Rick Clendenen on Ruth 1:19-22 -- Seven Things to Help Shun Bitterness

Ruth 1:19-22

Seven Things to help shun bitterness

Alimelech "God is my father"
Lived in Bethlehem "house of bread"

Began to feel pressure because of the famine

#1 In the midst of trouble, don't forget who your daddy is.

Alimelech sojourned toward Moab "flesh"
Sojourn: "temporary trip"

#2 Don't let fear drive you to do things the world's way

#3 Don't let your temporary decisions cause permanent damage and death.

Chilian "Sorrowful"
Mohan "sickly"

Orpah "gazelle / stiff-necked and swift-footed"

#4 Don't expect Orpah (the stiffnecked/swift-footed) to follow you.
Wherever her head turns, she's going to go.

Ruth "beauty"
Naomi "sweet one"
Even though Naomi said call me Mara "bitter", nobody did - they still called her Naomi.

#5 Don't let the devil change your name.

Boaz "bounty"

#6 stay sweet
- refuse to be bitter, so you will be able to bring together beauty and bounty.

Obed "servant"
Naomi, long past birthing age, was able to nurse her grandson
The people didn't say Ruth had a son, but that Naomi (sweet one) had a son.

#7 Don't let bitterness dry you up - you have a future servant you need to nurse.