This time it is Orpah who kisses Naomi goodbye. They would be (or so it may have seemed to Naomi) a liability to her when she returned. Encyclopaedia Judaica. 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. Naomi told her friend not to call her Naomi (which means pleasant) any longer, but rather to call her Mara (which means bitter). And they will do this because they believe they are doing their friend a favor. 1 0 obj The ancestors, since they knew their genealogies, would derive names from events. Mahlon chose a young woman named Ruth, but he also died shortly thereafter. In this emergency, she was proposing an unconventional solution to their problem. 38 The younger daughter also gave birth to a son and named him Ben-Ammi. (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. In an effort to escape the famine, a man named Elimelech took his family to Moab, where he intended for his family to sojourn until the famine ended.10 How could he have imagined how long his family would stay? Web(5) And they died. Copyright Torah.org Project Genesis. 2 These women invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; then the people ate and bowed down to their gods. Perhaps he was not even fully aware of this failing but God was. Amen (Romans 11:33-36). And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. We find Ruth contrasted with Orpah, and then with Naomi. She does not acknowledge sin on her part (and Elimelechs), and she does not seek to repent. It would do us well to review where the Moabites came from and how they related to Israel in the past. When it sees people coming, it immediately runs away. Such are the products of our pleasant things, weak and infirm, fading and dying. 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. He thought that he would be King. This story can be found in the book of Ruth. Create a Memorial God has chosen to save Gentiles as well as Jews. (One was named Orpah and the other Ruth.) The contrast between Ruth and Orpah. They would be a reminder that Naomis sons their husbands had not married Israelite wives. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. Lots daughters, the Israelites (on behalf of the Benjamites), and Naomi are inclined to resort to a pragmatic solution, rather than one that is faith-based and rooted in principle. We should first note that Naomis words here are prompted by Orpahs decision to return home. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. Even professing Christians can fall victim to the tyranny of the urgent. 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. Encyclopedia.com. And she was honored to be a part of the messianic line.34. Naomi counseled Orpah and Ruth to do what seemed right in their eyes. Can one dismiss the sincerity of a man of faith who fails to always live up to his convictions? - In 2012, I became a member of juFORUM, a Germany-wide network of young scientists. HADAD , an early Semitic god, first appears in texts written in the Old Akkadian dialect and in Eblaite (third millennium). 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. RACHEL (Heb. There is literally a gap between the man and what he called himself. How could Naomi encourage Ruth (and, by inference, Orpah) to return to their god(s), when doing so would condemn them eternally? Had you done so, you would have been able to even withstand Gods anger (Petichta Ruth Rabbah 5). If Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon, and Kilion suffered because of their sins, they deserved it. The story in the book tells that Naomi plans to That is precisely what Naomi did with Orpah and Ruth. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 1:1-5 Elimelech's care to provide for his family, was not to be blamed; but his removal into the country of Moab could not be justified. And the removal ended in the wasting of his family. Both were related to Naomi in the same way. Encyclopedias almanacs transcripts and maps. God sees things not as we see them. In such a declared emergency, she reasoned, they must take extraordinary measures. 7 Now as she and her two daughters-in-law began to leave the place where she had been living to return to the land of Judah, 8 Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Listen to me! The more Naomi moans on about how bad things are for her, and how hopeless it would be for Orpah or Ruth to stay with her, the more we see the mighty hand of God working all things for the good of His people, as well as for His glory. 36 In this way both of Lots daughters became pregnant by their father. But when she urged Ruth to return to her pagan god(s), that was the worst unkindness of all. 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? There is no reason for you to return to Judah with me! To him be glory forever! Be careful not to jump to conclusions. Lot fled with his daughters and was living in a cave. (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. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live as a resident foreigner in the region of Moab, along with Naomi should teach us to be careful about accepting the counsel of those who seem to be well meaning. The Due to the famine in Israel during the time of the Judges, Elimelech crossed over to Moab, where he and his two sons died. (February 22, 2023). DAGON (Heb. 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). Naomis hope was in the physical rather than in the spiritual, in the present rather than in eternity. ; "God [or my God] is king"), the husband of *Naomi and father of Mahlon and *Chilion, from Beth-Lehem in Judah. All rights reserved. Both women initially refused to heed Naomis exhortation to leave her and return to Moab. It is not Naomis belief in the sovereignty of God that troubles me as much as how she applies it. (2) There is no indication that other Israelites from Bethlehem (or elsewhere in Israel) accompanied Elimelech and his family to Moab. The benchmark by which we need to compare Ruth and Naomi is the Abrahamic Covenant: 1 Now the LORD said to Abram, Go out from your country, your relatives, and your father's household to the land that I will show you. How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! Web- And Elimelech Naomi's husband died. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, Ruth: A Story of Redemption -- A Study of the Book of Ruth. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them (Hebrews 11:13-16). No wonder they didnt have a great reputation. Thankfully, she later confessed and returned to Israel. He stood and surrounded it with rebuilt walls from three directions. It was a bad start, and sadly things didnt get any better over time. 15 In fact, if they had been thinking of the land that they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. The second clue that this name is meant to be interpreted is how the verse presents it. "I Have Already Written of You Thrice:" Megilat Esther and the Eternal War with Amalek, Many Can Have "Urim" - Power; But Few Have "Tumim" Power. I can imagine how it alarmed and frightened Naomi when Elimelech died while they were sojourning in Moab. And they continued to live there about ten years. He stood in the opening and blocked it with his body. Ill attempt to support my conclusions as we proceed in our study of this book. My impression is that Naomi had changed not only in her appearance (she may not have aged well in Moab), but also in spirit. To walk in the steps of Abraham, one like Ruth would need to: (1) leave her relatives; (2) leave her homeland; and, (3) trust God to bless her as she sought to bless her mother-in-law. W. Moran, The Amarna Letters (1992), 326; W. Watson and N. Wyatt (eds. 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). Submit your piece for review, and if approved we will publish it on our site as Community Contributions., Change Your Subscription 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. If God has it in for Naomi, what woman in her right mind would want to be closely associated with her? This is completely secular thinking. 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. Ruth and Naomi are very different people. Naomi"fair or pleasant"; and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, are supposed to be the same as Joash and Saraph (1Ch 4:22). 16 But as it is, they aspire to a better land, that is, a heavenly one. Ruth and Orpah did not bear Jewish children, too. Both the Benjamites sin and their judgment are similar to what happened in Genesis 19. 9 May the Lord enable each of you to find security in the home of a new husband! Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept loudly. You will note from the first verse of chapter 1 that the setting for the story of Ruth is the times of the judges. (3) One gets the impression that those who remained in Bethlehem fared reasonably well during the famine; certainly better than Naomi and her family did. Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. 10 From what we learn from the Book of Ruth, one does wonder what role Naomi played in this decision. 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. Good News Translation He was one of the c, JETHRO The tale begins not in Israel or Judah but in Moab, where the Israelite Naomi and her husband, Elimelech, and her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, went during a famine in Judah. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. In the past, Naomi was always portrayed in a somewhat flattering way. In Naomis mind, it probably was in their best interest, but it also appeared to benefit her. Now it's ironic that he left Bethlehem because he was afraid he couldn't survive there, yet he went over into Moab and died anyway. The Path of Despair and the Path of Return. Other than weeping, Orpah remains silent;20 Ruths words and actions are what the author has chosen to report. It follows, therefore, that these characters must be important in setting the theme of the book. 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. as Ili-Milku, a variant of the name Milk-ilu, ruler of Gezer. Such people are in misery, and honestly, they make those around them miserable as well. 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. Another label for pragmatism is doing what seems right in our own eyes. That was the spirit of the age during the days of the judges. I believe the opening words of A Tale of Two Cities go like this: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . Surely these words aptly describe Ruth in the period of the judges. 1 Copyright 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. In addition, why would a private individual carry a name that signifies royalty. 2013Mrz 20185 Jahre. The security in the home of a new husband referred to earlier is now spelled out in plainer terms. % First, she insisted that Naomi must cease urging her to turn back. 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 woman was left of her two sons and her husband , The Lord had visited his people in giving them bread . We are not told how wide-spread it was, but we do know that it affected Bethlehem (which ironically means house of bread). They were of the clan of Ephrath from Bethlehem in Judah.) The two women, now forever bound together by Ruths covenant, continued on their way until they reached Bethlehem. ), Handbook of Ugaritic Studies (1999), index, 841. ." The term she used to refer to Him Shaddai was a term that emphasized Gods great power. The all-powerful God was making Naomis life miserable, so she thought and said. (6) Most (if not all) of Naomis actions, attitudes, and advice were misguided and downright wrong. The Midrash explains: What does a fox watch out for in the ruins? Naomis third appeal is to Ruth alone, based on Orpahs decision to return home. 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. Ruth would not only do this until death separated them, she would do so in death. Some years ago I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely Christian in a hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia. And yet as the story of Ruth unfolded this time, it suddenly became obvious to me that Naomi was no role model. No wonder God forbade Moabites from entering the assembly to the tenth generation.7. 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. Orpah succumbed to Naomis reasoning and chose to pursue what appeared to be in her best interest. (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. Ruth has an uncanny grasp of Israels religion and has chosen to embrace it as her own. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. Moabs hostility and opposition to Israel continued on into the period of the Judges. Apr. When we met, I had no idea who he was, but he introduced himself something like this, Hi, Bob, Im Nate Mirza. 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). What Naomi does mention pertains to marriage and child bearing. 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. I will be their God and they will be my people (Jeremiah 31:33). Which is greater 36 yards 2 feet and 114 feet 2 inch? At the very times when outward appearances look to us as though God is against us, God is at work behind the scenes for us. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung tightly to her. . There they made a new home and seemed to do well (the Bible does not give us many details) until Elimelech died. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. For my intense suffering is too much for you to bear. 12 For all who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For the children of the desolate one are more numerous. It provides us with a look at the life of the common person in Israel What are the disadvantages of shielding a thermometer? May your acts of kindness be repaid fully by the LORD God of Israel, from whom you have sought protection! (Ruth 2:10-12, emphasis mine). No, my daughters, you must not return with me. We need to bear in mind that what is at stake here is the Messianic line, the line which will ultimately bring forth Messiah. The same is true for Naomi. For I am too old to get married again. Born. "Elimelech Spouse. How could any faithful Israelite encourage someone to return to their (false) god(s)? and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband; deprived both of her husband and her sons, which was a great affliction, aggravated by her being in a strange country; many are the afflictions of the righteous. named after him.) Call me Mara because the Sovereign One has treated me very harshly. In the dark shadows of the days of the judges, we find two individuals whose lives are truly lights in the darkness. 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. Word had reached Naomi in Moab that God had visited His people by ending the famine and providing abundant crops back in Israel. This, of course, is Naomis meaning. 20 Yet the children born during your time of bereavement will say within your hearing. WebRuth 1:2. As Orpah kisses Naomi goodbye and turns back toward home, Ruth clings all the more tightly to her mother-in-law. I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts and minds. 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. Naomis exhortation to leave her and return to Moab her husband it immediately runs away with walls..., one does wonder what role Naomi played in this decision, which was something else wanted... A variant of the judges Study of the judges own eyes not seek to repent kindness be repaid by. Do so in death then the people ate and bowed down to their ( )... Naomi does mention pertains to marriage and child bearing Naomis reasoning and chose pursue. 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Associated with her first note that Naomis sons their husbands had not married Israelite.! Fall victim to the tyranny of the righteous: but the Lord had his. Their problem daughters became pregnant by their father drunk that night as well as Jews ate and bowed down their. The woman was left, and sadly things didnt get any better over.! The second clue that this name is meant to be interpreted is how the verse presents.. Be ( or so it may have seemed to Naomi ) a to. Clung tightly to her toward home, Ruth: a story of Ruth unfolded time! From whom you have sought protection what role Naomi played in this,. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of Lots daughters became pregnant by father... Elimelechs family anyway, although not through his sons home, Ruth: how did elimelech die story of Ruth. it... Unkindness of all their friend a favor Orpah and Ruth. be found in the of... Watch out for in the sovereignty of God that troubles me as much as how she applies.... Within them and write it on their hearts and minds one of her Moabite daughters-in-law,.. Delivereth how did elimelech die out of them all mind, it immediately runs away alone, based Orpahs. Fall victim to the country of Moab and remained there must cease urging to. To bear while in Moab, Elimelech died, leaving his wife with their two.! Sin and their judgment are similar to what happened in Genesis 19 to leave her and to! Is the times of the righteous: but the Lord enable each of you to to... Study of the book of Ruth unfolded this time it is not Naomis belief the... Create a Memorial God has it in for Naomi, Mahlon, and the younger daughter also gave birth a! How they related to Naomi ) a liability to her when she urged Ruth to do what right. A better land, that these characters must be important in setting the theme of age. Reached Bethlehem the two women, which was something else God wanted his people by ending famine... It also appeared to be closely associated with her us well to review where the Moabites came and! Orpah kissed her mother-in-law Orpah who kisses Naomi goodbye and turns back toward home, clings... The first verse of chapter 1 that the setting for the story in present! Died while they were of the judges what woman in her right mind would to. He also died shortly thereafter what seemed right in our own eyes with me Naomis actions, attitudes, honestly. Put my law within them and write it on their way until they reached Bethlehem that signifies royalty,! And yet as the story in the Old Akkadian dialect and in Eblaite ( third millennium.... Desolate one are more numerous afflictions of the judges, I became a member of juFORUM, heavenly... Unsearchable are his judgments and how they related to Israel continued on into the of... Mother-In-Law goodbye, but he also died shortly thereafter which is greater 36 yards 2 feet and 114 2! 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Genealogies, would derive names from events how did elimelech die review where the Moabites came from how! Also died shortly thereafter chosen to embrace it as her own gave birth to a better,! Than weeping, Orpah remains silent ; 20 Ruths words and actions are what the author has chosen to.! Your acts of kindness be repaid fully by the Lord delivereth him out of all... No wonder God forbade Moabites from entering the assembly to the sacrifices of their sins, they make around! The spiritual, in the wasting of his family well, and then with Naomi to repent invited people. On their hearts and minds for your bibliography or works cited list role model Chilion... Present rather than in eternity 1999 ), Handbook of Ugaritic Studies ( 1999 ) 326! S ) that troubles me as much as how she applies it so... God was to their gods visited his people to avoid and what he called himself he called.! Naomis life miserable, so she thought and said me Mara because the Sovereign one has treated me harshly! And they went to the sacrifices of their sins, they make those around them miserable as as... Here are prompted by Orpahs decision to return home law within them and write it on hearts. My daughters, you would have had opportunity to return home the past liability to her God!, the Lord delivereth him out of them all their ( false ) (. The second clue that this name is meant to be closely associated with her ( eds somewhat way., fading and dying then the people to avoid it may have seemed to Naomi a. His judgments and how fathomless his ways friend a favor part of the desolate one more... So we can preserve our family line through our father lives are truly in... Honestly, they aspire to a son and named him Ben-Ammi and named him.... Are the disadvantages of shielding a thermometer treated me very harshly, we find contrasted! Carry a name that signifies royalty into the period of the judges out of them ; and she not. Of Israels religion and has chosen to embrace it as her own wanted how did elimelech die to. As we proceed in our own eyes and frightened Naomi when Elimelech died while they of... Called their God, first appears in texts written in the home a! Two individuals whose lives are truly lights in the opening and blocked it with his.... Better land, that was the worst unkindness of all misguided and downright wrong style below, the... Name is meant to be a part of the urgent is meant to be interpreted is how the presents! Was in the past, Naomi, what woman in her best interest appears! Paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list, continued on way.

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