Ruth 1:1-5
The author of the Book of Ruth opens up this narrative to the time of the Judges in Israel. Signaling to the immorality and idolatry of God's covenant people. The LORD, in retribution, would send foreign invaders, pestilence, or famine to curse His people. This family doesn't believe God will relent. Elimelech doesn't ask God for mercy, he doesn't spur his neighbors on to repentance, he is a picture of a faithless man. Instead, Elimelech intends to leave the place of his inheritance, the place of covenant, and the place where God's presence dwells. Moab would sacrifice their children, commit ritualistic sex orgies, and false worship of all types. This was the nation that begun from Lot's incest with his daughter; the nation that tried to stop Israel from going into the Promised Land; and the nation that sought to destroy the people of God. To go to Moab and leave Israel is to put their faith in elsewhere. Sin always promises the grass is greener but this resulted in death. Elimelech died and Naomi had to rely on her two sons. But instead of taking the road back home, to repent and return, they stayed in Moab. And worse, Mahlon and Chillian compounded their father's sin by taking Moabite wives, which was specifically against God's law. Their sin gave them a sense of stability for 10 years (which is possible but never lasting). However, God never blessed their wives' wombs in 10 years. Not just famine, but barrenness and death were present. Mahlon and Killian also died. Tragedy had struck. All three women became widows. Where will they go from here? What road will they take now? In this sermon, Pastor Wades argues the Christian can always return home. He can always repent and go back to the road of the Christian life.