Who was Elimelech?

Family-wise, Elimelech was a husband to Naomi. A father to his two sons, Mahlon and Chilion.

They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah.

The name Elimelech in Hebrew means “My God is King”.

Ephrah means “Fruitful”.

Bethlehem means “House of Bread”.

Judah means “Praise”.

These details are very significant to the depth of understanding we are about to unveil in this teaching.

As we properly establish the identity of Elimelech, we need to understand that, although not specifically stated, the meaning of his name denotes that he honored God or at least had an understanding of the potential influence of God over a life– for his name means “My God is King”. When it comes to any and every decision made, our identity plays a major role. Your understanding of “who” you are and “whose” you are will influence the decisions you make. For Elimelech, he understood that God is his king. But when it came to making a decision, was God king over his decision making?

Another aspect of identity we see here is this – Elimelech came from a fruitful land, a house of bread and place of praise. Everything around him symbolized abundance and plenty. For the fact that it was not tangibly expressed at the time when his decision was made does not mean that it will never find expression. Amen.

These are very key points to note about the place of identity in decision making. The understanding of who you are and whose you are and the influence of the immediate environment affect decision making. When you profess God as King of your life, do you mean it? If so, how does his kingship affect your decision making? If your environment has potential of abundance and plenty, do you allow temporal lack to affect your decisions? I want you to think about it.

Destiny Defining Decisions - Introduction

ELIMELECH

Ruth 1:1-5

When it comes to destiny, our decisions play a major role and the outcome is defined by the decisions made in the process. It isn’t so much about the decisions versus what guides your decisions. Who guides your decisions? What factors do you consider when it comes to making decisions? Which values do take into consideration before making a decision or decisions? Do you have principles that you hold unto prior to making decisions in your life?

There is no insignificant decision. Neither are there small nor big decisions. Many wheels turn when “a” decision is made, regardless of how significant, insignificant, big or small the decision is. The outcome of a decision is what determines whether or not in your opinion the decision was big, small, significant or insignificant. For example, for most people, the prayer of salvation is best appreciated, after they begin living the kingdom life. However, on the day the decision was made, there was n’t much to look out for. Amen.

A decision about salvation, marriage, a contract, etc. determines destiny. So too is destiny determined when a decision is made to keep your sink clean, do your laundry and mow the lawn. We cannot undermine the power of decisions. Decisions have an impact on destiny. Think about it. Where you are in life today is as a result of a series of decisions you made or that someone made on your behalf. I bet you’ll agree with me that life is not an event lived by chance because an undecided mind is a decision made anyway.  

A great character in the bible by name Elimelech can be referred to as someone who made A Destiny Defining Decision for himself and his family. He is not mentioned frequently in the Bible, however, the lessons we learn from his life can forever, refine how we make decisions. We are introduced to Elimelech and his family in Ruth 1:1-5 (NIV). Scriptures say these about them.

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.  The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah, and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

Let’s delve deeper into his life and learn more about destiny defining decisions.