An Escape That Became A Trap by Louis Bartet

It's not the circumstances we fact that destroy us, but the way we respond to them. EMAIL US

(Ruth 1:1-5)

Officials from the Federal National Mortgage Association were almost speechless when Norman and Melissa Cameron told them why they didn't plan to pay their $54,000 mortgage. "When I read it, I was taken aback," said FNMA's lawyer. In the Camerons' response to foreclosure proceedings on their house in Hartford, Connecticut, they claim God told them they didn't have to pay the mortgage. "It was our desire to be free from this mortgage debt," the Camerons told the court overseeing the foreclosure. "Therefore, we asked God our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. He heard us and he freed us from this mortgage bondage." (AP)

A high school principal, father of three small children, fell in love with one of his students. He wanted to marry her, but didn't believe in divorce, so he and the girl plotted to have his wife killed. He paid someone $2,000 to do the job. He felt cheated when that person pocketed the money without accomplishing the assigned murder.

What do these stories have in common with the book of Ruth? The writer of Ruth tells us that the story he is telling us took place "in the days when the judges ruled" (1:1). According to Judges 21:25, it was a time when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Elimelech's decision was influenced by the social norm of his day. Like the Camerons and the principal, He did that which was right in his own eyes.

All of us face famines of some sort--difficult times which are beyond our control and which drain our resources. In such an environment it is likely that any of us would consider taking measures to preserve our family. To do this Elimelech had to take his family to Moab, a country that originated when Lot fathered a son by an incestuous union with his oldest daughter (Genesis 19:37). It was Moab that caused Israel to sin (Numbers 22-25). It was Moab that oppressed Israel for 18 years under the leadership of king Eglon (Judges 3:12-30). Because of Moab's idolatrous worship of Chemosh (1Kings 11:7, 33; 2 Kings 23:13) and its opposition to Israel, God cursed Moab (Is. 15-16; Jer. 48; Ezek. 25:8-11; Amos 2:1-3). Elimelech's move to Moab is reminiscent of Lot's move to Sodom (Gen. 13:10-13). Elimelech's choice was based on his need to preserve his family and Lot's choice was based on economic advantage, but both men chose for themselves (Gen. 13:11).

Scripture warns us, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Prov. 14:12). This certainly was true in Elimelech's life. The thing he sought to escape is the very thing he encountered by fleeing to Moab. We are told that Elimelech died (1:3) and that after marrying Moabite women both of his sons died (1:5). Doing what's right in my own eyes may seem good for the moment, but all too often it brings grievous consequences. If you don't believe it all you have to do is ask David and Bathsheba or Ananias and Sapphira.

There is a better way. When Jesus was faced with this temptation He took direction from Deuteronomy 8:3--"...man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD." (See Luke 4:3-4.) The writer of Proverbs declared, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (3:5,6). The temptation to do what is right in my own eyes is overcome by living in daily submission to the Word of God. If I allow His word to direct me it will be a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path. It will keep me from stumbling.

Did Elimelech escape suffering and death by running from difficulty? He may have escaped the famine, but he was unable to preserve himself and his sons. Geoffrey T. Bull says, "It is in the loss of all we have, so often, that God becomes to us all we need." I am suspicious that Elimelech would have fared better had he placed his future in God's hands and remained in Bethlehem for the duration of the famine. The solution isn't found in running from the problem, but running toward God.

How about you? Are you presently being tempted to take life into your own hands? Are you currently making choices based upon the circumstances rather than upon God's Word? Perhaps you are in a place of loss because you did what was right in your own eyes. If so, there is hope in Christ Jesus. God is giving Bread to His people and invites you to return and partake of His gracious provisions. Your answer is to be found in admitting your error, cutting your losses, and in returning to Bethlehem. It's time we overcome your selfish decision with a right decision! It's time we leave the graves in Moab and return to the House of Bread.

(C) 1998 by Louis Bartet, all rights reserved.