Leaving Bethlehem

Leaving Bethlehem

Q: Why did Elimelech move his family to Moab?

• a. There was a flood in his hometown.
• b. There was a famine in his hometown.
• c. There was violence in his hometown.

The book of Ruth takes place during the time of the judges. These were dark days because the people did whatever they wanted rather than follow God’s laws. But during this time there were a few who were loyal to God. Naomi and Ruth were two of them.

The story begins with Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, moving his family from Bethlehem to Moab due to a severe famine in the land. Moab was one of the nations that oppressed the Israelites during the time of the judges. They were a pagan nation, and although the Moabites lived near the Promised Land, the Israelites were discouraged from being friendly with them.

Not only was Moab a pagan nation, but the Moabites were not even allowed to worship at the Tabernacle, because they had refused to let the Israelites pass through their land on the way to the Promised Land.

We don’t know why Elimelech chose to move to Moab to escape the famine. Perhaps Elimelech felt his family stood a better chance of surviving there than in their homeland. Sadly Elimelech died in Moab. His two sons married Moabite women, and then the sons died also. So Elimelech’s move to Moab to save his family failed. Naomi was left in a foreign land with two foreign daughters-in-law.

Elimelech’s family suffered hardship and tragedy, but God chose to work through this to accomplish his will. You can see the plan unfold as you read the book of Ruth.

For You

Sometimes it’s our own choices that bring us hardship, but God can work even through these circumstances. Try to follow God’s leading, but if you mess up, don’t worry. Your mistakes don’t catch God by surprise. He can use even the tough times for his good.

Answer: b

In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him.   Ruth 1:1

(The Whole Story: Ruth 1:1-5)