Elimelech = my God is King .. but he did not behave as if God was his King! He left Bethlehem for Moab, moving away from the promised land.
Isn't it ironic how the book of Ruth starts in Bethlehem, meaning "House Of Bread", but there is a famine (Ruth 1:1) Maybe because the people did not listen to God's advice (Deut 11:13-17).
Our faith in Him in difficult times will often be the testimony that will make others know our God.
If you think that by compromise you will convince your friends and family to come to Jesus ... you are mistaken! ("Perhaps you are sincere, but you are mistaken"!)
You will not win anyone for good by compromising with evil!
Can you think of other times when there was a famine?
what about during the time of Abraham (Gen 12), of Isaac (Gen 26), of Jacob (Gen 42) - and the people of God, choose a pagan country to go to
But even then.. God can turn things around.. and always has the solution!
So what if it is a different type of famine (Amos 8:11)... the solution is still turning to God! .. and we realise that just like Ruth and Naomi, to be able to get a piece of the promised land... we need a redeemer ... the Redeemer!
Ruth - Reaping - Redemption - Rest () .. such a different pattern compared to Judges.
p.s. According to Ruth 1:9 ... marriage = rest
