You must not have any other god but Me.
You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them.
For I the Lord your God am a jealous God. Who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.
I lay the sins of the parents upon their children. The entire family is affected— even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.
The time of judges was a turbulent and chaotic era in Hebraic history. The Hebrews spiritual disobedience kept them immersed in a vicious cycle. Always beginning with idolatry, sin and oppression. Followed by repentance, deliverance and temporary peace.
They refused to acknowledge that God is not mocked. A person will harvest what they plant. Those who plant only for their own benefit will harvest devastation from their selfishness. But those who plant for the benefit of the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:7-8
Despite the Hebrews rebellion the Lord remained faithful. Continually sending judges. These bold and courageous leaders lead His wayward children back into fellowship with Him.
Believing two gods were better than the one and only true God. Many Hebrews also worshipped pagan gods such as Chemosh. Which may have precipitated the initial events in the book of Ruth.
There was a famine in the land. A man left Bethlehem in Judah with his wife and two sons to live in the land of Moab for a while. The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife’s name was Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They entered the land of Moab and settled there.
Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons. Her sons took Moabite women as their wives. One was named Orpah, and the second was named Ruth. After they lived in Moab about 10 years. Both Mahlon and Chilion also died. Naomi was left without her two children and without her husband. Ruth 1:1-5
Why did Elimelech move his family from the Promise Land?
Did the grass look greener on the other side? Even though Israel was in the midst of a severe famine. Moab had not been affected.
Attempting to preserve his dwindling portfolio. Elimelech decided to live in a heathen nation until things improved back at home. Convincing himself if he went to Moab. He and his family would see no war or be hungry for bread.
Elimelech chose to ignore the Lord’s promise. If you will stay in this land, then I will build you up and not tear you down. I will plant you and not uproot you for I will relent concerning the calamity that I have inflicted on you. Jeremiah 42:10
Disregarding the promises of God during a season of drought and famine. A time when God appears uninvolved, unconcerned and unsympathetic.
Elimelech was more concerned with self-preservation than transformation. He failed to use this wilderness experience as an opportunity for intimate, prolonged communion with the Lord.
Communion that sanctifies— cleanses your heart. Exposing possessions, paradigms and people that will hinder or neutralize your Kingdom destiny.
Once revealed can be modified or removed. Thus strengthening your heart so it not only discerns but also is impervious to satan’s fiery darts.
All which solidifies your allegiance to the Lord. Making a life devoid of His presence and will unthinkable and unbearable.
Transforming you into a devout disciple of Jesus.
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