Ruth 1:1-5
Naomi Widowed
1 In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. 3 But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, 5 and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.
Like most short stories, the main characters are quickly introduced. Then after the introduction, their personalities are developed to make and add to the storyline. In today’s passage, the writer is introducing the time and place of the story, the setting, and of course, the main characters. In Ruth 1:1, it is important to note that the time of the story was when the judges ruled Israel before Israel had kings. According to the Book of Judges, that was a period of darkness, a rejection of God, and apostasy that permeated throughout the land of Israel. Judges 17:6 and 21:25 (which is the last verse of the book), described the times as uncontrollable mayhem because “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” Against this dark and dismal backdrop, we have the story of Ruth.
The story opened and began in the town of Bethlehem of Judah. However, due to a famine in the land, Elimelech and his wife, Naomi, took their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, and went to sojourn in the land of Moab due to the famine. This is where the story is taking place in today’s passage, in the land of Moab.
To add interest to the story, the characters’ Hebrew names are significant and the Hebrew readers of the story would immediately take notice. For example, Elimelech’s name means, “God is my king” in the Hebrew language. This name is a testament to God’s intended plan that Israel was to be ruled by God and not by a king, which is called a theocracy. Naomi means “beautiful”. This name is also important. We will see Naomi’s struggles and why she does not want to be called “beautiful” anymore. However, by God’s providence, we will see why her name is important to the story. Additionally, to also set the stage and occasion for the story, are the meanings of Naomi’s two sons who married Moabite women. After their untimely death, they left their wives childless and widows. Mahlon means “to be sickly” in Hebrew, and Chilion means “pining”, or “wasting away”. Naomi’s sons’ names emphasize the dire times that plagued Israel because of their rejection of God. Again, these names add significance to the story as we see how Ruth, a Moabitess, was actually the virtuous woman who walked by faith in God, who is called “Yahweh”, the national Hebrew God. And finally, it is also important to note the meaning of Ruth, which is, “compassionate friend.” And that is what she truly was! As we shall see in tomorrow’s passage, Ruth was the daughter-in-law of Naomi who demonstrated both compassion and friendship. In comparison to Ruth, is her sister-in-law, Orpah. The Hebrew meaning of Orpah’s name is a “gazelle” or “the back of the neck.” Figuratively, the name refers to the action of looking back (maybe, toward her homeland of Moab?). Hmmm… We shall see! All these Hebrew names add to and help the author set the stage for this beautiful love story between a man and woman, as well as a love story between God and those who are the true Israelites, who walk by faith in Him. The story at first seems to be a tragedy. However, the Sovereign Creator God is in control of all things! Praise God!
As for the story’s setting, Elimelech and Naomi take their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, to escape the famine in their hometown of Bethlehem. They went to Moab, where they sojourned for 10 years. The story takes place after Naomi loses her husband and her two children. Naomi is left with no one to support her. All she has left are her two daughter-in-laws who are not Hebrew but are from Moab. This setting sets the stage for Naomi’s demise. As we put ourselves in the place of Naomi, we can hardly fathom how we would survive if we were in her place. Yes, we also have afflictions in our lives, each according to what the Lord has providentially planned. This introductory paragraph already has us sitting on the edge of our seats. Right now, we all have more questions than answers. For example, what is Naomi going to do? Is she going to stay in Moab? Will she return to Bethlehem of Judah? What will her two daughter-in-laws do now? How will Naomi support and take care of herself and her two daughter-in-laws?
In application, we must come to rest in the comfort that our Sovereign Lord God is in control. Afflictions cause tragedies to happen. The New Testament writers tell us that suffering will come, but we should not fear, but be joyful in spite of our trials. Romans 5:3-5 says, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” 1 Peter 5:10 says, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” And 1 Peter 1:6-7 says, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” In our trials and afflictions, we can rejoice. And thankfully, we also have an Advocate and a Comforter in our times of need.
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Loving and Righteous Lord and Savior, I thank You for Your lovingkindness. I praise You for giving us the Holy Spirit to comfort, lead, and guide us in all truth of Scripture. I confess that I would quickly become anxious when my plans do not work out as I planned. Help me to realize that You know the plans for me and that You will complete Your work in me. Help me to come to You wholeheartedly, trusting only in You. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen!
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Wherever He Leads I’ll Go! by B. B. McKinney in 1936
