The Book of Ruth, Chapter 1, tells the story of Naomi, her two sons, and her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, in the land of Moab. Initially, Naomi’s family leaves Bethlehem due to a famine and moves to Moab. There, Naomi’s sons marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Unfortunately, Naomi’s husband and her two sons die, leaving her and her daughters-in-law as widows.

• Verses 1-5: Introduction of Naomi’s family, their move to Moab, and the deaths of Naomi’s husband and sons.
• Verses 6-14: Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem after hearing that the Lord had provided food for His people. She urges her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and remarry. Orpah eventually decides to stay, but Ruth refuses to leave Naomi.
• Verses 15-18: Ruth’s famous declaration of loyalty to Naomi: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (v. 16). Ruth’s commitment symbolizes faithfulness, love, and dedication.
• Verses 19-22: Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem. Naomi expresses her bitterness and sorrow over her losses, changing her name to Mara, meaning “bitter.”

Life applications from Ruth Chapter 1:

1. Loyalty and Commitment: Ruth’s decision to stay with Naomi exemplifies true loyalty and commitment, teaching us the importance of steadfastness to family and loved ones, even in hard times.
2. Faith in God: Despite the harsh circumstances, Naomi and Ruth show a deep faith in God. Their story encourages us to trust in God’s plan, even when we face personal tragedies or difficult transitions.
3. The Power of Choice: Ruth’s choice to leave her homeland and adopt Naomi’s people and God as her own demonstrates the power and impact of personal decisions on our lives and the lives of others.
4. Dealing with Loss: Naomi’s grief and her candid expression of feeling bitter and empty highlight the human experience of dealing with loss and the importance of expressing and working through grief.
5. Providence and Hope: The chapter ends with Naomi and Ruth arriving in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest, hinting at new beginnings and hope, reminding us that even in the darkest times, there is the possibility of renewal and redemption.

Ruth 1 offers profound lessons on loyalty, faith, the importance of choices, dealing with loss, and the hope of redemption, themes that are as relevant today as they were in biblical times.