When Life Turns Bitter (Ruth 1:1-22)
Have you ever had life go in a direction you didn’t expect—maybe even one you didn’t want? Ruth 1 tells the story of a woman named Naomi whose life seemed to fall apart. But it also introduces us to Ruth, a woman who chose faith and love even in the hardest moments. This first chapter of Ruth is all about loss, loyalty, and the quiet beginnings of hope.
Let’s walk through the story together and see what we can learn from it.
Famine and Loss
The story begins during a difficult time in Israel’s history, when a famine hit the land. Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and their two sons left their hometown of Bethlehem and moved to a foreign country called Moab to survive.
But things didn’t get better—they got worse. Elimelech died. Then, after Naomi’s sons married Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth, the sons also died. Naomi was left without her husband or her children. She felt completely alone and heartbroken.
Sometimes, life doesn’t go the way we planned. Tragedy, loss, or disappointment can leave us feeling like Naomi—empty and unsure of what to do next.
The Journey Home
One day, Naomi heard that the famine in Bethlehem was over. God had provided food there again. So she decided to return home.
Her daughters-in-law started the journey with her, but Naomi told them to stay in Moab and try to build new lives. Orpah listened and went back. But Ruth didn’t. She held on tightly to Naomi and refused to leave her.
This part of the story reminds us that God sometimes leads us back to places we thought we had left behind—and that even in our lowest moments, He may be doing something new.
Ruth’s Big Promise
Ruth’s response is one of the most powerful moments in the Bible. She said to Naomi:
“Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
Ruth wasn’t just saying kind words—she was making a lifelong promise. She was giving up everything familiar to walk with Naomi into an unknown future. She chose love over comfort. Faith over fear.
What an incredible example. Even when we don’t know what lies ahead, we can choose to stay faithful to the people God puts in our lives—and to Him.
Bitterness and Quiet Strength
When Naomi got back to Bethlehem, the whole town noticed. “Is this Naomi?” the people asked.
But Naomi didn’t feel like herself anymore. She told them, “Don’t call me Naomi (which means ‘pleasant’)—call me Mara, which means ‘bitter.’” She felt like life had emptied her out completely.
And yet, Ruth was still right there by her side.
Sometimes, when someone is hurting deeply, just being there is the most powerful thing we can do. Ruth didn’t preach or try to fix Naomi’s pain—she just stayed close and faithful.
What Can We Learn?
Here are a few simple but powerful lessons from Ruth 1:
- God is working, even when we don’t see it. Naomi felt like her story was over, but God was just beginning a new chapter.
- Loyalty matters. Ruth’s faithfulness changed both her life and Naomi’s.
- It’s okay to be honest with God. Naomi admitted her pain—and God still walked with her.
- Hope often begins in the hard places. Bethlehem was the place Naomi left in sorrow—but it’s also where her redemption story started.
Final Thoughts
Ruth 1 is not the end of the story—it’s the beginning. We see heartache and loss, but also a spark of something greater. God uses ordinary people like Ruth and Naomi to show us His love and faithfulness, even when life feels bitter.
Maybe you’re in a season like Naomi’s right now. If so, take heart. God hasn’t forgotten you. Like Ruth, stay faithful. You never know what He might do next.
Question to reflect on: What does staying faithful look like in your life today?
Ruth 1:1-22 (WEB)
1:1 In the days when the judges judged, there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to live in the country of Moab with his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab and lived there. 3 Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. 4 They took for themselves wives of the women of Moab. The name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other was Ruth. They lived there about ten years. 5 Mahlon and Chilion both died, and the woman was bereaved of her two children and of her husband. 6 Then 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 the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. 7 She went out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her. They went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 May the LORD grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.”Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices, and wept. 10 They said to her, “No, but we will return with you to your people.”11 Naomi said, “Go back, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 Go back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, ‘I have hope,’ if I should even have a husband tonight, and should also bear sons, 13 would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from having husbands? No, my daughters, for it grieves me seriously for your sakes, for the LORD’s hand has gone out against me.”14 They lifted up their voices and wept again; then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth stayed with her. 15 She said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her god. Follow your sister-in-law.”16 Ruth said, “Don’t urge me to leave you, and to return from following you, for where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.”18 When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.19 So they both went until they came to Bethlehem. When they had come to Bethlehem, all the city was excited about them, and they asked, “Is this Naomi?”20 She said to them, “Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the country of Moab. They came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.