Monday, October 10, 2022

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.
**********
You may also take the precious "Water of the Word of God" ... that freely provides eternal life ... right now:

● Scroll to the top of this page

● Click on the gift wrapped in
    gold in the left column

● Follow the directions with a     sincere heart ... and you will     eternally belong to Jesus.

1 comment:

Sabine Vlaming said...

Thank you and blessings, dear Kay.
We cling to our Lord, Amen, and look forward to the end of the harvests.
Sabine