Sermon Tone Analysis

Underline Return

That word, in the Hebrew, is mentioned 12 times: Return; turn back.\

Also,

Notice that this is the sixth verse into the narrative.

Who has finally been mentioned?

God

How is God being mentioned?

He is providing a material blessing.

God is only going to be mentioned twice by name in this book.

Interestingly, Naomi only decides to leave upon hearing that God had provided food to the Israelites.

This is the first time, YHWH is mentioned.

And he is being introduced as part of a potential motive for returning to Judah.

Five verses in.

But, it is good to see that YHWH is being identified as be a part of the rumor.

It would be worse if God was not mentioned.

This must indicate that Naomi has some type of religious devotion to YHWH.

Perhaps, she and Elimelech left out of frustration with God or were “backsliding”.

Some people spend their childhood and teens in church, experience the goodness of God, then endure hardship and allow their hardship to dictate their trust and delight in God.

They think “if God isn’t blessing me physically, then perhaps he’s not real or trustworthy”.

Naomi begins the journey back to Yahweh and Israel with her two Moabite daughter-in-laws.

Do you guys remember what we I taught you last week about Israelites giving their children in marriage to neighboring people groups?

What do you think the Israelites might do if they realized Naomi and Alimeleck let their sons marry Moabite women?

Naomi might be have a less than welcoming return.

By saying ”return… to her mother’s house” Naomi seems to have in mind that they rely on their family to find them new husbands.

Mothers had a big part of helping to arrange marriages.

But, this idea for them to “RETURN” is not the norm in their culture.

Some near East cultures would consider this a life sentence to widowhood because these women would not be as suitable to marry because they had had sexual relations with their former spouse.

In reality, Ruth and or Orpa’s greatest chance for finding a husbands is back with Ruth in Bethlehem.

Because of the kinsman redeemer laws.

Not only that, Ruth is also encouraging these women to go back into a religious setting where the god the people serve accepts and even expects human sacrifice.

What kind of a Jew would encourage that?

Naomi has the appearance of being spiritual right here.

“Oh, may God provide for you.”

In reality, Naomi is revealing that she has little faith in God to provide for her Daughter in laws

Underline Bitter

This is Naomi’s true state right now.

Probably happened long before she even lost her husband.

The reality Is that Naomi was doubting God’s faithfulness from the beginning of this story.

She left Bethlehem with her husband to carve out their own path instead of trusting the God her grandparents witnessed part the seas!

This is just like many of us…

We are directly talking about Naomi not believing that God can provide husbands for her two widowed daughter-in-laws…

Even though y’all are young, I’m sure your thinking like I did in High School… “Will I ever find someone to share my life with?

Have you thought that?

Even though Naomi is doubting God’s provision and faithfulness for her girls… She is also doubting God’s provision for herself…

Ruth and Orpah are Naomi’s last hope to find security and provision from a future male heir.

MAIN QUESTION

Do you trust God to provide the best thing for you in His time and in His manner?

This is exactly what Naomi didn’t do and exactly what has led her to be in this foreign land bitter to the bone!

But what about Ruth and Orpah…

It took three pleas from Naomi to get Ruth and Orpah to consider turning back seriously

Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye!

Orpah proves to be the less committed one.

Though she likely did love Naomi.

Marriage, then, meant the complete joining of two people.

In this time the woman would adopt the family, customs, and god of her husband.

This statement indicates that Naomi knew how serious it was for her to tell Ruth and Orpah to return to Moab.

She was essentially saying ” Renounce me, renounce your dead husband, renounce our people and you’re joining to us, renounce our customs, renounce your claim to our inheritance, and most importantly renounce your covenant to us and to our God!”

This isn’t just a simple “you do you boo”.

This was a complete cut off and turning away from oaths that were made years ago.

A complete cut off of bonds that were formed through fire.

Marriage isn’t just about romance, companionship, and sex.

Marriage, by God’s design is about covenantal commitment.

Sticking with your spouse, with their family, with your oaths as long as they haven’t broken it in someway.

I’m not sure if you guys and girls in HIgh School understand that or are ready for that.

In the time of Ruth, there were expectations and customs that would prevent Naomi’s plea from happening.

This is a big big deal right here.

This is what is called “Ruth’s Conversion and Profession of Faith”...

Ruth essentially takes on the oath that God first gave to Moses when he called him and Israel out of Egypt.

Instead of renouncing Naomi and YHWH, Ruth is renouncing her Moabite heritage and gods.

She is truly loosing the world to gain her soul.

Orpah turned back towards Moab At the prospect of finding a new husband.

Ruth, on the other hand, refused to pursue a husband back home in Moab.

Ruth clung to her original covenant and commitment to her dead husband’s family.

How many of us would have chosen to pursue our own prosperity and pleasure.

No one wants to be alone.

Most everyone wants to be married or find a spouse.

It takes great courage, discipline, and faith to pursue that which may not bring prosperity or pleasure.

Ruth is being told by Naomi “YOU HAVE ZERO HOPE FOR A HUSBAND WITH ME.” Which was a lie!!!

I guarantee everyone in this room deeply desires to have some type of companionship.

But what good is companionship without character and integrity.

Ruth proves herself to possess great faith and great character.

You might desire to find a relationship right now and feel the pleasure of having companionship.

But do you realize that developing convictional character and possessing the ability to look to the needs of others before your own is more valuable in eternity.

In reality, it’s more valuable in the here and now too..

Sometimes, this convictional character is punished...

Literally.

She stopped talking to her...

Well… Just as we predicted...

Bethlehem has taken notice to Naomi’s return!

“Isn’t that Naomi!? What happened to her?

Where is Elimelech?

Where are her sons!? Who’s that Moabite with her!?”

Naomi insists they call her “Bitter” because she is bitter!

Rather than her heart soften from the Lord’s discipline and reaping what her and Elimelech have sown, she rages against God.

She settles in her anger and backsliding...

This is such a dangerous place to be.

She is blaming God for her choices and their consequences.

Lessons

Marriage and relationships are not just about your needs, desires, and dreams...

Marriage is a covenant that should be taken seriously.