READ | SERMON NOTES
SUMMARY l God’s purpose for our lives may differ from our own. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no human mind has conceived, the things that God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor 2:9). He desires to upsize our vision, our family and our legacy.
Moving out of God’s Promised Land to Moab
Context
- Judah was experiencing famine.
- Scripture suggests the famine was God’s discipline for Israel’s disobedience (Deut 28).
- In contrast, the neighbouring land of Moab was not affected.
Orientating towards Moab
- Elimelech, with good intentions to provide for his family, moves them out of Judah to Moab.
- The Moabites, descendants of Lot, are excluded from God’s assembly:
- They denied bread and water to the Israelites while they were fleeing from Egypt
- They hired Balaam to curse God’s people
- Elimelech’s choice went against God’s plan for the Israelites to reside in the Promised Land. He is dismissive of God as the promise-keeper and true king of Israel.
- He chose to provide for his family in his way, prioritising physical and material wellbeing over spiritual destiny.
A Warning
- Elimelech’s poor spiritual leadership led to spiritual depletion, assimilation with the Moabites and syncretism:
- His choice opened the door to further compromises and ungodliness, impacting on the spiritual destinies of his family. His sons married Moabite women against God’s commands (Ruth 1:4)
- He and his sons died in Moab under divine judgement (Ruth 1:3,5)
- His choice reflected his spiritual apathy and insensitivity towards God.
How does orientating towards Moab look in today’s context?
- Prioritising the material: Our choices will show (subtly or otherwise) a disregard for our spiritual destinies. This spills over to the spiritual destinies of those under our domain.
- Good but flesh-focused priorities: Some of our priorities may seem godly e.g. parenting our children well, providing for our families. However, these choices, although seemingly good, can be self-centred if not God focused.
- Isaiah 55:2 warns that we should not labour for bread that does not satisfy. Scripture contrasts spirit-led men with flesh-focused ones:
- David vs Saul
- Jacob vs Esau
- Elimelech vs Boaz
- These lessons apply to us as leaders in families, ministries, workplaces and as individuals.
Moving out of Moab back to God’s Promised Land
Ruth vs Orpah:
- Following the deaths of her husband and sons, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem after learning that God had ended the famine in Judah.
- She urges her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab to rebuild their own futures as she has none to offer them (Ruth 1:11-13).
- Orpah, though sorrowful, returns to her people and her gods (Ruth 1:15).
- In contrast, Ruth ‘clung’ to Naomi, adopting Naomi’s people and God as her own. The Hebrew dabaq (“to cleave”) is the same word that is used in Genesis 2:24 to describe cleaving in marriage and Deut 11:22 to describe holding fast to God.
- Ruth’s choice and actions reflect an unreserved commitment to God. She has completely shed her Moabite identity.
A charmed life vs a blessed life
- Naomi’s decision to return to Judah was likely triggered by her loss – a wake-up call. Sometimes, it takes a desperate or bad situation to turn us back to God’s plan.
- She laments having left Judah full (with her whole family) but returning empty. Naomi has misunderstood the true meaning of fullness and emptiness.
- Earthly riches (e.g. a whole family, wealth) do not equate to heavenly riches (living in God’s purpose and promises)
- A charmed life is not the same as a blessed life
- True fullness exists only in God
Lesson 1: Upsize your vision
- God calls us to a Word-based, born again, Spirit-led life of wholehearted abiding in and unreserved obedience towards Him.
- We have been bought at a price; our lives are not our own. Everything belongs to God (Psa 24:1)
- We are to steward well our families – care for our family members, and also let family be conduit of blessings to others.
- One day, we will have to account for all that has been entrusted to – our talents, families, material possessions
- Jesus’ vision were aligned with the Father’s; He did not act on his own accord. What about ours?
Lesson 2: Upsize your family
- God has an expansive concept of family and calls us to embrace and care for a wider circle of people.
- God upsized Naomi’s family through Ruth’s covenantal commitment. Though she had lost her biological and marital family, she gained a son through Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 4:15-17)
- Family is not only genetic but rooted in alignment with God.
- Jesus says, “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matt 12:50)
- There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother (Prov 18:24).
- The running theme in Ruth is about how “Not my family “becomes” my family”. This is also the story of the Gospel. We are all adopted into sonship and co-heirs with Christ.
Lesson 3: Upsize your legacy
- God intends that we build a legacy that lasts in eternity.
- On the day, the quality of each person’s work will be tested by fire (1 Cor 3:12-15)
- Elimelech had an outwardly perfect family but died outside of God’s promises, leaving no legacy.
- Whether our families are whole or imperfect, the more important question is whether we are building towards eternity. God will empower and equip us for this.
Conclusion
We can tick the neat boxes of good Christian living and still miss the mark of God’s high calling if our choices are not centered on Him. It is God who helps us make sense of our lives.
If we call God our king, our vision and purpose must be founded on His Word. It should not be limited by our experience, families of origin or societal expectations. It should not be framed by our personal references or financial situations.
Though we are works-in-progress, we are also called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12). Let our response be worthy of the God who loved us so much that He humbled Himself and came to earth to die for us.
(Sermon notes by Stella Chiam)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What is your cornerstone, mindset, vision?
- Who is your family, and why does it matter?
- What are you building, and will it survive the test of fire?
