You cannot Outsmart God

You Can't Outsmart God

I continue from where I stopped earlier, still under the above heading. Quite too unfortunate that what bro. Elimelech was trying to avoid at Bethlehem Judah has eventually ensnared him at Moab.

The fact that things are not working as they suppose doesn't change God's sovereign love and kindness. Though there was famine in their land, that doesn't mark the end; God knows how to deliver the righteous out of trouble. He never neglect His children for so long: though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His tender mercies.

Elimelech thought that was the end for Bethlehem Judah, and no light would reflect at the end of the tunnel, so he picked race before he lost his life and that of his most cherished family; but to his amazement, the cold hand of death did not first snatch away those he cared for but Elimelech himself. He left the saving arm of God in Bethlehem to become a prey in the hand of the devil at Moab. Satan as his usuall hobby and mission to steal, to kill, and to destroy; He saw Elimelech naked without protection and hurriedly seize the advantage to accomplish his mission. He delibrately target their father, knowing quite well that he's the major factor in the direction the family would go. Had he took someone else, Elimelech would have been on the alert and call his erring heart into order and quickly rushed back to their home land, but instead, he employed his age-long strategy of "strike the shepherd, and the sheep will scatter". Elimelech love his life more than he love God and eventually loose it.

Friend, are you in Elimelech's shoe right away trying to run for your life, even when you don't have a clear understanding of where you are going, I advise you to wait and inquire from God before you allow Satan to take advantage of you.!

Now Elimelech is dead, the wife would have to take up the challenge of steering the wheel of their home affairs; she was confused-not knowing where to start, whether to go back to their land or give the situation a second attempt. Notwithstanding, they have gathered a number of friends and acquaintances in their few period of staying there who came to symphatize with them and assured Naomi of safety. She had to mustered courage and stayed by their persuation. There is no more connection with the Holy Spirit; every sensitivity to His inner prompting has gone out, since the power of prayer has wane to the barest minimum-to really know the mind of God at the moment, she had to settle for people's counsel to remain in Moab and her two sons.

What was now the aftermath events succeeding Elimelech's death? Was his death just a coincidence and probably a reaction or natural effect to environmental change or there is a mystery behind it? Let's see what happen:
"Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years." vs.4.
Naomi and her two sons mourn their deceased for a while and had to continue with their own lives...however, looking from that scripture you will discover that they have now blent with the people of the land. The culture and custom of the people has become their lifestyle, Naomi could not teach her sons the commandment of God, even though in a strange land. The law that God commanded them through Moses to observe anywhere they go in order to succeed God's covenants upon their fathers have been suspended and regarded as taboo for the new law and custom of Moab. Civilization has taken over their consecration and godly heritages. The strangers that God warned their fathers not to exhibit covenant or oath with is what the children went ahead to marry and celebrated, when there is no one to tell them the consequence. Even if they are in a strange land, are there no Jews who fled with them to Moab? And if perhaps there is none, can't they go to their land and get wives for themselves like their fore fathers? But that is no more a matter to them any longer, they are now sharing a mixed national identity.

Meanwhile, the one that has long set on a mission to destroy the entire family was still on the trail, he only left them for a while before he released the next dagger. However, ten years after the first attack, he wreck the second one more severe than the first one...to be continued later...stay blessed