Welcome to a journey through one of the most beautiful, redemptive stories in Scripture—the story of Ruth. Over the next four posts, we’ll be diving deep into each chapter of Ruth's story, discovering the incredible lessons of faith, loyalty, love, and God's quiet but unshakeable faithfulness.
Through each chapter, we’ll uncover not only Ruth’s journey of faith but also how God uses everyday women like Naomi and Ruth to show His power, provision, and perfect timing. As we walk through each step of their story, my prayer is that you will find hope and encouragement in your own journey.
Let’s dive in!
Chapter 1: When Hope Feels Lost – Ruth's Journey Begins
The story of Ruth is one of those that stays with you long after you’ve read it. It’s one of those narratives that only deepens with reflection, especially in times when life feels uncertain and hope seems harder to hold on to. Chapter 1 of Ruth speaks directly to anyone who’s ever felt empty, lost, or unsure about the road ahead. It starts with loss and grief, but even in the midst of their sorrow, Naomi and Ruth move toward hope. And it’s in that movement toward hope that the real story begins.
The book of Ruth begins in Bethlehem, ironically called “the house of bread,” but it’s a place in the midst of famine. At the center of this chapter is Naomi, a woman who’s about to face unimaginable loss. She’s about to lose her husband, her sons, and even her sense of hope—but it’s in this beginning, filled with grief and heartache, that God begins to weave a story of redemption.
This story unfolds “in the days when the judges ruled.” These were dark, turbulent times in Israel, a period marked by cycles of rebellion, ruin, and restoration. Imagine living in a time when there was no king and everyone did what seemed right in their own eyes. That’s the world Naomi and Ruth are living in. But it’s during this very time of unrest that God is preparing to tell one of the most beautiful stories of redemption—the act of saving, restoring, and even reclaiming what was lost.
It all starts with a decision to leave Bethlehem. Elimelech, whose name means "my God is King," takes his wife Naomi (whose name means "pleasant") and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, and journeys to Moab to escape the famine. Now, let me pause here for a moment. The names of Naomi’s sons—Mahlon and Chilion—mean “sickly” and “wasting away.” Can you imagine Naomi’s heart, heavy with worry and prayer for her sons even before they left? Perhaps she spent countless nights on her knees, praying for their health and protection, feeling the weight of it all.
They find themselves in Moab—a place steeped in idolatry, with a scandalous history that dates back to Lot’s incestuous relationship with his eldest daughter. Even though fleeing to Moab might have seemed practical in the moment, it wasn’t a decision grounded in faith. They weren’t just leaving behind a land of famine—they were leaving behind the presence of God’s people. And that’s a loss too deep to ignore.
And then, tragedy strikes. Elimelech dies, and after ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion die as well. Naomi is left a widow in a foreign land, with only her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, for company. Three women, grieving, vulnerable, and childless, navigating a world that feels harsh and uncaring. I can’t help but imagine Naomi’s heart feeling like dry, cracked ground—parched, broken, and bitter.
But even in the midst of her grief, Naomi hears that the Lord has blessed Judah with food once again, and so she decides to return to Bethlehem. How long had they been gone? Maybe ten years, or perhaps even longer. If Mahlon and Chilion weren't of marriageable ages when they left, then it could have been closer to twenty years. Regardless, Naomi’s return is marked by a deep sense of loss, but also by the faintest glimmer of hope.
As Naomi sets out for Bethlehem, Ruth and Orpah begin the journey with her. But somewhere along the way, Naomi urges them to return to their families. Why? Was it concern for their future? A mother’s love, longing for them to be remarried and cared for? Naomi’s heart must have been so heavy—not just from loss, but from the weight of feeling like she had nothing left to give. She blesses them and weeps with them, and after much pleading, Orpah kisses her goodbye and returns to her people. But Ruth, sweet, faithful Ruth, clings to Naomi.
The word “cling” here is significant. It’s the same word used in Scripture to describe how a husband should hold fast to his wife or how we are to cling to the Lord. Ruth wasn’t just showing affection—she was making a covenant. Her words, still so powerful, bring tears to my eyes:
Ruth was leaving everything behind—her home, her culture, her gods—for Naomi and for the God of Israel. This wasn’t just about loyalty to a mother-in-law—it was a bold, daring act of faith. She was choosing the unknown, the uncomfortable, the unwelcoming. And more than anything, Ruth was choosing faith over fear.
Naomi must have seen that faith. Maybe Ruth’s steadfast love was what softened the edges of Naomi’s sorrow, just enough for her to accept the company of this devoted woman. Isn’t that just like God? He uses one person’s loyalty to gently draw another’s heart back to Him.
When Naomi and Ruth finally return to Bethlehem, the whole town stirs. “Is this Naomi?” they ask. But Naomi, in the depths of her grief, responds, “Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara”—which means “bitter.” She says, “I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.” The irony, of course, is that Naomi left during a famine and returned with Ruth, her loyal daughter-in-law and future blessing. But grief clouds our eyes, doesn’t it? Naomi couldn’t yet see the blessing that had returned with her.
But here’s the beautiful thing—even in her bitterness, Naomi returned. She walked toward God’s people, toward His promises, and that’s powerful. Even when we feel broken, even when we have no joy left to offer, we can still return to God. He doesn’t require our joy, only our willingness.
And Ruth? Ruth reminds me so much of Abraham. Leaving behind everything she knew, clinging to the promises of a God she had only just come to know, trusting that there was more for her than what she had left behind. That’s faith—trusting even when we don’t have the answers, believing that God has something better for us than what we left behind.
Like Naomi, we may never fully understand the suffering we endure, but we can bring our full, raw selves to God. He isn’t afraid of our pain, our questions, or our bitterness. He would rather us wrestle with Him than wander away from Him. There’s something sacred in that struggle—something He can work with. God can handle our broken hearts, and it’s often through those cracks that His light shines brightest.
This is only the beginning of Ruth’s story, but already it’s full of lessons—about loyalty, loss, faith, and the quiet, redemptive hand of God weaving beauty through pain.
Stay tuned—there’s so much more to come!
Add comment
Comments
I love this, I am looking forward to what comes next
Ruth was my mother's favorite book in the Bible. What a wondrous story. Im going to enjoy these ver much! Thank you my darling
Thank you so much for your sweet comments! I can't wait to submit the next chapter.
Naomi and Ruth are both wonderful examples of our calling as believers to walk by faith not by sight. I look forward to reading the next installment of their story.
Lovely and meaningful.