5 Days in the Book of Ruthنموونە

Day 1: Family Challenges and Changes

Read Ruth 1:1-5

Naomi Loses her Husband and Sons

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

Reflection on the passage:
In the first few verses of Ruth, we learn that Naomi and her family experienced famine, a big move, and then later the death of three family members.

The setting of this story is during the time of the Judges, a period of disunity and moral decline in Israel, with a few bright spots. Note that this family’s hometown was Bethlehem, later to be the birthplace of Jesus! Elimelek, perhaps unwisely, decided to move away from Bethlehem along with his wife Naomi, and two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, to the neighboring country of Moab, to find relief from the famine in Judah. We might wonder what it was like for them as Jewish people, living away from their faith community in this foreign land. After settling in Moab, Elimelek sadly died. His two sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth, but after 10 years in this foreign land, Mahlon and Kilion died as well, leaving Naomi in unthinkable grief.

If you identify in any way with the plight of Naomi and her family, take heart! As we read this story in Ruth, we will see how God weaves His wonderful purposes into the individual lives of the people in the story. Hope and new life break into discouraging times, poor decisions, major transitions, and the loss of beloved ones.

Focus verse for prayerful reflection:
“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.” (Ruth 1:1)

1. What are you feeling about the times in which we are living? Have you experienced any recent transitions that you are adjusting to?

2. Bring these feelings and reflections to Jesus, talking to Him about what you are experiencing and inviting His guidance in your life.

For further reading:
Take a look at Judges to get a feeling for the time in which Naomi and her family lived, particularly Judges 21:24-25.