Famination

Ruth 1:1

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 Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn into the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

This is one of those verses that are easy to gloss over - but if you look, it bespeaks some interesting facts. We have a man living in a specific time (when the judges ruled), during a time of trial (famine), who happened to be of the children of Israel (of Bethlehemjudah), running to Moab for survival. All the exact things a well told story would have if you wanted to hook nearly everyone - it is the same template fast paced novels and movies hold. Also of interest is that he is running to Moab ... a region considered of ill-repute, primarily because of the source of the original Moabite lineage (link, link).

The first famine mentioned in scripture occurs in Genesis 12:10 and Abraham's response is much like the 'certain man of Bethlehemjudah' in Ruth - he leaves a land he is comfortable, going into a land whose culture is dangerous.

Here is your question - What SHOULD you do when there is a famine in the land?

• Seek shelter?
  

• Go where the food is?
  

• Assume it’s a judgment on the land that can be remedied by an earnest, nationwide repentance?