". . . there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he (Elimelech), and his wife (Naomi), and his two sons (Mahlon and Chilion)". (Ruth 1:1-2)
Elimelech, the head of this family, purposed in his heart to leave God's people, and all the sweet associations connected with the place where God had set His name, that he might go forth to a strange land to dwell among strange people, who knew not God, nor thought upon His name.
He did this rather than endure the chastening of the Lord in the land of promise. Led away by "the wandering of the desire" (Ecclesiastes 6:9) he found his anticipated joy become unmitigated sorrow, and nothing left but "vanity and vexation of sprit," (Ecclesiastes 6:9).
God dealt with Elimelech in this way by death, and took him away. So let us be warned and seek not to avoid the chastening of the Lord, but rather let us be exercised thereby, that we may bring forth "the peaceable fruit of righteousness." (Hebrews 12:11).
He tried to flee from the discipline of God, and he fell into Satan's snare; "as if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand upon the wall, and a serpent bit him." (Amos 5:19).
Elimelech is unquestionably brought before us as a proof that all those who act wilfully must eventually reap that which they have sown. He had turned away from the fountain of life, and found the cup which he had mingled one of death, unhappy death.
Beware then, for the desire of the Spirit is "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:10). Meditations on The Book of Ruth - D. McKendrick
