Come Home for Christmas
Monday, December 4, 2006
My Prayer Today
Dear God, I acknowledge that You are all-sufficient and capable of doing anything! You have complete power over this world and my life. I know that You can do so many things that are beyond my ability to think or imagine. I ask Father that You will guide me as I walk with You each day. I ask You show me the path and help me establish Your kingdom and purposes on earth. I want You to receive glory from my life. I ask this in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, Amen.
God’s Word Today
Ruth 1:1-5
1 In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a man from Bethlehem in Judah left the country because of a severe famine. He took his wife and two sons and went to live in the country of Moab. 2 The man's name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. During their stay in Moab, 3 Elimelech died and Naomi was left with her two sons. 4 The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her husband or sons.
Reflecting on God’s Word
Over the next three days, we are going to read about a family who took a short cut that led to a dead-end. They cut corners on an important decision – and had to pay the consequences.
Some background on the Book of Ruth: Ruth is a dramatic story, told in six scenes. The book contains some powerful and important truths to teach us about God, grace, ourselves.
What does the Scripture tell us about Elimelech?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
Where did Elimelech’s family live?
It is worth noting that the family lived on land given to them by God – they were living in the Promised Land. Ruth takes place after Joshua led the people out of the wilderness and into the land promised to them by God.
What is the time period of the Book of Ruth? (See verse 1).
The Book of Judges describes the time the Hebrews (Israelites) begin to settle in the Promised Land. Read Judges 17:6: In those days Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.
During the time Ruth was written, Israel had no leader – no king or queen. The people were governed by a series of “judges” who God would raise up from time to time. The judges were more warriors than statesmen or rulers.
From what we read in Judges, why do you think Elimelech decided to move his family?
From what we read in Ruth 1:1, what was a second reason for the family to move?
From Ruth 1:2, what was a third reason for the family to move?
Ephrathites were the aristocracy in Bethlehem. In times of political uncertainty and famine, the aristocracy can sometimes be the focus of the blame for everyone’s problems. Perhaps it was wise for the family to leave town!
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
From reading other Scriptures and from your understanding of God’s plan for His children, what is God’s purpose for families?
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
Read Ruth 1:1 from the NIV: 1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
How long did the family plan to stay in Moab?
The Hebrew word for “a while” means a sojourn – a short, temporary stay. The family was not planning on sinking roots in Moab.
Where does God desire His families to sink roots – to abide?
Thoughts
Years ago a man spent most of his spare time planting trees. The man seldom watered the young trees because he thought that too much watering spoiled them. (He came from the "no pain, no gain" school of plant care!) Pampered trees, he said, made for shallow roots, and deep roots were something to be treasured.
Today, when you walk by the old place and look at the trees that were planted 25 years earlier you can that they're rugged, strong, and durable. Tall and tough. Adversity and deprivation seem to have benefited them in ways that being sheltered and pampered couldn't.
We may want to take this example and think about the way we pray for our families and friends. Do we pray that God will spare them from hardship? Perhaps we need to echo the prayer of the Apostle Paul (Ephesians 3:14-19) and ask that their roots will go down deep into the love of God – that they will experience a close relationship with him – that they will grow up sturdy and strong. When the winds of adversity blow, they won’t be swept away but will stand tall as a testimony of faith.
Deep roots are something to be treasured. How deep are your roots with God?