Ruth 1:1-7 – “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 sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem-Judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was

left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. 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 how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.”

This is a story of redemption, love, grace, and hope

I. Time of Desperate Circumstances – v.1 A. Material famine in the land B. Moral famine in the land Judges 21:25 – "In those days there was no king in Israel, every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

I. Time of Desperate Circumstances – v.1 A. Material famine in the land Moral famine in the land Missionary famine in the land Financial Physical Spiritual Revelation 3:19 – "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten, be zealous therefore and repent."

II. Time of Dangerous Choices – vs.1b-2 A. Chose to leave the promised land – v.1 B. Chose to live in a polluted land – v.1 • Leaving Israel was equivalent to denying faith in Jehovah

II. Time of Dangerous Choices – vs.1b-2 A. Chose to leave the promised land – v.1 Chose to live in a polluted land – v.1 Chose to live in a prodigal land – v.2

III. Time of Deadly Consequences – vs.3-5 A. There was discipline in that home – v.2 B. There was death in that home C. There was defeat in that home – v.5 Proverbs 13:15 – "The way of the transgressor is hard."

IV. Time of Deliberate Changes – vs.6-7 A. A time of realization – v.6 B. A time of repentance – vs.6-7 • She experienced a change of heart that resulted in a change of action • If you find yourself in Moab: o It is time to leave Moab o It is time to come home o It is time to repent of your sins & come to the Father

IV. Time of Deliberate Changes – vs.6-7 A. A time of realization – v.6 A time of repentance – vs.6-7 A time of returning – v.7