A Journey Through The Old Testament - Elmer Towns

ead during their Exodus from Egypt and hiring Balaam to curse the nation (cf. Deut. 23:3-7).
As a result, there were ingrained religious and cultural reasons that kept Israel from even wanting
to have relations with the neighboring nation. And at the time Elimelech left, Moab was at war
with Israel.
Perhaps Elimelech really didn’t have a choice once he had decided to run from the
discipline of God. The Midianites and their allies had invaded Israel as far as Gaza which was a
Philistine stronghold. Some commentators believe those who tried to escape to Egypt were
attacked on the road to Egypt. There were few other refuges left for one committed to leaving
Israel.
Beyond this, there was also the visibility factor. He could actually see Moab. The green
pastures of Moab, though forty to sixty miles away, would have been visible to Elimelech from
his home high in the village of Bethlehem. And as his wife continued to remind him of all the
problems in Bethlehem, he could look out his window and see the lush green pastures of Moab in
the distance.
Eventually the decision was made and the family moved. But once they arrived in Moab,
conditions were even better than they imagined. The decision was made to remain there (Ruth
1:2). The change in the Hebrew verb suggests a change of heart in Elimelech once in Moab.
“Then Elimelech, Noami’s husband, died” (v. 3). Though not expressly stated as such, the
context almost certainly implies the necessity of interpreting this death as a judgment of God.
But the death of Elimelech seems to have had little effect on the spiritual state of the
family. “They dwelt there about ten years” (v. 4). Again the verb change demonstrates a change
of heart in Moab. They had come to the place where they were prepared to settle down and live
in Moab as home. Naomi’s sons married wives chosen from the women of Moab and there is no
indication anyone gave any thought to returning home to Bethlehem. Eventually the sons also
died leaving behind three widows to fend for themselves. Only then did Naomi decide it was
time to go home to Bethlehem. But it was not an evidence of spiritual renewal in her life. On the
way home she succeeded in convincing one of her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab where she
could worship the false gods of that land rather than following Naomi to Bethlehem (v. 15). This
was not a spiritual suggestion by Naomi. But only one was convinced not to migrate to
Bethlehem.
Even in this first chapter, the faith of Ruth is contrasted with the apostasy of Israel.
Despite the persuasive arguments of her mother-in-law, Ruth could not be persuaded to abandon
her faith in God and commitment to Naomi. “And Ruth said, `Entreat me not to leave you, or to
turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I
will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God’” (v. 16). Only when Naomi
realized Ruth was “determined to go with her” did she cease trying to convince her to return to
Moab (v. 18).
Still, Ruth’s commitment had little immediate impact on Naomi’s disposition. On their
return to Bethlehem, Naomi was recognized by the women of the village who remembered her.
But she urged them to no longer call her Naomi which means “pleasant” but rather Mara
meaning “bitter,” “for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord
has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified
against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” (vv. 20-21)
What a contrast in the words of this very bitter lady. Naomi took the name of God which
is characteristically involved in comforting those in sorrow (Shaddai, cf. Job), and used it to
accuse God of mistreating her. This statement reflects an inner attitude and suggests she had