Don't Cut and Run Because of Challenges
In the days when the judges ruled, there was famine in the land. So, a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.
Now Elimelek, Naomi's husband died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.
When Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of His people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. Ruth 1:1-6
Now Elimelek, Naomi's husband died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.
When Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of His people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. Ruth 1:1-6
Moab was not exactly the best place for an Israelite to live, given the dynamics of the spiritual history between Israel and Moab. It was the king of Moab, Balak, who hired the false prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites. God actually said concerning Moab, "No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, not even in the tenth generation. For they did not come to meet you with bread and water on your way when you came out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam, son of Beor from Pethor in Aram Naharaim to pronounce a curse on you." (Deuteronomy. 23:3-4)
God had promised to bless his people if they were obedient to Him (Deut. 28). Due to a famine in Israel, Elimelek took his family to live in the country of Moab. Leaving the Promised Land to sojourn in a land about which the LORD had pronounced judgment was a rather questionable move. Elimelech made the move for purely economic reasons. He was hoping to find greener pastures but things turned out quite differently. He lost his life, along with his two sons, in the land that was meant to be a haven of rest and prosperity. His wife, Naomi, returned to the land of Israel empty-handed after she heard that the LORD had come to the aid of His people.
There is a lesson to be learned: We should never cut and run from our "Promised Land" just because things are difficult. No matter what the case may be, we must stay unless the LORD clearly directs us to do otherwise. God can bless us even in a time of drought if we follow his instructions. That is exactly what God did for Isaac. God said to Isaac during a time of famine, "Do not go down to Egypt, but do as I tell you . . . and I will be with you and bless you."
. . . When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the LORD blessed him. (Genesis 26:2, 12 NLT).
The amazing thing is that in spite of all the pain and emptiness she experienced in the country of Moab, God graciously blessed Naomi when she returned to the Promised Land! It is never a good thing to cut and run from where God has planted you unless He so directs.
God had promised to bless his people if they were obedient to Him (Deut. 28). Due to a famine in Israel, Elimelek took his family to live in the country of Moab. Leaving the Promised Land to sojourn in a land about which the LORD had pronounced judgment was a rather questionable move. Elimelech made the move for purely economic reasons. He was hoping to find greener pastures but things turned out quite differently. He lost his life, along with his two sons, in the land that was meant to be a haven of rest and prosperity. His wife, Naomi, returned to the land of Israel empty-handed after she heard that the LORD had come to the aid of His people.
There is a lesson to be learned: We should never cut and run from our "Promised Land" just because things are difficult. No matter what the case may be, we must stay unless the LORD clearly directs us to do otherwise. God can bless us even in a time of drought if we follow his instructions. That is exactly what God did for Isaac. God said to Isaac during a time of famine, "Do not go down to Egypt, but do as I tell you . . . and I will be with you and bless you."
. . . When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the LORD blessed him. (Genesis 26:2, 12 NLT).
The amazing thing is that in spite of all the pain and emptiness she experienced in the country of Moab, God graciously blessed Naomi when she returned to the Promised Land! It is never a good thing to cut and run from where God has planted you unless He so directs.
Prayer: Father, I know things can be challenging in my "Promised Land" but help me not to cut and run because of the challenges. Help me to wait upon you because in due time, the drought is bound to end. Amen.