But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first. Revelation 2:4-5
In life we can make wrong choices/turns which lead us to places we should not be. We find such an example in Ruth 1 during the time of the Book of Judges when “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Here we meet Elimelech, Naomi and their sons Mahlon and Chilion (Ruth 1:1-2).
A severe famine and drought befalls the land of Israel as God’s people test God’s promise yet another time (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). Elimelech chooses to move his family to Moab (Ruth 1:1). This was definitely a serious wrong turn. Why? Though related to Israel through Lot (Genesis 19:30-38), Moab was a dreaded enemy of Israel hindering their progress to the Promised Land through the false prophet Balaam (Numbers 22-25), under God’s curse (Deuteronomy 23:3-6) and worshippers of Chemosh, a violent god who demanded child sacrifices. This indeed was a bad move! It proves to be fatal as Elimelech dies, and his sons after they had married their pagan wives, Ruth and Orpah (Ruth 1:3-5). Naomi and her family had left Bethlehem for these tragic events.
Where is YOUR Moab? Where do you go to find relief in the trials of life? The world, the flesh and the devil are constantly promoting “trips to Moab” persuading us that “You deserve a break!” Thus we retreat to sinful activities and relationships feeding “the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life” (1 John 2:15-17). Are you in a spiritual Moab today? Isn’t it time to go back home to the Lord? Just like Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 1:6-18), your Moab experience can end. It’s always time to make that RIGHT turn back to the Lord and get out of Moab as quickly as you can!
Bob Kulp