1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. Ruth 1:1-2 (NIV) Judges: Dark times of rebellion against the Lord. Moab: Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave. 31 One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man around here to lie with us, as is the custom all over the earth. 32 Let's get our father to drink wine and then lie with him and preserve our family line through our father.” Genesis 19:30-32 (NIV) So both of Lot's daughters became pregnant by their father. 37 The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites of today. 38 The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the Ammonites of today. Genesis 19:36-38 (NIV) While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, 2 who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. 3 So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor. And the LORD's anger burned against them. Numbers 25:1-3 (NIV) Once again the Israelites did evil in the LORD’s sight, and the LORD gave King Eglon of Moab control over Israel because of their evil. 13 Eglon enlisted the Ammonites and Amalekites as allies, and then he went out and defeated Israel, taking possession of Jericho, the city of palms. 14 And the Israelites served Eglon of Moab for eighteen years. Judges 3:12-14 (NLT2) No Ammonite or Moabite or any of his descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even down to the tenth generation. 4 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. 5 However, the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you. 6 Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them as long as you live. Deuteronomy 23:3-6 (NIV) 2 The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name 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. 3 Now Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. Ruth 1:2-5 (NIV) 1. What Are Some Problems That Threaten Our Homes? • Problems from natural forces …there was a famine in the land. Ruth 1:1 • Problems from culture …In the days when the judges ruled Ruth 1:1 … Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25 NASB • Problems from personal choices … they went to Moab and lived there. Ruth 1:2 … They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. Ruth 1:4 What Should We Do When Faced With Heartbreak? 1. In Your Heartbreak, Return to the Lord 6 When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. Ruth 1:6 (NIV) Big Idea: The journey from heartbreak to hope begins when we turn to God for redemption. But Ruth replied, “Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” Ruth 1:16 (NLT2) Remember Verse What about the Problem of Ruth Being a Moabites? “Don’t let foreigners who commit themselves to the LORD say, ‘The LORD will never let me be part of his people.’… 6 “I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the LORD, who serve him and love his name, who worship Him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who hold fast to my covenant. 7 I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations. 8 For the Sovereign LORD, who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says: I will bring others, too, besides my people Israel.” Isaiah 56:3a, 6-8 (NLT2) What would it look like for you to return to the Lord? I will return to the Lord by: Recommitting my life to Jesus Accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior Sign up for baptism July 21, 2024 Silver Strand Beach Signing up for First Impressions Family Corner: [Choose one day this week to ask questions to go deeper in faith as a family. Try this over dinner. Keep it to 12 minutes or less.] Open in Prayer. Icebreaker: How has the culture changed from when you grew up? Big Idea: The journey from heartbreak to hope begins when we turn to God for redemption. Redeem means “to buy out,” the action of being saved from sin, error, or evil. But Ruth replied, “Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” Ruth 1:16 (NLT2) Read Ruth 1:1-5 What is this story about? What was the cultural time like compared to our times? Have you ever had to live in an area that was culturally different? Read Judges 21:25 What were the days of the Judges like? Read Genesis 19:30-38 What do you learn about the country of Moab? Why do good people make bad choices? Judges 3:12-14 What do you learn about how God used the people of Moab? Deuteronomy 23:3-6 What law was given against the descendants of the Moabites? Why? Read and consider the meaning of the names of this family: Elimelech means ‘My God is King’. Naomi means ‘pleasant, lovely, delightful’ Mahlon means ‘to be sick’ Kilion means ‘to be pining away’ How do the names of this family give insight into their struggle in following the Lord? How long did they live in Moab? Why is this significant? Have you ever lost a family member? Did this loss affect your relationship with God? Explain: Hidden Dangers That Can Threaten Our Home Can Be: • Problems from natural forces What natural disasters has your family had to face? How did you work through it? • Problems from culture What cultural problems affect your family? How do you address them? • Problems from personal choices Have you experienced problems from personal choices? How are you working through them? 2. In Your Heartbreak, Return to the Lord What may have been some fears or excuses for Naomi or Ruth to return to the Lord? Read Isaiah 56:6-8 Even though God is known as Holy and righteous who punishes sin, He is also known for His mercy. What do you learn about God’s heart from this passage? How will God treat the foreigners and the outcasts that truly seek Him? How will God treat you if you turn to Him?