Ruth 1:1-22

Summary of Ruth 1:1-22:

1. The Central Idea of the Text is that Ruth abandoned her birth-family and culture and entrusted herself to God, committing to care for Naomi, her mother-in-law.
2. The chapter opens with a Jewish family leaving Israel because of a famine and traveling to Moab (Ruth 1:1-2). Elimelech died sometime after entering Moab and his two sons, Malhon and Chilion, married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth, and remained there ten years until they died (Ruth 1:3-5).  Naomi heard there was food in Israel and decided to return to her homeland (Ruth 1:6-7).  Naomi then encouraged Orpah and Ruth to return to their families and remarry (Ruth 1:8-15).  After much weeping, Orpah consented, but Ruth clung to Naomi (Ruth 1:14).  Ruth then abandoned her birth-family and culture and entrusted herself to God and committed to care for Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17).  Then Naomi and Ruth traveled to Bethlehem and arrived at the beginning of the barley harvest (Ruth 1:18-22).  Naomi originally left Israel because of a food famine in the land and returned with a famine in her soul, believing God was against her (Ruth 1:20-21).  However, though Ruth had suffered greatly too—being poor, husbandless and childless—her faith in God was unshaken and the Lord would eventually bless Naomi through Ruth (Ruth 4:14-15).  Ruth’s selfless character became well known in Bethlehem (Ruth 2:11). 
3. God will, at times, permit us to leave the place He wants us to be, and after a time of suffering, will forgive and restore us when we return to Him (Isa. 55:7; Micah 7:18; cf. Luke 15:11-24). Trials and hardships provide an opportunity to live by faith and to let our lives shine for others to see (Ruth 2:11).  Faith in God lifts us above the circumstances of our lives so that we can thank Him for the things He causes that help us to be better rather than bitter (Rom. 5:1-3; 8:28; Eph. 5:20; 1 Thess. 5:18; Jam. 1:2-4).  Scripture reveals that God is not only with us (Heb. 13:5-6), but that He is for us (Rom. 8:31), and this gives us stability in our souls while living in an unstable and hostile world (Isa. 26:3-4; Matt. 6:25-34; Phil. 4:6).