Read Ruth 1:1–2
THE CUPBOARDS ARE BARE
Christmas is often portrayed as a time of feasting: platefuls of mince pies,
chocolate supplies in every room, turkey with all the trimmings…
The beginning of Ruth therefore feels like quite a gear change: ‘…there was
a famine in the land’ (v. 1). But if we linger here, we’ll see this opening has
an important – and even refreshing – word for us.
‘Land’ here refers to Israel and Judah, the place of blessing that God had
promised to Abraham and his descendants. So why was there a famine?
WARNING LIGHTS
We need to read between the lines here. We saw yesterday that God’s people
were on a downward spiral of disobedience and idolatry (Ruth 1:1 and
Judges 21:25). But the news of a ‘famine’ is further evidence things have
gone awry spiritually. The Old Testament law included clear consequences if
God’s people turned away to false gods. Significantly, one of these
consequences was famine (see Deuteronomy 28:15–29).
In other words, this national widespread hunger should have been a
warning light flashing on Israel’s dashboard. It meant all was not well with
their relationship with God.
And like all warning lights, it was meant to evoke a response…
MEET THE FAMILY
As we’re introduced to the people in this story, it’s notable that the very first
details given are not their names, characters or occupations. Instead, it’s
where they’re from – Bethlehem – and where they’re going – Moab. To put it
another way, we’re told their response to the famine. And despite first
impressions, these locations reveal a particularly unwise response.
Firstly, Bethlehem was part of God’s promised land. Its name literally
meant ‘house of bread’. But Moab, on the other hand, was one of the longstanding enemies of God’s people. The first readers of this story would have
therefore raised their eyebrows: ‘You’re going where? To Moab?!’
Both places are then repeated for emphasis in verse 2, sandwiching the
family’s names: ‘They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they
went to Moab and lived there.’
Now, we might think, ‘Aren’t they just doing what anyone would have done
in that situation?’ But remember that this was no ordinary famine. It was a
God-given warning light urging God’s people to turn to him in repentance.
It certainly wasn’t an invitation to flee further away!
DENIAL STRATEGIES
But isn’t this what we do? Essentially, Elimelek and Naomi’s actions are just
one little example of how we respond when confronted with the reality of a
fractured relationship with God. When faced with our brokenness and
depravity, it’s all too easy to turn away.
All this might not seem very Christmassy! But traditionally, Advent is
understood as an opportunity to face up to the darkness in order to
appreciate the light.
Maybe our culture’s desire to ‘bring Christmas in early’ is symptomatic of
trying to escape the reality of our brokenness?
1 Yet no one can escape reality
for long. In a world that aches with sin, pretending everything is endless
cheer is both deceptive and exhausting.
REFLECTION
Tings aren’t as they should be – globally, nationally, but also personally. Take
some time to confess your own sin. Do you seek to ‘escape’ from this reality?
Give thanks that God’s word is honest about the brokenness of our aching
world. How could this inspire conversations you have today?
Listen to ‘Deliver Us’ by Andrew Peterson.
Ham, Robin. Finding Hope Under Bethlehem Skies: An Advent Devotional. 10 Publishing, 2021.