WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MOAB?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MOAB?

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Ruth 1:1-22

Key Verse:
“And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.” — Ruth 1:15 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 37:23-24; Proverbs 14:12; Isaiah 30:15; Luke 15:17-20

Description: Moab represents a place or season outside God's intended purpose where people may settle because of circumstances, wrong decisions or temporary pressures.

INTRODUCTION

Ruth 1 begins with a family leaving Bethlehem because of famine and travelling to Moab. Bethlehem means “house of bread,” while Moab was a foreign land with a complicated history of opposition to God's people. What began as a journey for survival eventually became a place of prolonged settlement and painful loss.

Sometimes people leave God's appointed place because of pressure, disappointment, hardship or the desire for something they believe will be better elsewhere. A temporary journey can become a permanent settlement if we are not careful. The question, therefore, is not only where you are, but why you are there and whether God wants you to remain there.

Naomi eventually heard that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread, and she decided to return to Bethlehem. Her story reminds us that it is possible to recognise that we have been in the wrong place and still return to God's purpose. You may have entered Moab, but you do not have to die in Moab.

1. MOAB CAN BE A PLACE OF WRONG DIRECTION

Elimelech and his family went to Moab because there was famine in Bethlehem. Their decision may have appeared reasonable, but every reasonable decision is not necessarily a God-directed decision. We must learn to seek God's direction before making major decisions.

a. Human reasoning can lead us astray [Proverbs 14:12]
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

b. We must acknowledge God in our decisions [Proverbs 3:5-6]
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

c. God's direction brings security [Psalm 32:8]
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go...”

d. Do not allow circumstances to determine your destiny [2 Corinthians 5:7]
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

2.  MOAB CAN TURN A TEMPORARY STAY INTO A LONG SETTLEMENT

What began as a journey because of famine became a period of approximately ten years. This teaches us that what we initially intended to be temporary can become a lifestyle if we fail to evaluate our direction.

a. Do not settle where God told you to pass through [Genesis 12:1]
“Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house...”

b. Delay can become dangerous [Hebrews 3:15]
“To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts...”

c. We must examine our spiritual position [2 Corinthians 13:5]
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith...”

d. There is a time to move [Ecclesiastes 3:1]
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

3.  MOAB CAN BECOME A PLACE OF LOSS

The family that entered Moab looking for preservation experienced devastating losses. Elimelech died, and later Mahlon and Chilion also died. The place that was expected to provide security became a place of sorrow.

a. Not every attractive place is a safe place [Psalm 37:23]
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD...”

b. Wrong environments can bring unnecessary battles [1 Corinthians 15:33]
“Evil communications corrupt good manners.”

c. God desires to preserve His people [Psalm 121:7]
“The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil...”

d. We must return when God calls us back [Ruth 1:6]
“Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab...”

4.  MOAB IS NOT YOUR FINAL DESTINATION

Naomi eventually heard that God had visited Bethlehem with bread. She did not remain in Moab forever. She arose and returned. Your present location, condition or season does not have to determine your final destiny.

a. God can restore lost years [Joel 2:25]
“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten...”

b. There is always hope in returning to God [Joel 2:12]
“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart...”

c. God welcomes those who return [Luke 15:20]
“But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion...”

d. Returning can lead to restoration [Ruth 4:14]
“Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman...”

Biblical Example

THE PRODIGAL SON

The prodigal son left his father's house seeking independence and pleasure. Eventually, he found himself in a place of emptiness and need. His turning point came when he “came to himself” and decided to return to his father's house.

Like Naomi, he discovered that returning was better than remaining in the wrong place. His story teaches us that recognising where we are and making the decision to return can be the beginning of restoration.

CONCLUSION

The question today is not merely, “Where are you?” but “What are you doing in Moab?” What decision has taken you away from God's purpose? What place, relationship, habit, attitude or pursuit has become a substitute for God's will? You must honestly examine your spiritual location.

If you have discovered that you are in a spiritual Moab, do not remain there. Arise and return to Bethlehem, the place of God's provision, purpose and presence. Your journey may have taken you away, but God's grace can bring you back. There is still bread in Bethlehem, and there is still a future after Moab.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, reveal every wrong place I have entered in Jesus name.

2. Lord, deliver me from every decision outside Your will in Jesus name.

3. Father, give me grace to recognise when it is time to move in Jesus name.

4. Lord, bring me out of every spiritual Moab in Jesus name.

5. Father, restore everything I have lost through wrong decisions in Jesus name.

6. Lord, redirect my steps into Your perfect purpose in Jesus name.

7. Father, disconnect me from every environment that is damaging my destiny in Jesus name.

8. Lord, give me courage to return to Your appointed place in Jesus name.

9. Father, let every season of dryness in my life come to an end in Jesus name.

10. Lord, lead me from Moab into my Bethlehem of restoration in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You are coming out of every wrong location into God's appointed place.

2. Every prolonged season of loss is coming to an end in your life.

3. You will not die in Moab.

4. Your steps shall be ordered by the Lord.

5. Every wrong decision affecting your destiny shall be overturned.

6. You are returning to your place of bread, favour and divine provision.

7.  God shall restore what was lost in your Moab season.

8. Your journey shall end in restoration and celebration.

9. You shall fulfil God's purpose for your life.

10.  Your Bethlehem experience shall be greater than your Moab experience.