "Remember me when you leave," but the man forgot. People are always like that. But God did not forget Joseph.
On the cross the thief said to Jesus,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
"Never forget me, remember me when I come to your paradise," he said. Jesus never forgets. He promised the thief on the cross.
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
When we pray, “Jesus, have mercy on us and remember us,” God will remember us and solve all our difficult problems. I hope that you and I will receive God's counsel while holding on to the subject of this prayer this morning and praying.