Ruth Chapter 1: Loyalty on the Road Home

Ruth 1:1–2

Back in the days when the judges were judging, at a time when there was a famine in the land, a certain man from Beit-Lechem went to live in the territory of Mo'av - he, his wife and his two sons. The man's name was Elimelekh, his wife's name was Na'omi, and his two sons were named Machlon and Kilyon; they were Efratim from Beit-Lechem in Y'hudah. They arrived in the plain of Mo'av and settled there.

This passage is a key to understanding the entire book of Ruth. These two verses tell us the time period for the events ("when the judges ruled") and also the fact that these people were Israelites (Jews). Moab was a land that was named after the son that Lot (Abraham's nephew) had with his oldest daughter (Gen. 19:30-38). Therefore, the Moabites were close to the lineage of Abraham but were not direct descendants and thus would be classified as Gentiles.

We are told that, during this time, there was a famine in Israel but it must have not happened in Moab or at least it was less severe there. This Jewish man then takes his family to live among the Gentiles, leaving the land of his people and his God behind. He could have stayed and trusted in God to sustain him and his family, but instead he chose to go to a spiritually dead place and try to provide for his own needs.

Ruth 1:3–5

Elimelekh, Na'omi's husband, died; and she was left, she and her two sons. They took wives for themselves from the women of Mo'av; the name of the one was 'Orpah; and the name of the other was Rut. They lived there for about ten years. Then Machlon and Kilyon died, both of them; and the woman was left with neither her two sons nor her husband.

From this passage, we see that Elimelech, who had gone to Moab to live because of famine, stayed and in fact died there. Then, the sons married Moabite (Gentile) women, going against God's instructions in Deuteronomy 7. The sons also died in Moab and Naomi was left with her sons' wives as her only relatives there.

We can see from this passage how a little step away from God and living a holy life can lead to further disobedience. Because of Elimelech's decision to go to live among the Moabites for food, his sons grew up and married Moabite women. We probably can all look back on some of our decisions and see how a seemingly small and right step has in fact led us into disobedience of God. The key is to constantly be in prayer, seeking God's will, and listening for his gentle correction. If his gentle warnings are not heeded, we can find ourselves further away from God and deeper in disobedience, just as happened to the men in this passage.

Ruth 1:6–7

So she prepared to return with her daughters-in-law from the plain of Mo'av; for in the plain of Mo'av she had heard how ADONAI had paid attention to his people by giving them food. She left the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law and took the road leading back to Y'hudah.

Naomi heard that God was taking care of his people in the land that he had given them, so she set off to return home. There is great promise and reassurance in these verses as we are reminded that God does take care of the needs of his people. Each of us today must stop and remember that all we have comes from God, and he has promised to take care of those who trust in Yeshua Messiah just as he promised the people of Israel.

Ruth 1:8–10

Na'omi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Each of you, go back to your mother's house. May ADONAI show grace to you, as you did to those who died and to me. May ADONAI grant you security in the home of a new husband." Then she kissed them, but they began weeping aloud. They said to her, "No; we want to return with you to your people."

Here we see a beautiful picture of loyalty as Naomi tells the women to go back to their mother's homes but they want to go with Naomi. We should remember that these women were saying that they would go with her to a foreign land where they would not be looked upon as equal citizens. They were Gentiles as well as widows with no visible sign of support, but they were going to stand by Naomi.

It is also a good example for us and a chance for each of us to ask ourselves this question: When we accepted Yeshua as our savior (married him just as these women married Naomi's sons), did we make this same declaration of loyalty, and are we willing to go in a direction that may not make sense to us? Your answer to that question can help you to assess the condition of your relationship with God.

Ruth 1:11–13

Na'omi said, "Go back, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb who could become your husbands? Go back, my daughters; go your way; for I'm too old to have a husband. Even if I were to say, 'I still have hope'; even if I had a husband tonight and bore sons; would you wait for them until they grew up? Would you refuse to marry, just for them? No, my daughters. On your behalf I feel very bitter that the hand of ADONAI has gone out against me."

In this passage, Naomi tries to reason with the young ladies and tell them that it does not make sense to go with her. Now, they have a choice to make; will they go with what they know God is telling them or will they go with what makes sense to them?

We, as Christians, many times have to ask ourselves this same question as to whether we obey the tug of God on our hearts or do what the world says makes sense. Faith is demonstrated in making the decision to follow God's direction in spite of what either our own minds or anyone else may say.

Ruth 1:14

Again they wept aloud. Then 'Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye. But Rut stuck with her.

After listening to Naomi, Orpah decided that she was right and decided to go back to her people, but Ruth decided to stay. As we shall see, Ruth will be blessed by her decision while nothing else is heard of Orpah. When we choose to follow our own understanding we may lose out on many of God's blessings.

Ruth 1:15–18

She said, "Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her god; go back, after your sister-in-law." But Rut said, "Don't press me to leave you and stop following you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die; and there I will be buried. May ADONAI bring terrible curses on me, and worse ones as well, if anything but death separates you and me." When Na'omi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.

In this passage, we see the depth of Ruth's commitment to Naomi. This settled the matter and Naomi gave up trying to talk her out of going with her. This is a good example of the Christian walk as well. When we come to Yeshua Messiah our commitment should be like that of Ruth, and that is why this book is such a beautiful picture of salvation and the Christian walk.

We should all regularly stop and evaluate the depth of our commitment. Do we let others discourage us from the walk or do we stand firm just as Ruth did?

Ruth 1:19–21

So the two of them went on until they came to Beit-Lechem. When they arrived in Beit-Lechem, the whole city was stirred with excitement over them. The women asked, "Can this be Na'omi?" "Don't call me Na'omi [pleasant]," she answered them; "call me Marah [bitter], because Shaddai has made my life very bitter. I went out full, and ADONAI has brought me back empty. Why call me Na'omi? ADONAI has testified against me, Shaddai has afflicted me."

Finally, it is settled and Ruth and Naomi make their way to Bethlehem. When they arrive there, the ladies of the town can hardly believe that it is Naomi. She had left with a full family of a husband and two young sons and returns with only a daughter-in-law.

Naomi was quick to explain that the Lord had afflicted her. We may wonder why she would say that, but it seems that she realized how they had left the land that God had given them and went to one that did not worship God. Today, we are quick to say that all of our sins were paid for by Yeshua, which is true, but sin may still have lasting consequences.

Ruth 1:22

This is how Na'omi returned, with Rut the woman from Mo'av, her daughter-in-law, accompanying her from the plain of Mo'av. They arrived in Beit-Lechem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

This verse gives us the time of Naomi and Ruth's arrival back into Bethlehem, as we are told that it was as the barley harvest was beginning. This is important as barley was the first grain to ripen in the Spring. This was a feast time as the Feast of Passover was celebrated, followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the offering of the firstfruits of the harvest. Barley was a sign of hope as the people had made it through another winter season and the ripening of the barley meant better nutrition. Barley was also the cheapest grain as most everyone could afford it.

It is interesting to note here that Ruth was the great grandmother of King David and is listed in the lineage of Yeshua Messiah (Matthew chapter one). This same time many years later would find Yeshua celebrating the Passover in an upper room with his disciples. After the Passover, during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Yeshua was crucified, removing the sins of the world and being lifted up as the Firstfruits of all men. God brought this Gentile woman with her Jewish mother-in-law to Bethlehem at this time knowing that through her descendants Yeshua would be born to be the hope of all men.