Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

C.I.: Where is the Love of God When a Family Dies

Last week we began a series of lessons from the book of Ruth. - During those days (like today) – we saw a cycle (cf. Judges). – Yet this was done out of God’s love for His people. – Today we will continue with Ruth.

I. Hard Lessons Behind Three Graves in Moab (Ruth 1)

A. What’s in a Name (verses 1-5)

1. (Ruth 1:1-2), “Now it came about… And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and two sons. – And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his sons were Mahlon and Chilion.”
a. Frequently the names found in the Bible have a spiritual significance.
1) (Gen. 17:5), “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I will make you a father of a multitude of nations.”
2) (Matt. 1:23), “Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, they shall call….”
3) Elimelech = God is King (high hopes); Naomi = Pleasant; Mahlon = Sick; Chilion = Pining

2. (Ruth 1:3-5), “Then ‘My God is King’, ‘Pleasant’s’ husband died; and she was left with her two sons. – And they took for themselves Moabite women as wives; - and the name of one was Orpah and the name of the other was Ruth. – And they lived there about 10 years. – Then both ‘Sick’ and ‘Pining’ died; and ‘Pleasant’ was bereft of her two children and her husband.”
a. The names of the two Moabite women: Orpah = Stubbornness; Ruth = Friend/Companion.

3. So often death seems to be nothing more than a cosmic lottery – your number comes up?!
a. This happened because - My God is King did not live up to his name – but left his God, His people, His land – and lived among the pagans!
1) (Num. 32:23), “…and be sure your sin will find you out.”
2) Mahlon & Chilion did not learn from what happened to their father – so they shared his fate.
3) (Ex. 20:5-6), “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the 3rd & 4th generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me & keep My commandments.”

b. Elimelech, in striving to meet his family’s physical needs, – left his God, God’s people and God’s land – and found only death in the land to which he went.
1) (Phil. 4:11-13), “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am…!”
2) Today – Jesus promises us… (Matt. 6:33)!!!

B. After the Funeral, now what… (verses 6-18)

1. A Time to Return to God (vs. 6)
a. (Ruth 1:6-7), “Then Pleasant arose with Stubbornness & Companion that she might return from the land of Moab, - for she had heard that the Lord had visited His people in giving them food.”
b. The road back to God often seems up hill (indeed, the way away from Him is much easier)!
1) My God is King had left the land & people of God - now his widow is forced to make the trip
2) God’s promise - (Mal. 3:7), “‘Return to Me and I will return to you,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

2. A Time to Return to Family (vs. 8-14)
a. (Ruth 1:8, 14), “And Pleasant said to Stubbornness & Companion, ‘Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. – May the Lord deal kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead and with me
b. Each of them had lost a husband – Naomi, Orpah and Ruth – Naomi’s concern was for their youth
1) They were both young enough to remarry. – Naomi knew her time for marriage/childbearing...
2) Thus, they had the choice to stay with their family in the midst of this time of pain – or to go look for greener pastures!
3) So how do you believe “Stubbornness” (Orpah) & “Companion” (Ruth) received these words?
c. (v. 14), “They lifted up their voices and wept; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.”
1) “Love” is more than a kiss – For this was a farewell kiss to Naomi from Orpah.
2) “Love” is sticking together– when times get tough!
3) “Adversity does NOT produce character – it REVEALS it!”
d. Which characterizes our love? – Sentimental words/acts – or deeds that show we really care?
1) (Quote Jms. 1:27; I Jn. 3:16-18), “This is pure & undefiled… - We know love by this… whoever has the world’s goods and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart….”

3. A Time to Return to Ministry (vs. 15-18)
a. True ministry is a combination of the previous two thoughts (God & People):
b. (Ruth 1:15-18), “Then Pleasant said, ‘Behold, Stubbornness has gone back to her people and to her gods; - return after your sister-in-law.’ – But Companion said, ‘Do not urge me to leave or to turn back from following you; - for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. – Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.’”
c. Ruth now chooses Naomi’s God as her own & She makes Naomi’s people her family!
1) This is how we know when we are involved in “Ministry”! – EXAMPLES…
(i) Sunday Evening for the Savior (care for God’s people and the mission of God!)
(ii) L.I.F.E. Groups: Love one another unconditionally, Accept each other…, Grow…!”
(iii) Time would fail if I spoke completely about Ladies Ministry, Children’s Ministry, Youth & College Group Ministry, Seniors and Facilities…!
d. There is a time after a death – when we should expect God’s people to rise up to meet our needs.
e. Then there also comes a time – when we should begin again being useful servants for the Master!

CONCLUSIONS:
What is in a name? (I Pt. 4:16), “If anyone suffers as a Xn, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name…!”
We may not see God’s plan, - but we know He has a purpose – (Romans 8:28).
The Purpose of God: (quote Lk. 19:10; Mk. 16:16)!