Returning Ruth

Bible Passage: Ruth 1

In this chapter we are introduced to the main characters in the story of Ruth – and we find their names are filled with irony.

The Search For Bread: The story begins with Elimelech (‘the Lord is my King’) leaving Bethlehem (‘house of bread’) with his family in search of bread in Moab, rather than in the land where God had promised them abundant provision. This hungry man searching for bread in all the wrong places is illustrative of how so many of us seek our satisfaction apart from God.

Call Me Bitter: As may be expected, things do not go well in Moab. The story turns to Elimelech’s wife Naomi, who would have had very little influence in Elimelech’s decision to move to Moab. Whilst there, Naomi is widowed and also loses her two sons, Mahlon (‘sickness’) and Chilion (‘dying’), both of whom had married Moabite women, and neither of whom had been able to have children. This left Naomi and her daughters in law in a bad way – stricken by grief, vulnerable and with no economic means, things have not gone as Naomi wanted. Though her name means ‘pleasant’, she insists on being called Mara (‘bitter’) to reflect that bitterness that she feels – in particular, bitterness directed towards God.

The One Who Clings: The tonic to Naomi’s bitterness is found in an unexpected place – her Moabite daughter in law Ruth (‘companion’). Naomi decided the best course of action was to return to her home country and she urged her daughters in law to go back to their family homes where they could be provided for. Orpah does just this, but Ruth decides to stick with her mother in law – with all the risk and vulnerability that comes with that choice – and makes a covenant to stick with her and her God. Naomi was wrong when she claimed that she had returned empty – she had returned with Ruth, a remarkable woman who she came to realise was more to her than seven sons. Ruth is a picture of Jesus in how she stands with Naomi in her mess, covenants to always be with her, and personally takes on a position of shame and suffering in Naomi’s place to see her restored.

After Naomi returns with Ruth, the chapter ends with a glimmer of hope – the barley harvest has begun. The hunger can finally be fulfilled.

Potential Applications:

• The search for bread illustrates the experience of many of us in our spiritual lives. We long for something that is meaningful and satisfying, but often look in the wrong places. This passage invites us to bring those hungers to God and to feed on him. Perhaps you may want to take communion as a way to give expression to this, or encourage people to feed on God in worship.
• Naomi’s bitterness may resonate with people hearing the sermon. You could invite prayer for any who have been through challenges in life and feel resentment or bitterness towards the Lord.