audio by title ruth

Sermon text: Ruth 1:1-22

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1. Celebration of Matt Muehlhausen.

1. Elimelek and Naomi move from Bethlehem to Moab because of a famine
   
   1. Two sons
   2. In Moab, Elimelek dies
      
      1. Two sons marry local Moabite women (Orpah and Ruth)
      2. Two sons die 10 years later
      3. Just Naomi, Orpah and Ruth left
   3. Naomi hears from folks back in Bethlehem that God has now provided food
      
      1. Naomi is going to go back
         
         1. she must feel “about time” or “too late”
      2. As the 3 are on their way back Naomi tells the women to stay
         
         1. because they deserve kindness as they have been kind (selfless)
         2. they will be provided for (their benefit/gracious)
            
            1. both women WANT to stay with Naomi (attractive)
               
               1. Tell bad mother-in-law joke
         3. Naomi can’t provide for them
            
            1. Naomi feels “bitter” (her world had turned on her in Moab)
            2. Orpah stays in Moab, but “Ruth clung to her.” (1:14)
               
               1. Ruth was DETERMINED (READ 1:16-18)
               2. If I am hot, I keep shooting, if I am not hot, I shoot until I am hot
            3. The town is pumped to see Naomi
               
               1. They know her as “pleasant”
               2. Naomi not the same woman, now “bitter” (Mara)