Truth for today, Pt4

Truth for Today — Studies in Ruth, Pt 4

Scripture: Ruth 1:3-5.

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In last week’s study, we considered how the backsliding of Elimelech and Naomi brought chastening upon their heads. That did not cure them, however, of their backsliding. Backsliding is easier to start than to stop. It brings with it a hardness of heart and conscience, a blindness of mind and soul that renders the backslider stiff-necked and unfeeling and undiscerning of the judgment of God.

The backslider’s heart is epitomised in the parable of the prodigal son, Luke 15:11-32. The worse things became, the further from his father he went. Naomi had been persuaded to leave Judah much easier than she had been to leave Moab!

I. THINGS WILL GROW WORSE FOR THE UNREPENTANT BACKSLIDER.

Let us see that such is true in Naomi’s case. Evidently, Naomi never thought of going back to Judah when her troubles first began. When her husband died, the backsliding continued and deepened.

1. Death entered the home. Her nearest and dearest was taken. He who took her down into Moab is taken from her.

2. Her lot was one of loneliness. “She was left.” She was now on her own and her dreams had turned to ashes.

3. She is left a widow. One whose lot was hardship and want, Deut 24:19-21, Mark 12:42.

II. SHE SAW HER CHILDREN FOLLOW IN HER STEPS.

“And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years,” Ruth 1:4. The most serious of all earthly relationships was entered upon without reference to God and His truth!

1. They married in defiance of God. The Moabites were forbidden entrance to the congregation of Israel. “An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever,” Deuteronomy 23:3. Thus there was a siding with those who had sought to curse Israel, Deut 23:4. This is what happens through backsliding. A wrong view is formed of the world by children through the friendship shown it by their backsliding parents.