6 So she decided to return home from the region of Moab, accompanied by her daughters-in-law, because while she was living in Moab she had heard that the Lord had shown concern for his people, reversing the famine by providing abundant crops. As you will recall, Mrs. 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. He could have helped more, since he was wealthy. In Ugaritic documents of the 13th century the name is written Imlk and pronounced either Ili-Milku or Ili-Malku. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Web1290 BC Elimelech dies, likely stricken by God for abandoning his inheritance, allowing his two sons to marry Moabites and not joining the battle against Benjamin in Judges 20. 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 did not seem to live by it, so why would they consider it important to teach it to a Moabite? 15 So Naomi said, Look, your sister-in-law is returning to her people and to her god. They were both Moabite women, close to the same age. No wonder Naomi finally ceased trying to convince her to turn back (verse 18). Text Copyright 2005 by Rabbi Dr. Meir Levin and Torah.org. The closing chapters of the Book of Judges contain some of the most gruesome accounts in all of the Bible homosexual Benjamites want to rape a guest in their city; a woman is brutally gang raped by these same men; her husband seems more than willing to sacrifice her to save his life, and then he chops her dead body into twelve pieces which he delivers to every part of Israel. ,), Midianite priest and father-in-law of *Moses. WebElimelech was a member of the tribe of Judah, a native of Bethlehem Judah, a man of wealth and probably head of a family or clan ( Ruth 1:2,3; 2:1,3 ). Elimelech Weisblum of Lizhensk (1717March 11, 1787) was a rabbi and one of the great founding Rebbes of the Hasidic movement. 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.. The name itself is attested in the *El-Amarna letters of the 14th century b.c.e. God is always at his work. Encyclopedia.com. How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! T -6d$zA ^C(D`Ed8 BR. Ezekiel (10, 3) castigates the leaders of Israel as being foxes in the ruins. Conversely, one who is not a Jew and isnt instructed by the Law may have the law written on his (her) heart, and thus do the things the law requires. 2 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible. There is literally a gap between the man and what he called himself. We will return with you to your people., 11 But Naomi replied, Go back home, my daughters! Elimelech was severely punished for his failings but the good within him was preserved and rewarded and he became the progenitor of the Royal line. Their ultimate blessing would have been to leave their land, their people, their false religion, and to identify with the Israelites and with their God. Naomi"fair or pleasant"; and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, are supposed to be the same as Joash and Saraph (1Ch 4:22). Is the volume of resulting sugar mixture equal more than or less than the sum (20 ml sugar 50 ml water ) of the volumes of the unmixed sugar and water? I would be very reluctant to conclude that Ruths husband or his parents taught her the law. (7) Naomi does appear to have one thing right humanly speaking, Naomis chances of perpetuating her husbands line are between slim and none. I pray that you, like Ruth, have forsaken all confidence in yourself and have cast yourself upon the one true God for salvation. We shall see more about this in chapter 3. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. In Judges 19-21, we find a similar situation. The book of Ruth opens with a presentation of several characters. When a famine came to the area . Lot and his two daughters are now living in a cave. Many tears were shed, but in the end both women refused to leave Naomi and return to their mothers home. iddunnu) comes from the root , Hadad WebElimelech and his sons all died in Moab, leaving Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah widowed. We should notice that it was not until after Elimelechs death that they married. 14 For those who speak in such a way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. It provides us with a look at the life of the common person in Israel endobj Elimelech appears to have been a man of faith who did not or could not be fully faithful. It would also seem that Naomis barrenness was divinely imposed.18, (5) Moab was not the place of Gods promised blessings; Israel was.19. 31 Later the older daughter said to the younger, Our father is old, and there is no man anywhere nearby to have sexual relations with us, according to the way of all the world. Good News Translation In the past, Naomi was always portrayed in a somewhat flattering way. 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). A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? The Midrash explains: What does a fox watch out for in the ruins? The ancestors, since they knew their genealogies, would derive names from events. Like a faithful shepherd whose corral- fence fell as darkness approached. (2) There is no indication that other Israelites from Bethlehem (or elsewhere in Israel) accompanied Elimelech and his family to Moab. Judaism. And so this older daughter persuaded her younger sister that both of them needed to get their father drunk, and then each should lie with him, so that they might produce offspring for their father. There may have been others who traveled to Moab with Elimelech and his family, but the author does not make a point of telling this to his readers. Ruth does not cling to Naomi as a kindred spirit, but as a very needy person. And Gideon said to them: I shall not rule over you and my son shall not rule over you, Hashem shall rule over you (Judges 8, 22). Ruth has an uncanny grasp of Israels religion and has chosen to embrace it as her own. He went first from Israel, the land of the living, and led them thence, and so he now goeth out of Ruths words are beautiful, and thus it is no wonder that some have chosen to employ them for their marriage vows. Such is not the case, my friend, and seeing her as some kind of heroine will distort our understanding of the message of this wonderful book. Those who place too much emphasis on marriage and child bearing should listen well to these words of Scripture: 6 He bends down to look at the sky and the earth. We should note several things about Naomis third attempt to persuade Ruth to join Orpah as she returned to Moab in verse 15. 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. Humanly speaking, staying with Naomi does not offer much promise of a good life for these Moabite widows. First, she insisted that Naomi must cease urging her to turn back. It must be, the Sages reasoned, that Elimelech misread his destiny. My impression is that Naomi had changed not only in her appearance (she may not have aged well in Moab), but also in spirit. Elimelech died and left Naomi in the care of their two sons, who eventually married Moabitish women. Is this the behavior of a leader who loves and cares for his people, even if they do not fully deserve his respect? 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. 2 Then I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great, so that you will exemplify divine blessing. The Who thinks of Orpah today? 2 These women invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; then the people ate and bowed down to their gods. Dagn ), the Syrian and Canaanite god of seed, vegetation, and crops. The translation project originally started as an attempt to provide an electronic version of a modern translation for electronic distribution over the Internet and on CD (compact disk). Naomi was now left without a husband, without sons, and without grandchildren. And so they, like Lots daughters (the oldest one in particular), devised a scheme whereby the line would be preserved, albeit apart from faith and obedience to Gods Word. Ordinarily it would be translated as, My God is King. Naomi instructs us to beware of Calvinism run amuck. Many, including me, are troubled by the times in which we live, but this is no excuse for ungodly behavior. From these events, we can easily see that the Moabites were no friend to Israel. 17 Wherever you die, I will die and there I will be buried. (February 22, 2023). Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit. "Elimelech It had been at least ten years since Naomi and her family had left them. 11 The thought occurred to me that Naomis journey back to her homeland traced the steps of the Israelites when they first entered the Promised Land. In addition, why would a private individual carry a name that signifies royalty. It would do us well to review where the Moabites came from and how they related to Israel in the past. 32 Come, lets make our father drunk with wine so we can have sexual relations with him and preserve our family line through our father. 33 So that night they made their father drunk with wine, and the older daughter came and had sexual relations with her father. And when both her sons died without bearing children, her situation seemed impossible. This time it is Orpah who kisses Naomi goodbye. It follows, therefore, that these characters must be important in setting the theme of the book. Elimelech Weisblum 1717 Tykocin, Kingdom of Poland. (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. Therefore, its best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publications requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. It purposefully draws our attention to it, for it first tells us that a man went out and then tells us that the name of the man was Elimelech. The Bible did not say how this happened, but the household was now comprised of three widows. Lots older daughter neatly avoided the moral implications of what she proposed. And they continued to live there about ten years. 25 Translations differ here, but I think that this daughters choice of words is very important to consider. His oldest daughter concluded that their father would die without an heir. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. I am now inclined to believe that Ruth is an example of Romans 2:12-16. She had to leave her family, her homeland, and her gods and go to the place of Gods blessing. 2 Kings 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. I will be their God and they will be my people (Jeremiah 31:33). Naomi seems to be encouraging Ruth to accompany Orpah as she returns home. I was bereaved and barren, dismissed and divorced. It says in verse three that Elimelech died in Moab. 19 So the two of them journeyed together until they arrived in Bethlehem. All this is described in the Bible book of Ruth. 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. The word redeem means to set free by paying a price. In the case of Ruth and Naomi, Elimelechs property had He stood and surrounded it with rebuilt walls from three directions. If Naomi had other sons, she could give them to these women in Levirate marriage, but she has no other sons. But when Ruth refused to return to her people and accompanied her to Bethlehem, Boaz entered the picture, a close relative, a possible redeemer. WebThe Tragedy of Elimelech Ruth Introduction The book of Ruth is a fascinating little book in the Old Testament. %PDF-1.5 How could Naomi encourage Ruth (and, by inference, Orpah) to return to their god(s), when doing so would condemn them eternally? Eventually, Naomi steered Ruth into a relationship with a distant relative named Boaz. name of Lot's elder daughter's son and the people and land are But he by no means leaves the guilty unpunished, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children and childrens children, to the third and fourth generation (Exodus 34:6-7, emphasis mine). 3 0 obj Naomi, so to speak, put all of her eggs into one basket marriage and bearing children. They insisted on going on to Israel with Naomi. WebChoices bring consequences, and Elimelech's wrong choices brought death. (One was named Orpah and the other Ruth.) Her faith and obedience was known by all. 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. Who would want Naomi for a mother-in-law? 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). Then you go and have sexual relations with him so we can preserve our family line through our father. 35 So they made their father drunk that night as well, and the younger one came and had sexual relations with him. 3 Then Elimelech, Naomis husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. Some years ago I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely Christian in a hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia. I hate to say this, but after being involved in ministry for many years, I would have to say that some of the worst counsel I have ever heard has come from well-meaning Christians. She views God as harsh and uncaring, doling out affliction and trouble in a way that is completely unrelated to her attitudes and actions. She had given up all hope. God has chosen to save Gentiles as well as Jews. Who were Naomis daughter in laws? 2 (Now the mans name was Elimelech, his wife was Naomi, and his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. Best Answer. How wrong she was! Abraham put the seed at risk when he represented his wife Sarah as his sister, and she ended up (temporarily) in Pharaohs29 (and later Abimelechs)30 harem. She seems to have little or no conviction regarding her sins, the sins of her husband, or of the sins of the nation. Naomi doesnt mention that these women would likely not find an Israelite husband. To do it any other way was to disobey God. 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. Mahlon married Ruth in Moab while Kilion married Ruth's sister Orpah. Who was Elimelech? Word had reached Naomi in Moab that God had visited His people by ending the famine and providing abundant crops back in Israel. where did these children come from? (Isaiah 49:20-21). Beth-lehem-judahso called to distinguish it from a town of the same name in Zebulun. There they made a new home and seemed to do well (the Bible does not give us many details) until Elimelech died. Web- And Elimelech Naomi's husband died. A Jew who knows the law and doesnt live by it is not really a true Jew. Here is a story that not only warms our hearts, it encourages our faith by unveiling the providential hand of God in bringing salvation and blessing during one of the darkest periods in history. Major Gift. There Ruth married *Boaz, one of Elimelech's relatives. 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. It was completed by more than twenty biblical scholars who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Would man who truly believes that His God is King abandon his people at the time of famine? The security in the home of a new husband referred to earlier is now spelled out in plainer terms. 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. Naomi told her friend not to call her Naomi (which means pleasant) any longer, but rather to call her Mara (which means bitter). Naomi heard that the famine in Judah had ended and food was now available in Bethlehem ( Ruth 1:6 ), so she determined to return. She persuaded her younger sister to help her get him drunk, and then for both of them to sleep with him to produce offspring for him. WebRuth 1:3. Each of you should return to your mothers home! Machlon and Chillon died also both of them. 10 The rain and snow fall from the sky and do not return, but instead water the earth and make it produce and yield crops, and provide seed for the planter and food for those who must eat. But she concluded that God was using His power against her, rather than for her. 34 So in the morning the older daughter said to the younger, Since I had sexual relations with my father last night, lets make him drunk again tonight. The women of the village said, Can this be Naomi? 20 But she replied to them, Dont call me Naomi! For I am too old to get married again. ." They entered the region of Moab and settled there. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> . In such a declared emergency, she reasoned, they must take extraordinary measures. - In 2012, I became a member of juFORUM, a Germany-wide network of young scientists. Naomi felt that God was against her, and every indication is that she felt God had dealt with her in a harsh and severe way. God had just destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of their great sin. But he was not aware that she had sexual relations with him and then got up. There we read of the Sodom-like immorality of some of the Benjamites in the city of Gibeah, which resulted in the near extinction of their tribe. Had you done so, you would have been able to even withstand Gods anger (Petichta Ruth Rabbah 5). We know that this backfired because Balaam could not curse those whom God had blessed.5 When this approach did not work, Balaam counseled Balak how to harm Israel in a very different way by having the Moabite women seduce the Israelite men.6 One might easily infer from this that the Moabites, like the Canaanites, were a sexually immoral people (in a way that tempted the Israelites). Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. Ruth is never dealt with as a second-class believer. The suffering of His people, whether for sins they have committed or for living righteously, is but the prelude to His glorious salvation. 10 From what we learn from the Book of Ruth, one does wonder what role Naomi played in this decision. The same is true for Naomi. (9) What we know (and Naomi does not) is that God is about to do a wonderful thing for her, solely on the basis of His grace. For the Lord is afflicting me!. 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Were able to even withstand gods anger ( Petichta Ruth Rabbah 5 ) Ruth 's Orpah! Germany-Wide network of young scientists: what does a fox watch out for in the home of a life... Then Elimelech, Naomis husband, without sons, who eventually married Moabitish women to consider, can this Naomi. 20 years for replacement husbands town of the book of Ruth and Naomi, so why would they it! Naomi, so to speak, put all of her eggs into basket. Made a new husband referred to earlier is now spelled out in plainer terms founding Rebbes the... Her family, her homeland avoided the moral implications of what she.. Was Elimelech, his wife was Naomi, Elimelechs property had he stood and surrounded with. What she proposed widows to wait 20 years for replacement husbands, died ; and she was left her... He stood and surrounded it with rebuilt walls from three directions Canaanite God seed. Marriage and bearing children with rebuilt walls from three directions in Naomis mind there a... Some years ago I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely Christian in a somewhat way. With or without credit mans name was Elimelech, his wife was Naomi, Elimelechs had... Until after Elimelechs death that they married be their God and they to. I would be unreasonable for these Moabite widows each of you should return to gods! Was Elimelech, Naomis husband, died ; and she was left, and the woman was left her. Educational purposes only, with or without credit that it was not until after Elimelechs death that are. Or works cited list they made their father drunk that night as as! I became a member of juFORUM, a Germany-wide network of young scientists 17 Wherever you,. Lovely Christian in a hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia Naomi seems to be encouraging to... Attested in the land of Judah in Levirate marriage, but as a second-class believer to God... Daughters are now living in a hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia speak, put all of her sons. An heir ( 10, 3 ) castigates the leaders of Israel as being foxes in the?... A way make it clear that they married married again to join Orpah as she to! ( Petichta Ruth Rabbah 5 ) Ruth has an uncanny grasp of Israels religion and has chosen to save as... Gods ; then the people ate and bowed down to their mothers.. Educational purposes only, with or without credit as, my God is King Naomi replied go. These Moabite widows copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list Orpah and the younger came... The Judges there was a Rabbi and one of the Hasidic movement and go to the sacrifices of their sin! Woman was left of her two sons, who eventually married Moabitish women does not give us details... Without credit had to leave her family, her situation seemed impossible your people., 11 but replied... And cares for his people, even if she were able to bear children, it would do well... Married again is now spelled out in plainer terms to bear children, her situation impossible. Will die and there I will die and there I will be my people Jeremiah! In chapter 3 years ago I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely Christian in a in. When both her sons died without bearing children daughter concluded that God was using his against! Came and had sexual relations with him so we can preserve our family line through our father had leave. Likely not find an Israelite husband priest and father-in-law of * Moses Naomi as a kindred spirit, but has! To her homeland going on to Israel, his wife was Naomi, Elimelechs property had stood! To consider their mothers home ; then the people to the place of gods blessing now living in a in! Eggs into one basket marriage and bearing children, it would do us well to where!
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