Naomi Returns with Ruth: The Awakening of a Faithful Remnant
Ruth 1
Ruth 1
Ruth 1. This chapter traces Naomi’s road to restoration, and it is a picture of the Lord’s work in the believer to bring about full repentance and restoration. She had gone out from Bethlehem full and was brought back empty, having lost her husband, sons, and inheritance in Canaan. The work of restoration began with God, not with Naomi: Jehovah visited His people with bread, and the news of His goodness reached her in the fields of Moab. That goodness stirred her to arise, leave Moab, and return to the place from which she had departed. This is a picture of repentance. Along the way, Ruth made her own choice of faith, leaving her people and her gods to cling to Naomi and Jehovah. God magnifies His own grace in reaching out to bless the stranger. Naomi returned broken and without justifying herself, acknowledging both her own departure and the hand of God in bringing her home. She and Ruth arrived with tremendous need, but it was the beginning of barley harvest, and God was going to provide beyond anything they could imagine!
The Famine, Naomi in Moab (1:1-5)
CHAPTER 1
1 And it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man went from Bethlehem-Judah, to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. 2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem-Judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. DARBY
vv.1-2 The Famine and Elimelech’s Sojourn in Moab. The book opens “in the days when the judges ruled,” showing that the dark condition described in the preceding book is the setting of the book of Ruth. A famine had come upon the land, no doubt because of the departure that we read of in Judges (1 King 8:35). In response, Elimelech left Bethlehem-Judah, the future birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2), with Naomi and her two sons to sojourn in Moab. Bethlehem means “the House of Bread” . Moab was distantly related to Israel through Lot, but in character Moab pictures mere profession without reality, and especially the characteristics of laziness and pride; “Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his reads, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel” (Jer. 48:11), and “We have heard of the arrogance of Moab,” (Isa. 15:6). This family was seeking to escape the difficulties and exercises of a famine in the land of promise: it is uncomfortable to be poured from vessel to vessel. The flesh looks for an easy way out of a trial. It is easier to continue in a false position than to remain in a right one, because remaining in a right position requires exercise of soul. What Elimelech intended as a “sojourn” became a settled condition: “they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.” They had left the land of promise. Their names give a hint as to the effect of their decision. Elimelech means ‘My God is King’ and Naomi means ‘Pleasant’, while their boys names mean ‘Sickness’ and ‘Wasting Away’. The significance of this departure becomes clearer later when Naomi herself says, “I went out full, and Jehovah has brought me home again empty” (v.21). The chapter will trace the gracious work of Jehovah in bringing Naomi back from the place to which she had departed.
Famines in the Word of God. In the Old Testament God allowed several great famines to touch the land of Canaan, and these were allowed for different reasons. A famine naturally follows a time of drought, when food and water are scarce. When there is plenty of resources, the world continues on its course without turning to God. Similarly, there is a tendency for Christians to grow more independent from God. But when famine arises, we are forced to turn to the Lord, and address the matters that concern His interests. In one case, famine was used to bring Joseph's brothers to repentance, in another case, famine was used to cause David to deal with a serious matter from the past. In the New Testament, we read of a famine that God allowed to make the prodigal son feel his wretched condition, and bring about repentance. We have Abraham's famine (Genesis 12:10), Isaac's famine (Genesis 26:1), Joseph's famine (Genesis 41:27), Naomi's famine (Ruth 1:1), David's famine (2 Sam. 21:1), Ahab's famine (1 Kings 17:1), Elisha's famine (2 Kings 4:38), Zedekiah's famine (2 Kings 25:3), the Prodigal's famine (Luke 15:14), the Assembly's famine (Acts 11:28).
3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them Moabitish wives; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the second Ruth: and they abode there about ten years. 5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also, both of them; and the woman was left of her two children and of her husband. DARBY
vv.3-5 Naomi Loses Her Family. What began as a sojourn in Moab extended for about ten years. During that time Naomi experienced the loss of her family. Elimelech died, and then his sons took Moabitish wives. This was certainly a false step for an Israelite. It was an inevitability given their position in Moab. However, God is above even our failures, and one of these wives would become a woman of faith, and part of the royal line of David. Then Mahlon and Chilion also died. Naomi was finally “left of her two children and of her husband.” She had gone out full, but had lost everything in a natural way. It was a hard path (Prov. 13:15). This would be difficult for anyone, but it was especially hard for an Israelite woman whose earthly hopes were wrapped up in her descendants. The death of Elimelech is separated in time from the death of the two sons. Perhaps the death of Elimelech represents the captivity of Judah and the deaths of Mahlon and Chilion represent the more final judgment after the crucifixion of Israel’s Messiah (AD 70). As a result, Israel is left as a desolate widow, without any means of sustenance.
Preparation to Leave for Judah, Ruth and Orpah Separate (1:6-18)
6 And she arose, she and her daughters-in-law, and returned from the fields of Moab; for she had heard in the fields of Moab how that Jehovah had visited his people to give them bread. 7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she had been, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. DARBY
vv.6-7 Naomi Departs for Judah. Naomi’s restoration began with Jehovah: “she had heard in the fields of Moab how that Jehovah had visited his people to give them bread.” It was the goodness of God that led to return (Rom. 2:4). In a similar way, it was the remembrance of the plenty that brought the prodigal home. Under the law, Jehovah had graciously provided for the poor, the stranger, and the widow by commanding Israel to leave the gleanings of their harvest for them (Lev. 19:9-10; 23:22; Deut. 24:19-22). There was no such provision in Moab. Naomi first “arose,” and then “went forth out of the place where she had been. ” Restoration required action and a clean break with Moab. Many say, like the prodigal, “I will arise and go” but not all of them do so. This response was the result of God’s gracious work toward Naomi. She had not first sought Jehovah; Jehovah’s goodness reached her in the far country and drew her back toward the place from which she had departed. This would have been a long journey, with time to reflect. So with repentance, there is an initial turning completely around, but followed by a process of realization and self-judgment. It is important to get the root of our failure: not only to understand what we did but why we did it (e.g. Peter, who thought he loved Jesus more than the others).
8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each to her mother's house. Jehovah deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 Jehovah grant you that ye may find rest, each in the house of her husband. And she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice and wept. 10 And they said to her, We will certainly return with thee to thy people. 11 And Naomi said, Return, my daughters: why will ye go with me? Are there yet sons in my womb, that they could be your husbands? 12 Return, my daughters, go; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, should I even have a husband to-night, and should I also bear sons, 13 would ye wait on that account till they were grown? Would ye stay on that account from having husbands? No, my daughters, for I am in much more bitterness than you; for the hand of Jehovah is gone out against me. DARBY
vv.8-13 Ruth and Orpah Tested. As they journeyed, Naomi urged Ruth and Orpah to return to Moab, reasoning that she had no further prospects to offer them. It wasn’t as if she could have more sons for these girls to marry. This brought the two women to a point of decision. If they continued with Naomi, there was no natural advantage in doing so; they would have to leave behind their people, homes, and prospects in Moab. Naomi was deeply conscious of the Lord’s hand upon her, saying, “the hand of Jehovah is gone out against me.” She had not yet reached the fuller understanding expressed later that “Jehovah has brought me home again,” but she was beginning to recognize His hand in what had happened. This was a testimony to Ruth and Orpah: the God of the universe was interested in Naomi! The test would reveal whether Ruth and Orpah were attached merely to Naomi or had the faith to leave Moab behind.
14 And they lifted up their voice and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clave to her. 15 And she said, Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back to her people and to her gods: return after thy sister-in-law. 16 And Ruth said, Do not intreat me to leave thee, to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest I will go, and where thou lodgest I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God; 17 where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried. Jehovah do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part me and thee! 18 And when she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, she left off speaking to her. DARBY
vv.14-18 Orpah Departs, but Ruth Clings to Naomi. When tested, a vital difference was revealed between these two women. Orpah loved Naomi, and kissed her, but she returned “to her people and to her gods.” The Thessalonians are a contrast to Orpah, as they turned to God from idols (1 Thess. 1:9). A kiss is an outward display of affection, but it can be deceiving (e.g. Judas, or Absalom). This departure of Orpah became a fresh test for the remaining sister. Ruth, however, “clung to her.” It wasn’t merely affection for Naomi, but went far beyond: “thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” Ruth was prepared to leave Moab and all that belonged to her former life behind, identifying herself completely with Naomi, the people of Israel, and Jehovah their God. There was nothing outwardly attractive before Ruth, yet she was “stedfastly minded” to continue. That is a quality we should covet: to be steadily minded! Perhaps she saw in the work in Naomi’s life the reality of her faith. A Christian who is being chastened by the Lord can be a powerful testimony! In Naomi’s restoration, God was not only bringing her home, but in grace was bringing Ruth with her. Prophetically, Ruth represents the faithful remnant of Israel who trusts in Jehovah, while Orpah represents the remainder of the unbelieving nation. Like Ruth leaving Moab, the remnant will turn their back on the comforts, covetousness, and idolatry of the Gentile world, and return as foreigners to the God of Israel, acknowledging no merit of their own, and staking all their hopes on Him, without material proofs of future prosperity.
The Journey and Arrival at Bethlehem (1:19-22)
19 And they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they came to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and the women said, Is this Naomi? 20 And she said to them, Call me not Naomi — call me Mara; for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and Jehovah has brought me home again empty. Why do ye call me Naomi, seeing Jehovah has brought me low, and the Almighty has afflicted me? DARBY
vv.19-21 Naomi Returns a Broken Woman. Naomi finally arrived back at Bethlehem: a changed and broken woman. She said, “Call me not Naomi — call me Mara,” which means “bitterness,” a possible reference to the waters of Mara that Israel encountered (Ex. 15). She acknowledged the bitterness through which she had passed. Naomi in this way is a picture of Israel, outside of their land through disobedience, and feeling the bitterness of the consequences of their choices, yet brought home again in grace. It is nice to see that the name ‘Mara’ did not stick. The Spirit of God continues to call her ‘Naomi’ and so did the townspeople of Bethlehem. Also, she confessed, “I went out full,” taking responsibility for her departure without blaming others (including her husband). Although she had left in a time of famine, yet now she could recognize that the poorest of God’s people is rich compared to the wealthy of this world. Naomi acknowledged that “Jehovah has brought me home again.” She justified God in His dealings with her. She did not justify herself. This is a mark of true repentance (Job 42:5-6). She recognized His chastening hand and His gracious work in bringing her back. Restoration is seen in bringing her back to the very place from which she had departed.
Repentance in the Life of Naomi. Confession and forgiveness are acts, but repentance and restoration are processes. We can see the process of repentance in a number of examples in scripture. The prodigal son, Judah, David, and Naomi are all examples. The Red Heifer offering gives is the process of restoration to communion following defilement, and it is also applicable. Let’s consider the steps of repentance in the life of Naomi in Ruth 1. Before any step was taken, someone told Naomi that God had visited His people. She heard something! It was just the beginning of harvest, but faith lays hold of blessing, even though it was a very small thing.
- She “rose” (v.6). We must begin the process by rising up into action. Do we want to remain in our miserable condition of sin, or do we want to do something about it? We have to act.
- She “went forth” (v.7). Naomi made a clean break with Moab. We cannot make progress if we continue on with the sin. We must put separation between ourselves and that which is not honoring God.
- She said, “It greiveth me much” (v.13). Naomi realized that her actions brought death and sorrow to others.
- She said, “Call me Mara” (v.20) – There was real genuine brokenness.
- She said, “I went out full” – Naomi made a full and frank confession of her wrong. Not blaming others, such as Elimelech.
- She said, “The hath testified against me” – She justified God about everything that had happened in her life.
- She said, “The Lord has brought me home” – Naomi recognized that it was God working in her soul.
- She returned to “Bethlehem” – She returned to the point of departure.
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the fields of Moab; and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of the barley-harvest. DARBY
v.22 Timing of their return: barley-harvest. The chapter closes on a hopeful note. Naomi had returned empty and broken, but she had returned to the right place, and she was not alone: “Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law” had returned with her. According to the Law, “An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation they shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD forever” (Deut. 23:3). However, Ruth did not come as a Moabite, but as an Israelite. Their arrival was also according to God’s perfect wisdom, for “they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of the barley-harvest.” It was only the beginning of harvest, but there was already evidence that God had blessing in store. Barley harvest was the very first crop to be harvested, and it speaks of the foundation truths of Christianity, like we have in the book of Romans. So for new believers (Ruth as an example), the foundation truths of the Gospel are important to get a hold of.