Ruth..Painful..Prophetic Placement

(Originally posted July 9, 2019)

And

they lifted up

their voice,

and

wept again:

and

Orpah kissed

her mother in law;

BUT 

Ruth clave

unto her.

-Ruth 1:14

Introduction...

The life ... and journey ... of Ruth carries lessons of pain ... multiplied suffering ... sorrow ... loyalty ... spiritual unity ... hardship ... self-sacrifice ... deep respect ... generosity ... gratitude ... amazing love ... and prophetic placement ... all designed by our Father ... to bring eternal salvation into a sinful self-destructing world.

Today's false prosperity "gospel"... promotes the notion that ... if we have "faith" and are "living right" ... we should be "perpetually blessed"

... so if we happen to experience any troubles ... it is considered evidence of wrong choices or some unrepented sin lingering in one's life.

Thankfully ... this presumptuous "doctrine" is quickly waning ...as we see darkness encroaching more boldly across the world ... motivating professing Christians to take a deeper look into God's Word ... as they struggle to get out from under unfounded guilt and religious persecution ... to determine the real reason they are not being "perpetually blessed."

Ruth's devastating circumstances stand right along-side Job's ... begging an explanation regarding the real reason our Father allows pain and tribulations to cause our life to come to a painfully screeching halt.

Nevertheless ... true ... we are still human and the Word of God verifies that the "heart is deceitful"... so it is wise to begin with the possibility that correction is coming as a result of sin

... therefore needs to be considered first and dealt with ... if required.

Then ... after checking sin off the list ... we are free to consider ... other possibilities ... such as the possibility that ... like Ruth ... our Father may also be preparing us ... for a new assignment

... by uprooting ... spiritually educating us ... in the "hands-on" ..."school of hard knocks"... for the purpose of eventual placement into a new environment where we can be of greater service to Him ... fulfilling His bigger plan for us.

So let's take a closer look at the details of Ruth's afflictions ... as God directs her steps for new "placement"...

1

Now it came to pass

in the days

when the judges ruled,

that there was

a famine in the land.

And

a certain man

of Bethlehemjudah

went to sojourn

in the country of Moab,

he, and his wife,

and

his two sons.

First ... even before Ruth is mentioned ... we discover that God ... alone ... has brought about circumstances ... a famine ... in the land ... that has caused this family to relocate ... beginning the journey our Father has carefully designed.

As we consider the hand of God in this matter ... it is very helpful to look back ... to the initial cause ... of our own painful trek through the dark wilderness.

Sometimes Our Father sets the stage for our specific journey ... even before we are born ... and/or ... it all begins as a result of something we actually did right this time 😊

... but was something that others did not like ... or ... something others thought was wrong or impossible ... because it happened to be outside of their limited personal experiences ... or ... their incomplete biblical frame of reference. 

However ... often God will allow us to see that the beginning of our painful journey was clearly initiated by Him.

In any case ... this information can become an important piece of the puzzle ... when asking ... "How did I ever end up here?"

2

And

the name of the man

was Elimelech,

and

the name of his wife Naomi,

and

the name of his two sons

Mahlon and Chilion,

Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah.

And

they came into the country

of Moab,

and

continued there.

God has chosen to use Elimelech and Naomi's family to bring Ruth into her journey.

Sometimes God uses our family to put us on the road He wants us to take ... Sometimes through good associations ... sometimes through not so good associations ... whatever God decides is the most spiritually educational route for us to take.

This is usually where the pain can begin. 

3

And

Elimelech Naomi's husband died;

and

she was left,

and

her two sons.

Yes ... definitely ... here is where the pain begins.

Naomi has lost her husband ... now depending on her two sons to carry all of the responsibilities.

4

And

they took them wives

of the women of Moab;

the name of the one was Orpah,

and

the name of the other Ruth:

and

they dwelled there

about ten years.

The sons decide to marry ... perhaps as a way to also help their aging mother ... and relieve some of their own responsibilities ... a wise choice ... to keep the family functioning efficiently.

5

And

Mahlon and Chilion died

also both of them;

and

the woman was left

of her two sons

and

her husband.

Then pain intensifies ... but ... at the same time ... is also buffered ... when Naomi's two sons suddenly die

... causing Ruth to enter Naomi's pain ... creating a unique bond through the mutual pain of losing these significant members of their family.

During times of suffering ... as in Ruth's case ... our Father often brings someone else into our life ... maybe just one other person ... who also knows what this type of attack feels like ... someone to keep us from having to bear the full force of the pain all alone.

Naomi instantly became this person for Ruth

... and Ruth became this person for Naomi.

Unfortunately ... especially today when compassion and natural affection are fading ... it is very difficult to find others who have taken mutual journeys such as this

... so if we have found even one person willing to draw close to us ... someone who really understands our pain ... consider it a great and merciful blessing from God

... and we should strive to also be that helpful ... encouraging person for others ... since we are commanded to love ... as we would like to be loved.♡

6

Then she arose

with her daughters in law,

that she might return

from the country of Moab:

for she had heard

in the country of Moab

how that the LORD

had visited his people

in giving them bread.

God intervenes again ... providing His people in Naomi's homeland ... with food ... once more

... so Naomi begins to make plans to return to Bethlehem ... this time making it a real "feet on the ground"... literal trek ... down the open road ... type of journey.

7

Wherefore

she went forth

out of the place

where she was,

and

her two daughters in law

with her;

and

they went on the way to return

unto the land of Judah.

Naomi ... and her two daughters-in-law begin the journey to the land of Judah.

But it seems Naomi has second thoughts about taking her daughters-in-law with her.

Maybe she has been considering their families left behind ... or ... wondering how these young women will accept ... and be accepted ... by God's people when they arrive in her homeland.

8

And

Naomi said unto

her two daughters in law,

Go, return each to
her mother's house:

the LORD
deal kindly with you,

as ye have dealt
with the dead,

and

with me.

So Naomi tells the women to go back to their families.

9

The LORD grant you

that ye may find rest,

each of you

in the house

of her husband.

Then

she kissed them;

and

they lifted up
their voice,

and

wept.

10

And

they said unto her,

Surely we will return

with thee
unto thy people.

This is a heart-wrenching scene ... tears flowing ... as they consider breaking the emotional bonds they have come to enjoy over time ... so they persist in accompanying Naomi.

11

And

Naomi said,

Turn again, my daughters:

why will ye go with me?

are there yet

any more sons in my womb,

that they

may be your husbands?

12

Turn again, my daughters,

go your way;

for I am too old

to have an husband.

If I should say, I have hope,

if I should have an husband

also to night,

and

should also bear sons;

13

Would ye tarry for them

till they were grown?

would ye stay for them 

from having husbands?

nay, my daughters;

for it grieveth me much

for your sakes

that the hand of the LORD

is gone out against me.

Naomi unselfishly thinks of their future ... they no longer have a real family ... there is still time for them to marry and get on with their lives.

Once more ... she urges them to turn back.

14

And

they lifted up their voice,

and

wept again:

and

Orpah kissed
her mother in law;

BUT

Ruth clave unto her.

The women cry again at the thought of separating from Naomi.

This time ... Orpah resigns to return ... and kisses Naomi good-bye

... BUT ... Ruth clings to Naomi refusing to release the deep ... heart-felt bonds that have been firmly established by God.

15

And

she said, Behold,

thy sister in law

is gone back

unto her people,

and

unto her gods:

return thou after

thy sister in law.

16

And

Ruth said,

Intreat me not
to leave thee,

or

to return from

following after thee:

for whither thou goest,

I will go;

and

where thou lodgest, 

I will lodge:

thy people shall be

my people,

and

thy God my God:

Deep ... in Ruth's heart she knows that ... whatever the cost ... she is not able to separate herself from Naomi ... this bond of love ... that cannot be broken ... comes from outside of herself ... from the Creator of all that exists ... the one and only true God.

At this point ... Ruth has forsaken her pagan gods ... embraced the God of Israel ... spiritually bonded with Naomi ... the one she now sees as her spiritual mother and sister ... and is ready to do whatever it takes to preserve these God-given bonds.

17

Where thou diest,

will I die,

and

there will I be buried:

the LORD do so to me,

and

more also, if ought but death

part thee and me.

18

When she saw that

she was stedfastly minded

to go with her,

then she left speaking
unto her.

Naomi realizes that it is useless to persist any longer ... so silently continues to move toward their destination ... absorbed in her own pain ... not yet able to see how God was orchestrating a much larger plan than either of them could comprehend at that moment.

19

So they two went

until they came to Bethlehem.

And

it came to pass,

when they were come

to Bethlehem,
that all the city

was moved about them,

and they said,

Is this Naomi?

20

And

she said unto them, 

Call me not Naomi,

call me Mara:

for the Almighty hath dealt

very bitterly with me.

When they arrived in Bethlehem ... the people wondered at the sight of them ... asking if this could be Naomi.

Because all Naomi could focus on ... at that moment was ... her pain and afflictions ... she replied, "call me Mara."

"Mara"... meaning "bitter."

21

I went out full,

and

the LORD hath brought me

home again empty:

why then call ye me Naomi,

seeing the LORD

hath testified against me,

and the Almighty

hath afflicted me?

Like so many of us ... when afflicted ... Naomi does not yet see any blessing coming from this experience ... still grieving over her losses

... accusing God of damaging her reputation ... and punishing her with the afflictions she has had to endure

... not able to understand what on earth He is doing to her ... even admitting that this lack of understanding has now caused her to become bitter.

22

So Naomi returned,

and

Ruth the Moabitess,

her daughter in law, with her,

which returned

out of the country of Moab:

and they came to Bethlehem

in the beginning

of barley harvest.

Though it may appear ... God has testified against Naomi

... thankfully ... He really is not finished yet😊

... but intends to complete His testimony concerning Naomi and Ruth ... by bringing into existence ... the greatest gift the world has ever seen

... through Naomi's family
... through Ruth.

Following is the rest of God's plan ... found in the last chapter of the Book of Ruth ... providing the reason for all of the pain

... that led to Ruth's prophetic placement.

First ... Ruth met Boaz:

Ruth 4:

13

So Boaz took Ruth,

and

she was his wife:

and

when he went in unto her,

the LORD gave her conception,

and

she bare a son.

... And ... what was so special about this son?

14

And

the women said

unto Naomi,

Blessed be the LORD,

which hath not left thee

this day

without a kinsman, 

that his name

may be famous

in Israel.

15

And

he shall be unto thee

a restorer of thy life,

and

a nourisher

of thine old age:

for thy daughter in law,

which loveth thee,

which is better to thee

than seven sons,

hath born him.

16

And

Naomi took the child,

and

laid it in her bosom,

and

became nurse unto it.

17

And

the women her neighbours

gave it a name, saying,

There is a son born to Naomi;

and

they called his name Obed:

he is the father of Jesse,

the father of David.

They Called His Name

...Obed...

Jesus, Himself ... testifies to the amazing importance surrounding the birth of Obed.

This can be seen right in this baby's name ... which means ..."to serve God"... "one who carries out God's intention/God's will"... all according to God's specific plan

... as He assigns "placement" in the world ... each of us exactly where He wants us to be ... serving Him at the specific time in history required.

Revelation 22:

16

I Jesus

have sent mine angel

to testify unto you

these things

in the churches.

I am the root

and

the offspring of David,

and

the bright

and

morning star.

17

And

the Spirit

and

the bride

say, Come.

And

let him that heareth

say, Come.

And

let him

that is athirst come.

And

whosoever will,

let him take

the water of life freely.

It was Ruth's ... God-ordained ... painful situation ... that motivated her to love and cling to Naomi 

... eagerly embracing the God of Israel ... the One who gave them each other ... and the faith ... to make the journey together ... to Bethlehem

... establishing "placement" of Ruth ... so she would eventually marry Boaz ... who would father Obed ... whose line would bring forth David

... and ... the Lord of lords

... and ... King of kings

... Jesus Christ

... Who would embody the "Water of Life"... redeeming multitudes out of this dark world ... providing freedom from sin ... a Heavenly home ... and loving family for eternity ... all in the presence of ... and safely under ... the authority of ... our glorious Saviour and Lord, Jesus
Christ.

**********

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