Ruth 1
1Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
2And 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 Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
3And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
5And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
6Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.
7Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
8And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
9The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
10And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
11And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
13Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
14And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
16And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or 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:
17Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
18When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
19So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
20And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
21I went out full and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
22So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
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p>Commentary:
Today’s story opens with a lady named Naomi, whose husband and two sons passed away. Naomi was living the greatest pain she had ever known. She was grieving beyond words. She decided to leave the city that her family had called home, to return to the place where she grew up. She planned to leave her two daughters-in-law behind so that they could remarry and hopefully live happy lives. One of her daughters-in-law, Ruth, refused to leave Naomi. She was so committed to Naomi and to serving God with her that she sacrificed opportunities to pursue her own happiness. As you read today’s story for yourself, ask yourself whether you know anyone who needs community like Naomi did. Spend some time praying for them. How is God leading you to serve them?
Study the Scriptures with Ben Jennings 
Essentially, Ruth tells Naomi- “‘I’m with you, no matter what happens” during one of Naomi’s most difficult moments in life. What a great thing!
2 Questions:
1. Do you have someone who has your back like that?
2. Are you that kind of person for someone else?
Good to think about!
See you guys at church!
By the way- When Naomi says not to call her by Naomi, but to call her by another name- Marah- what is she saying? Why is she trying to change her name?
I have no idea…maybe because she doesnt want the name she had when her boys and husband died??
You can figure it out by googling the two names. 🙂
First of all what faith Ruth has! We need to have that faith like Ruth
She does have a lot of faith. The rest of that book talks about how that the faith she had moved to God!
I think that what Ruth did was very nice she had a lot of faith she sacrificed everything that was important to her for serving the lord and to go with Naomi….and Blake is right we do need to have faith like Ruth had.
Well the first thing is that I agree with Mafalda about her changing her name. But what Ruth did was really cool cause, she droped everything to go with Naomi and that is cool cause she did what the Lord told her to do. That is what I got out of it! Oh and we do need to have faith so I agree with Blake! 🙂
Yeeaa!!! Someone agreed with me 🙂
Lol! 😀
Mafalda, you’re comments have been so insiteful the last two days. I wonder if it has anything to do with you getting saved? So cool!
Thank you 🙂
Mafalda- we missed you today! If you ever need a ride please give me a call!
Thank you!! 🙂
So i think this story is awesome! Naomi was going through the hardest time in her life, losing her husband and two sons. The only people she had left were her two daughter-in-laws, and she was willing to give them up so they could have better lives. What Ruth did was so brave and unselfish. She said to Naomi that she would be there for her, and continue to serve God! She had her back 100%, which i think is so awesome 🙂 I know in my life that person would be Melanie. To anyone that knows us, you know we are pretty inseperable! I have her back, and she has mine 24/7. It’s so cool to have relationships like that!! I hope i can be that person to someone else, because i know so many of you guys at Sonshine have mine!
Btw Pastor Ben- love the new website! 🙂
Good stuff Linds! Glad you like it!
This story is incredible! Naomi had lost her husband, Elimelech, and her two sons, Mahlon and Chillion. Naomi was devestated and she didn’t know what to do. The only people she had left in her life were her two daughter in laws Orpah… not Oprah 😉 and Ruth. Naomi wanted to leave the land she lived in because she couldn’t stand the atmosphere and wanted to get away. She told Orpah and Ruth to leave her ans to go find a better life for themselves, but Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi. Ruth wanted to be there for Naomi and help her get through the tough time. She wanted to help Namoi with her walk with God and help Naomi to put her trust and faith in God. Ruth was an amazing friend to Naomi and helped her get through everything! Naoim wanted to be called Mara instead of Naomi, because when she was “Naomi” she went through a very hard time and felt like giving up, but now that she’s in Bethlehem, and a stronger person, being called Mara gives her the closure that she made it and that she can be happy again!
I know i definetly have someone that has my back like Ruth had Naomi’s and it’s my sister Lindsey. Linds, and i have been through so many ups and downs and have been through a lot together as sisters and nothing has torn us apart because we are the closest now then we ever have been! I know nothing can never make us not be sisters, but having my best friend as my sister is the coolest thing in the world! I know she’ll be here for me always! I know Lindsey already mentioned that I’m here for her, but I know i definetly have Alexis’ back! She’s my best friend and I know she has my back and I will always have hers! We’ve also been through a lot and that’s just made our friendship stronger! I also want all of you guys to know, I’m here for all of you! I know we have an amazing youth group and I love all of you so much! Seriously I love spending time with all of you guys and I will always be here! 🙂
Believe it or not, that is where Oprah got her name. 🙂 Her mom just switched the letters.
That is part of the reason she switched her name, but your missing something. Look it up! 🙂
I’m missing something to the story of why Oprah’s mom switched the letters, or I’m missing somethin in my comments about the devo?
What was Naomi saying when she talked about changing names? (hint: look at the meaning of the two names!)
Loyalty is important. To me it means you stick with someone through thick and thin — through the good times and the bad…….even when it costs us something of great value. Wow – its an awesome thing when you know you have someone that loves you and will stick with you no matter what you are going through. I am truly thankful that Jesus is that kind of friend. When you find Jesus —- He’s a friend for life!
Jesus said: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13).
What a great love He has for us.
Great verse Tim. You are so right! Eventually, any person will let you down. Even your brother. But not Jesus. Good stuff!
I really love this story & I love how loyal Ruth was. It must have been a hard time for Ruth too, but she stuck with Naomi!! I know Lindsey & Melanie have my back, and I will always have theirs too, as well as everyone else in the youth group 😀
We are here for you Alexis! We’ve got your back!
WHAT I GOT OUT OF TODAYS STORY WAS THAT BECAUSE NAOMI’S FAMILY HAD DIED SHE WANTED TO JUST LEAVE ALL OF IT BEHIND AND START NEW AND DIFFERENTLY WHICH IN SOME WAYS WAS A GOOD IDEA BUT IN SOME WAYS IT WAS BAD. BUT, SHE ALSO LEFT HER TWO DAUGHTER IN-LAWS BEHIND ONE OF THEM DIDNT WANT AND THAT WAS RUTH AND THE REASON WAS BECAUSE NAOMI WAS SUCH A GOOD SPIRIT AND HAD GREAT FAITH IN GOD.
Why would you say it could be a bad idea?
Andrew- You know that Chris Tomlin song- “Where you go I’ll go, Where you stay I’ll stay. Where you move I’ll move. I will follow you…”. It’s from this passage!
When you guys figure out what the names mean its going to open up a whole new conversation! Seriously it awesome look it up!
Naomi means sweet and Mara means bitter.
Right?
Ding Ding Ding Ding 🙂 We have a winner 🙂
Yay! Finally I got it! 🙂
“Oprah” I’m so dumb 😛
You’re not dumb, just confused! 🙂
Yes! Thanks for helping me understand!! 🙂
I really like the story of Ruth. It has a different meaning when you are actually married. I can relate to Ruth wanting to stay with her mother in law. She loved her and knew she didn’t have anyone else to turn to. I would hope that I would do the same thing if that ever happened. One thing to consider is that Ruth wasn’t wallowing in self pitty because her husband died too. She could have just felt sorry for herself but she turned her caring heart toward her mother in law.
The application for me is that when I go through trials I shouldn’t focus on myself but more about what glory can God get from the situation. Ruth seemed very selfless and that is something I need to work on on a daily basis.
It Does take on a different significance when you get married. I think that marriage helps people to not be as selfish, and look to meet the needs of your family. I love you Megan Renee.
“I’m in love, i’m in love and I don’t care who knows about it….Oh, who is the elf?”
The elf is my husband! #BL… Buddy
So verse 21 intrigues me! “I went out full and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?” She is saying she went out on a limb and God did not take care of her! So that’s why she wants to be called Mara! She thought God want taking care of her and was bitter because of what she thought God had done to her! When all along God had provided Ruth to take care of her. So God was taking care of Naomi. I find it interesting because I think I do the same thing sometimes! I think “God why have you done this too me” when all along God is saying “hey, trust me I am taking care of you and look at what I am trying to teach you!” God promises to take care of us, but in His way so when things do not go the way we want them to we shouldn’t get bitter with God like Naomi! But we should look to see how exactly God is taking care of us and look to see what He is trying to teach us through it! Idk That’s my take!
It’s like she was looking for the supernatural miracle by God, when God had already providentially taken care of her needs through a person. Good point!
Sometimes we human beings do this. When it comes to the light of truth, we’re looking for matches and the sun is staring us in the face.
Hey
I think Ruth was very unselfish. I definitely think there are a lot of people in my life that have my back. My husband, my bestie Connie, definitely my mom and dad, and I think even my young children. I am there for all of them and my Christian family. I am an over protective person so I would be there if someone needed me. It would be easy to go from sweet to bitter if tragedy struck. I don’t judge Naomi I can understand. I would like to think I would be more like Ruth. Sometimes we don’t know how we would react until we are put in a situation.
I think you’re right about not knowing how we would react until we are in the situation. She did just lose her husband and sons. That’s pretty crazy.
That being said, it’s good to learn and rely on the things that are true “in the light” so that when you are in the dark you can remember what you knew in the light.
I thought the story was enlighting. Most daughter-in-laws would leave there mother-in-law. I think it shows the bond that Ruth and Naomi had formed over the time. I thought the name change thing was ironic. Not only is Naomi/Mara bitter about how she thought God just left her, she is also bitter for not seeing how much Ruth cares for her. I think she wanted to change her name to show how she felt about everything that went on, and how she would feel for a while. I feel bad that Naomi couldn’t see what God gave her, even though she lost some loved ones.
I think the person that would stand by me no matter what like Ruth did would be my friend Forrest. I can tell him anything and he won’t freak out on me. We have an awesome brother-sister relantionship, even though we aren’t related. We stand by each other through thick and thin. I think I’m “Ruth” to most of my friends, or just people I met in general. I don’t open up to people for a while, but I can make people I barely know spill their guts out to me. I guess I’m just easy to talk too. I’m not going to judge them by what they tell me and I even if I don’t like the person the much or don’t know them well, I usually try to connect with them and stay in it for the long haul until they feel better or get help.
So night or day I’m here for anyone, because I know alot of you would have mine if I asked.
I think you are right about Naomi’s bitterness. Bitterness can be really harmful and destructive. Naomi needed to find a way to deal with her loss. I think that is why it is important for us to have someone like Ruth to help us when we experience things that could make us bitter.
Jackie- thanks for doing this again. You have some interesting things to say, and it is good to help you grow!