Truth for Today — Studies in Ruth, The Prologue, 1:1-2. (Part 2)
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“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. 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.”
II. IT WAS A TIME OF DISPLEASURE
1. Such disorder and defiance displeased the Lord. That is obvious from just one word — FAMINE. Israel was a land of plenty. The promise to the patriarchs — “Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine,” Gen 27:28. Famine was a judgment, Lev 26:14-27.
2. God’s displeasure will be manifested toward His people because of sin. His threats are real not mere bluster. Famine afflicts all. It reminds us that our sins will have an impact upon our children! Exodus 20:5, Num 11:1, 2 Sam 11:27, 2 Chron 29:6-9; 34:19-21.
3. The displeasure and its consequences will continue until repentance. Famine is a lasting plague. Man cannot end it, Mark 4:27, Matt 6:27.