Rut 1:1-2 | MHM | STEP | Elimelech and Naomi; Death of Elimelech and His Sons. This story takes place during the time when the judges ruled over Israel . The exact judge ruling at this time is not named. Some think it was during the days of Ehud, Deborah, or Gideon, because there was a famine during Gideon’s time (Judges 6:3–4 ). The events are important because they focus on Bethlehem, the future birthplace of the Messiah, and show how God used people outside Israel—like Rahab and Ruth—in His plan. v. 1 : There was a famine in the land of Canaan, a land known as one flowing with milk and honey (Leviticus 26:19–20 ). God had warned that famine would come as a punishment for sin. Even Bethlehem, which means the house of bread , had no food. Sometimes, a fruitful land is turned into barrenness to teach people to depend on God and not take blessings for granted. Elimelech decided to take his family to live in Moab, across the Jordan River, because there was food there (Ruth 1:1–2 ). Sometimes, God gives good things to people who do not know Him, while His own people go through hard times (Jeremiah 48:11 ). Elimelech wanted to provide for his family, which is a good thing (1 Timothy 5:8 ). He did not leave his wife and sons behind but took them with him. However, it was not right for him to leave the land God had given to Israel and go live among the Moabites. If he was in need, the law said his neighbors should help him (Leviticus 25:35 ), but it seems he left because he was not content with less. God wants us to trust Him and not run away from every problem. If everyone left like Elimelech, Israel would have been empty. It is better to stay where God has placed us and trust Him through hard times.

‏ Ruth 1:1-2

Elimelech and Naomi; Death of Elimelech and His Sons.

This story takes place during the time when the judges ruled over Israel . The exact judge ruling at this time is not named. Some think it was during the days of Ehud, Deborah, or Gideon, because there was a famine during Gideon’s time (Judges 6:3–4 ^a). The events are important because they focus on Bethlehem, the future birthplace of the Messiah, and show how God used people outside Israel—like Rahab and Ruth—in His plan.

v. 1: There was a famine in the land of Canaan, a land known as one flowing with milk and honey (Leviticus 26:19–20 ^b). God had warned that famine would come as a punishment for sin. Even Bethlehem, which means the house of bread, had no food. Sometimes, a fruitful land is turned into barrenness to teach people to depend on God and not take blessings for granted. Elimelech decided to take his family to live in Moab, across the Jordan River, because there was food there (Ruth 1:1–2 ^c). Sometimes, God gives good things to people who do not know Him, while His own people go through hard times (Jeremiah 48:11 ^d). Elimelech wanted to provide for his family, which is a good thing (1 Timothy 5:8 ^e). He did not leave his wife and sons behind but took them with him. However, it was not right for him to leave the land God had given to Israel and go live among the Moabites. If he was in need, the law said his neighbors should help him (Leviticus 25:35 ^f), but it seems he left because he was not content with less. God wants us to trust Him and not run away from every problem. If everyone left like Elimelech, Israel would have been empty. It is better to stay where God has placed us and trust Him through hard times.

v. 2: One family from Bethlehem, led by Elimelech, suffered during the famine. His name means my God is king, which fit Israel’s situation because the Lord was their true king. His wife’s name was Naomi, which means pleasant. Their sons were Mahlon and Chilion, whose names mean sickness and consumption, perhaps because they were weak children. Even in the best families, there can be trouble and sadness. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah, and they entered the land of Moab and settled there . This move was significant because it took them away from the land of promise to live among the Moabites, a people often hostile to Israel. The family’s decision to leave Bethlehem, the "house of bread," during a famine highlights the challenges of trusting God in difficult times.