A Story Of Choices

A STORY OF CHOICES

We usually think of the Book of Ruth as a teaching of redemption and love, which it is, but today I want to look at some choices that were made, some good some bad.

Choice 1

Ruth 1:1 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.

2 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.

These two verses tell us that there was a man named Elimelech, who was from Bethlehemjudah. Bethlehemjudah was the house of bread and praise. There came a famine in the land and he decided to take his wife and two sons to Moab. No where is it found that he sought the Lord on this matter, even though Elimelech means God is my King. I think this choice was a bad one for him and his sons.

Ruth1:3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

Was his bad choice the reason he died? I can’t say for sure but if you are where God doesn’t want you to be you are in a dangerous place Next we find his sons taking wives of the Moabites who were enemies of Israel and the Lord and in Deuteronomy 23:3-4 He had said they could not enter into the congregation of the Lord unto the tenth generation or forever.

Choice 2

Ruth 1:4 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.

5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband

Choice 3

Ruth 1:6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.

Naomi heard the famine was over back home and decided to go back. Her daughters in law followed her. She was going home but she had lost a husband and two sons in Moab and she was basically leaving empty handed. But this was a good choice, we know from reading the rest of the story.

Choice 4

Ruth 1:10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

Initially both daughters in law had chosen to follow her, but in the next few verses Naomi discouraged them and urged them to go back.

Choice 5

Ruth1:14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

Ruth chose not to go back but to go with Naomi, while Oprah went back. Ruth said she was willing to lodge where Naomi lodged, Naomi’s people would be her people

and Naomi’s God would be her God. Now that was a good choice. Whether we want to admit it or not every choice you and I make has a consequence. Some good some bad, therefore we need to make the best choice possible. The only way to make the right choices is to seek the Lord’s will in the matter. Too many times we make a bad choice and then want the Lord to clean up our mess, fix the problem, ect. Remember He is a very present help in a time of need, but if you have been digging a hole for yourself and going on and on and you see you’re in a mess, He will come and help you but there will be consequences for your disobedience. Here is a good illustration I read that was written by Lou Nicholes: “When I was in my early twenties, I remember a young man who lived a very wild life. One day he was intoxicated and driving his car down a two-lane highway. It was a hot summer day and he had the windows open and his left arm was sticking out the window on the driver’s side. Because of the influence of the alcohol his car was weaving. When he approached an oncoming car he side-swiped it and the impact took his arm off above his elbow. His life was spared but he had to live the rest of his life with the consequences of not having the use of a left arm and hand. It is true that if we have trusted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour (He will forgive us of any sin we have committed (but we may have to live with some consequences)”

May you choose wisely with the Lord’s guidance.

Have a great day