Naomi Widowed
1 In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.
Ruth’s Loyalty to Naomi
Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the LORD had visited his people and given them food. So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. But Naomi 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. The LORD grant 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. And they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.” Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.
And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.
Naomi and Ruth Return
So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”
So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
(ESV)
Ruth 1 Commentary
In Ruth 1, Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, leave Israel because of a famine and live in Moab (Ruth 1:1-2). While in Moab, the sons marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth (Ruth 1:4). Ten years later, Elimelech and his sons die, and Naomi is left widowed and childless (Ruth 1:3-6).
After learning that the Lord has visited Judah to give them food, Naomi decides to go back home with her daughters-in-law (Ruth 1:6-7). She invites them to stay in Moab. Orpah returns (Ruth 1:8-14), but Ruth persists in accompanying Naomi, vowing to be loyal to her and her God (Ruth 1:15-18). They arrive in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest (Ruth 1:19-22), where Naomi tells of her sorrow regarding her losses.
The Book Of Ruth
The Book of Ruth shines as a ray of hope and faith in the midst of the moral degeneration and corruption that is seen in the book of Judges. Whereas Judges reveals the recurring cycles of sin, idolatry, oppression, and subsequent repentance on the part of the Israelites, the book of Ruth focuses on devotion, love, and God’s providence. Set against the context of a period when many lacked commitment to God, it brings to focus the dedication of Ruth. She remains committed to her mother-in-law Naomi and later finds her place in the genealogy of King David and, eventually, the Messiah.
The mention of Bethlehem-Judah in the book of Ruth is significant, both historically and prophetically. Bethlehem, where Ruth 1 unfolds, would one day be the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Although the story is short and in some ways inconsequential, it is undoubtedly linked to God’s plan of Salvation for humanity.
This is a reminder to believers that there is no feeling of chaos in the world in which God is not at work. He is always working! Even during the time like Judges, God was working in the hearts of the remnant to accomplish His purpose and plan. It is also important to point out that the book of Ruth bridges the period of judges and Israel’s transition to a king.
Poor Decisions?
Why does Elimelech lead his family to depart Bethlehem to go into the enemy territory of Moab? Why did he allow his sons to marry Moabite women? Instead of trusting God in their land, they decide to venture outside the Promised Land. Understandably, he was trying to provide for his family, but his decision went against God’s law. Israel’s law warned against mixing with the Moabites (Deut 23:3) which makes this choice questionable, especially from a spiritual perspective.
The decision mirrors Abraham’s journey into Egypt during a famine (Gen 12:10). Their intended short stay turns long and in the end, Elimelech and his sons die.
“Now the very minute that they did that they broke the Mosaic Law. You see, having gotten out of fellowship with God and going to the far country, the next step is always in apostasy; it’s to continue on in sin, and even to multiply it. And that’s what they did. They broke the Mosaic Law and took wives of the women of Moab.”
J. Vernon McGee
“Better to starve in the will of God than to eat the enemy’s bread! They plan to “sojourn” briefly, but instead they “continue” until the father and the two sons die. The names of the two sons may reflect the sorrow of their sojourn: Mahlon means “sickly” and Chilion means “pining.” “To be carnally minded is death” (Rom 8:6). Jews were not to mix with the Moabites (Deut 23:3), so their wrong decision brought them the discipline of God.”
Warren Wiersbe
After Elimelech and his two sons died, Naomi was left grieving in a foreign land. In the ancient world, a childless widow was considered the lowest of the low. Naomi was in a situation of extreme vulnerability and disadvantage. With no husband or children to care for her, survival was left completely to the mercy of relying on others. Naomi was stranded in Moab, and because she had no family or other means of support, her future was bleak.
It is also fair to question Naomi’s decision to send Orpah and Ruth back to their foreign territories. In her defense, she wants them to be happy in their own land with their own people, however, she is not thinking spiritually. She believes “the Lord’s hand has turned against her” and she doesn’t want either of these ladies to experience any more sorrow.
After many tears, Orpah chooses a normal life in Moab over a risky life traveling with Naomi. Ruth, however, digs in her heels and refuses to leave Naomi. Orpah chooses the logical and sensible path while Ruth chooses the difficult and unexpected path. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi mirrors her commitment to the Lord. Because of her relationship with Naomi, she wants to serve and know Yahweh. Because she chooses to follow Naomi, she will also end up following the Lord.
Application
Ruth’s determination to stay with Naomi is a testament to her deep commitment. This decision to go with Naomi is a significant undertaking based on abiding love. The landscape is uncertain, but instead of making the comfortable and familiar decision, Ruth tangibly demonstrates her loyalty to Naomi.
This should challenge us as believers today. Ruth’s faith is demonstrated in her willingness to risk her personal safety on behalf of a cause she finds to be much greater. Naomi has given her fair warning, however, Ruth is not deterred. Her deep faith is rooted in staying committed to the relationship, even in times of loss and uncertainty.
Ruth is a perfect example of living out one’s beliefs, especially in difficult circumstances. Orpah’s decision can be understood in the context, but Ruth’s decision is a deep expression of trust that follows God’s promises, even in the midst of personal danger. This story forces us to look at our own expression of faith and loyalty to Jesus Christ.
