The book of Ruth is a beautiful and moving story of fear, pain, sorrow, loyalty, and love. It speaks powerfully of God’s redemptive love in redeeming a broken and sinful world. We see this redemption in the lives of the main characters, which points to the redeeming love of God. The book opens with the words: “In the days when the Judges ruled . . .” The book of Ruth helps us see that what happened in the days of the Judges was not all dark and evil. It also helps us see that not all the people at that time were evil. But the book has greater purposes than these. The book of Ruth is beautifully written, and its message is profound. The book explores the mystery of God’s dealing with people and the healing power of human kindness. The narrator of the story only uses the name of the Lord twice. It is used at the beginning of the story at 1:6 and at the end at 4:13, thus framing the story with the name of the Lord, showing that he is in control. The rest of the book extols the beauty of human kindness. But its greatest purpose is that the book points to David and from David to Jesus Christ. The book tells a touching story in four chapters that can be thought of as four episodes in the story, and each episode has three scenes each that powerfully communicate its message.
1. Episode 1: The Mystery of Providence (chapter 1)
2. Episode 2: The Gift of Loyal Love (chapter 2)
3. Episode 3: Redeeming Integrity (chapter 3)
4. Episode 4: Fullness of Blessing (chapter 4)
This article is the first of four, covering the four episodes of the book one episode at a time. In this first episode, we see the mystery of God’s providence. It is said that God works in mysterious ways, and it is surely true in the book of Ruth. God’s providence is his provision, care, and guidance of his world and his people for his purposes. In this first episode, as in every episode, we notice three scenes: (1) Scene One: Famine in the Land (1:1-5). (2) Scene Two: The Lord Visited His People (1:6-18). (3) Scene Three: Naomi Arrives Bitter (1:19-22).
The story opens with the description of a man, his wife, and two sons who live in the town of Bethlehem during a time of severe famine. They move to the land of Moab, Israel’s ancient enemy. There the man dies, after which his two sons marry Moabite women, and the two sons also die. The man’s wife, Naomi, bereft of her husband and sons, hears that the Lord has given food to his people. So Naomi prepares to return to Bethlehem (Bethlehem means house of bread). She exhorts her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and have a good life. One turns back, but the other, Ruth, refuses – pledging her loyalty to Naomi and her God. When Naomi and Ruth arrive at Bethlehem, the women of the city are thrilled to see her. But she responds to them, “Do not call me Naomi (meaning pleasant) call me Mara (meaning bitter), for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.” The first episode ends with the words: “And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.” God is up to something.
In the first scene (1:1-5), we see the principle that people seek security in the insecurity of a fallen world. Famine came to the land. Elimelech felt the insecurity of that reality. He feared for his family. Everybody faces insecurity. Insecurity usually begins on the outside and works its way to the inside of a person. The circumstance of life has a way of getting inside a person’s heart. Insecurity is a feeling of fear, worry, or anxiety, while a sense of security in the heart comes from trust. When we leave the security of God’s will, we face an insecure world, as Elimelech experienced. But real security is only found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. In an insecure world, the Lord is our only security. He is our rock.
In the second scene (1:6-18), we see the principle that devotion to God’s will in insecure situations reveals true faith. We see this in Ruth’s decision to return with Naomi. That decision held little hope for Ruth’s future life. Devotion to God in difficulty is not easy and has risks. Devotion to God requires trust in God’s promises and presence. God makes promises to his people. One of those promises is that he will be with them. He promises never to leave them or forsake them. Devotion to God, then, involves exhibiting God’s love in kindness. Ruth beautifully exhibits that love in her kindness to Naomi. Kindness has the power to change lives.
In the third and final scene (1:19-22), we see the principle that bitterness can occur when the pain of life is deep. Naomi left Bethlehem full but came back empty, or so she thought. People filter their lives through their desires, beliefs, and values. When the realities of life depart radically from our expectations, we often struggle greatly. Difficult experiences can challenge and distort our beliefs and values. It is important to allow the word of God to stabilize us in trying times. The natural reaction can be bitterness, but if God’s word really resides in our hearts, it can give us the grace to reorient ourselves to what God is doing. This emphasizes the necessity of knowing and loving God through his word.
The first episode begins and ends in Bethlehem, meaning the house of bread. Bethlehem can represent Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem. Jesus is the bread of life upon which his people feed. Jesus is the one who visits his people with the true bread they need. He is the one who deals with us in kindness. He is the one who is devoted to us and will not leave us. He is the one who turns our bitterness into joy.
