RETURN TO JUDAH

• DAY 143
• FAITH FILE: NAOMI
• SCRIPTURES: RUTH 1

Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread. Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

Ruth 1:1-2; 6-7

As I always say, if you wanna understand what is going on, you have to read the whole story. In our text today Naomi is set to go back to Israel with her daughter inlaws. But that is not where the story starts. So let’s rewind

In Judah there was a famine, this was around the time Judges ruled Israel. Naomi, her husband, Elimelech and their two sons decided to move to Moab. Today we say they Japa’d. They were in search of greener, less hungry pastures so they went to a country that offered them that. Just like quite a number of people left the famine of opportunities and working systems to japa to US, Canada, UK and the likes.

Hunger Is Powerful

One major cause of anxiety is lack. Lack can make us do what we aren’t supposed to. The fear of not enough has made preachers compromise, many get into crime and yet others take their lives. Don’t underestimate hunger. People have died living this country because of an attempt to escape hunger. Not to mention how many people sell kidneys and their children to traffickers because of hunger.

It was hunger that made this family leave their promised land to greener pastures. And honestly, i don’t judge them, “nobody wan suffer.” The plan was to stay for a while, but tragedy struck and Naomi lost her husband. What was meant to be a while became longer. And her two sons took wives from that land and they too died. So not only is she a widow, she is childless and has to cater to two widows and not a grandchild came out of all this. Talk about tragedy.

Amazingly Judah starts to do well and she decides to return home. This is not easy. Imagine going to America for a better life and having to return to Nigeria with nothing. After all the noise you made, after how you snuck out of the country without telling anyone. The devastation and humiliation. No wonder she was sad (but we will look at this tomorrow).

Leave Moab

Moab was not a people God wanted Israel to associate with. It was not the land they should be living in. Not to mention that the famine was probably caused by their disobedience to God’s laws, so running away was not the solution.

Sometimes we run because of our own comfort and not God’s will, so we lose things. That’s not the time to hang on, that’s the time to retrace your steps and get back in alignment. However, knowing when to quit on something that clearly isn’t working anymore is also another anxiety trigger for most of us. We are afraid of what people might say or how they might see us and we stay stuck in nothingness because of that fear. But sometimes you have to go back to Judah.

Return

Beloved, let us not let fear keep us stuck. It’s time to return to where God intended for you to be. If you look again, you might just notice that the famine that drove you away is no longer there. Don’t wait until you lose everything before you wake up and move. Move now!

If you’re struggling with this, ask God to help. He wants to strengthen you to do His good pleasure. Ask Him now and He will answer.

Shalom