Look at the book of Ruth.

  1. Each Man Did

Written by Samuel and it occurred during the time of the judges and to understand the timing of Ruth, we can look at the book of judges.

Boaz is one of the main characters in Ruth and he also goes by the name of Ibzan (Judges 12: 8 Ibzan from Bethlehem judged Israel.  He had thirty sons and thirty daughters.  He sent his daughters to marry men outside his clan, and he brought in thirty young women from outside his clan to marry his sons.  Ibzan judged Israel for seven years.  When he died, he was buried at Bethlehem.

Ibzan is Boaz

EXAMPLE: Robert also called Bob or Elizabeth called Betty.

History here is each tribe lost its national focus

2 Kings 23: 22 Josiah celebrates the Passover Neither in the days of the judges who led Israel nor int he days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah had any such Passover been observed.

Result of this is each tribe did what they thought was right int heir own eyes.

Cut ourselves of from the rest of the church we tend to get unique ideas about what is spiritual and especially the wrongs others are doing as if we have exclusive knowledge about what God pleases God.

2. Bethlehem

Bethlehem House of Bread

Famine came upon the land

Bread represents Jesus

  1. I am the bread of life whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.  Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6: 35
  2. Famine in those days not for bread or a thirst for water, but for hearing thee words of the Lord Amos 8: 11

Church is to be the place where people can find real and eternal life, but if they are scraping the carpets to get a few scrapes, people tend to wander

3. The Eesh Leaves

a man leaves taking his wife and two sons, his name was Elimelech. Ruth 1: 1, 2

Why not just say Elimelech left?  Samuel was trying to make a point here

Not just Elimelech left, but he was a man of importance by using the word Eesh. (Mankind, champion, great man)

Many instances int he Bible but these are a few

Adam = Mesh Genesis 2: 23

Noah  Noah was a just man Genesis 6: 9

Jacob was alone and wrestled a man Genesis 32: 24

Reading the verse again, A man (Eesh left Bethlehem, taking his wife and two sons, this Eesh was named Elimelech.

4. Deserted beyond hope

If Each man was leaving national heritage for doing what they thought was right, Elimelech was not only an important person, he was important in his family which lived in Bethlehem so he was deserting them in their time of need.

Remember the famine is not just of food and water, but spiritual food and water.

Ezekiel vision in Ezekiel 10, 11 of the glory of the Lord leaving the temple through the western gate which is now sealed shut.  then it went to the mount of olives and (11: 23) and ascended up into heaven.

Important man leaves Bethlehem, Spirit of God leaves as Paul states in Ephesians, we are without God and without Hope. (Ephesians 2: 12)

Ezekiel cried out we are all going to die. (11: 13)

Elimelech leaves Bethlehem and he along with his two sons die.

5. Bread has returned

Naomi (Elimelech’s wife) heard that there was a harvest in Bethlehem again.

Just a slight hope in a word given.  Is there really hope.

Temple Solomon built was destroyed and 70 years later a group of people return to Israel and rebuild a new one which is so small and insignificant compared to the first one.  Then an incredible promise

Haggai 2: 7 – 9 shake the nations and people are going to return and THE GLORY OF THIS TEMPLE WILL BE GREATER THAN ITS PAST GLORY.

Daniel saw the destruction of the people of Israel in a vision and felt so sick about he he could not eat, then another vision came to him. Daniel 7: 13 man like the son of man coming with the clouds every race and nation and language would obey him.  His rule is eternal—it will never end.

Daniel states I saw an Eesh coming in power.

How?  a man and his wife come into it with a little baby and Simeon sees it and prophecies, I have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all people He is a light to reveal God to the nations…he is the glory of your people Israel. (Luke 2: 30 – 32)

  1. Jesus talking to a sick man who cannot walk.  that you would know the SON OF MAN has power to forgive sin, take up your mat and walk. (Matthew 9: 6)
  2. Jesus I am the Bread of Life (John 6: 35)
  3. Famine for word of God, but word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1: 14
  4. Peter stated I saw the glory of God and heard the voice from heaven and it is Jesus            (2 Peter 1: 17)
  5. Same mountain he left on, he will return on and split it in two.
  6. Caesar may have a plan to tax everyone by making them return to their home, but God had a plan to bring his bread of life, his Eesh back to Bethlehem.

6. What Can I do.

Naomi heard there was bread in Bethlehem and she arose. (got ready) repentance 1: 6

Ezekiel saw the glory of God leave and cried out wee re all dead, Promise No there is coming a time when I will give the people a new heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony stubborn heart and give them a tender responsive heart so they will obey my decrees and then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God. (Ezekiel 11: 19, 20)

God’s glory has returned to Bethlehem and we need to return to him.