During the period of the judges, the Israelites lacked faith in Yahweh and broke his covenant (Judg 2:1–5, 10–23). As seen in Judges, God chastened his people in accordance with his promised curses. He expected his people to live according to his word in the land he had given them and not to go and live in another land when difficult times arose. This will was clearly revealed in his word. Elimelek, like many Israelites of his day, lacked the faith to trust God in the midst of this famine. The move to Moab was highly unusual and was outside of God’s revealed will. Ironically, Elimelek parts
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