Truth for today, Pt6

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Scripture: 1:6-18.

The next section of this chapter deals with Naomi’s return home to Judah. This portion reminds us very much of the story of the prodigal son. “I will arise and go to my father, ” Luke 15:18. “Then she arose,” Ruth 1:6. In both stories, bread is the motive for returning.
Bread, that simple basis of life, is what proves all-important to men in the final analysis. There is something more important to man’s eternal well-being than all the “far countries” of the world can supply. It is the “Bread of Life.” The soul and its eternal comfort should take precedence over all things. Ultimately all men shall realise that. Naomi heard that “the LORD had visited his people,” verse 6.

In Moab she and her family had forfeited the Lord’s “visits.” It was a visit of mercy. She and her family had been visited with chastening while in Moab. If she was to enjoy mercy, then she must return to Judah and to Bethlehem, the “house of bread.”

I. THE MESSAGE THAT NAOMI HEARD
“She had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.”

1. God can reach His people with His Word. Even into Moab.

2. The state Naomi was in when she heard. Widowhood, want and woe.

3. The contents of the message. “Visited” What a difference a visit from God makes. Luke 1:68; 78-79. It is a “sunrising” — Luke 1:78. Darkness and fear goes, (Exodus 1:14 — same as Ruth 1:20). Life, joy and peace floods in. Luke 1:79, 2:14, 2:29, Rom 5:1.
Bitterness (verse 20) same as future Israel will experience, Zech 12:10.

4. It was news of a gift. “Giving them bread.” How free is the gift of salvation? Genesis 1:17. As free as sunlight and starlight.