Ruth 1
Ruth is a story set in ancient Israel during a chaotic time when the judges ruled. Chapter 1 begins with Naomi and her family leaving Bethlehem because of a famine and relocating to the land of Moab. It then describes how Naomi, whose husband and two sons have died, returns with one of her two daughters-in-law, Ruth, back to their hometown, Bethlehem. This chapter serves as the introduction that opens the entire story of Ruth, and it is also the starting point for changes in the characters and the decisions they make.
1verseIn the days when the judges judged, there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to live in the country of Moab with his wife and his two sons.
2verseThe name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab and lived there.
3verseElimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons.
4verseThey took for themselves wives of the women of Moab. The name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other was Ruth. They lived there about ten years.
5verseMahlon and Chilion both died, and the woman was bereaved of her two children and of her husband.
6verseThen she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab; for she had heard in the country of Moab how the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.
7verseShe went out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her. They went on the way to return to the land of Judah.
8verseNaomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.
9verseMay the LORD grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices, and wept.
10verseThey said to her, “No, but we will return with you to your people.”
11verseNaomi said, “Go back, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12verseGo back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, ‘I have hope,’ if I should even have a husband tonight, and should also bear sons,
13versewould you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from having husbands? No, my daughters, for it grieves me seriously for your sakes, for the LORD’s hand has gone out against me.”
14verseThey lifted up their voices and wept again; then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth stayed with her.
15verseShe said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her god. Follow your sister-in-law.”
16verseRuth said, “Don’t urge me to leave you, and to return from following you, for where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.
17verseWhere you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.”
18verseWhen Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.
19verseSo they both went until they came to Bethlehem. When they had come to Bethlehem, all the city was excited about them, and they asked, “Is this Naomi?”
20verseShe said to them, “Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.
21verseI went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”
22verseSo Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the country of Moab. They came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Structure and Flow
- Leaving Bethlehem: When a famine arrives, Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and their two sons leave for Moab to make a living.
- Loss within the family: In Moab, Naomi’s husband and two sons die one after another, leaving Naomi with her two daughters-in-law (Orpah, Ruth).
- A decision to return: After hearing that the famine has ended, Naomi decides to return to her hometown.
- The daughters-in-law’s choices: Orpah goes back to her family, but Ruth goes to Bethlehem together with a confession: “My mother’s God will be my God.”
- Naomi and Ruth returning: The two women arrive in their hometown with nothing but empty hands, and the chapter ends with a poetic conclusion that the story begins at the barley harvest.
Overall Meaning
Chapter 1 of Ruth shows how pain and hardship experienced by a family are followed by decisions and devotion, even amid those circumstances. Ruth’s decision symbolically represents her faith and her relationship, as well as trust in the future. Ruth, a Gentile woman, shows devotion that becomes an important link to later events in Israel’s history and God’s great story of salvation.
Points for Reflection
- In the time of hardship, we can consider what our choices are based on.
- Ruth’s devotion and loyalty make us think about the meaning of true relationships and our belief in God’s guidance.
- Let’s remember that even a small decision can become a turning point in the history of God’s plan.
Apply It to My Life
- I look back on what I am choosing during the difficult and challenging times in my life.
- I can also think about whether there are opportunities in my relationships to practice devotion and faith.
- By trusting God’s providence, I can build a perspective that looks beyond the immediate situation toward the future.
