(1:1) A Troubled Time - The story of Ruth takes place sometime during the period of the rule of the judges. These were dark days for Israel, when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6; 21:25). But during those dark and evil times, some still followed God. Naomi and Ruth are extraordinary examples of loyalty, friendship, and commitment-to God and to each other.

(1:2) A Severe Famine - Moab, the land east of the Dead Sea, was one of the nations that oppressed the Israelites during the period of the judges (Judges 3:12-30), so the two nations were hostile to each other. The famine must have been quite severe in Israel for Elimelech to move his family there. Even if Israel had already defeated Moab, relations still would have been tense between them. Elimelech and his family were called Ephrathites because Ephrath was an earlier name for Bethlehem.

(1:4-5) God Uses Ruth - Friendly relations with the Moabites were discouraged (Deuteronomy 23:3-6) but probably not forbidden, since the Moabites lived outside the Promised Land. Marrying a Canaanite (or the other peoples living within the borders of the Promised Land), however, was against God's law (Deuteronomy. 7;1-4). Moabites were not allowed to worship at the tabernacle because they had not let the Israelites pass through their land during the exodus from Egypt. As God's chosen people, the Israelites should have set an example to the other nations of living holy lives. Ironically, however, God used Ruth, a Moabite woman, as an example of genuine spiritual character. This shows just how bleak life had become in Israel during those days.

(1:8-9) In the ancient world, almost nothing was worse than being a widow. These women were taken advantage of or ignored, and they were almost always poverty stricken. God's law, therefore, provided that the nearest relative of a woman's dead husband should care for his widow. But Naomi had no relatives in Moab, and she did not know if any of her relatives were alive in Israel.

Even in her desperate situation, Naomi had a selfless attitude. Although she had decided to return to Israel, she encouraged Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab and start their lives over, even though this would mean extra hardship for her. Like Naomi, we must consider the needs of others and not just our own. As Naomi discovered, when we act selflessly, others are encouraged to follow our example.

(1:11-14) Naomi's comment here ("Are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?") refers to levirate marriage, the obligation of a dead man's brother to care for his widow (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). This law kept widows from poverty and provided a way for the family name of a dead husband to continue. Because Naomi had no other sons for Ruth or Orpah to marry, she encouraged them to remain in their homeland and remarry other men. Orpah agreed, which was her right. But Ruth was willing to give up the possibility of security and children in order to care for Naomi

(1:16-17) God Accepts Ruth's Worship - Ruth was a Moabite woman, but that didn't stop her from worshiping the true God, nor did it stop God from accepting her worship and blessing her greatly. The Israelites were not the only people God loved. God had chosen the Israelites to be the people through whom the rest of the world would come to know him. This was fulfilled when Jesus Christ was born as a Jew. Through him, the entire world can come to know God. Acts 10:35 says that "in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." God accepts all who worship him; he works through people regardless of their race, sex, or status. The book of Ruth is a perfect example of God's impartiality. Although Ruth belonged to a people often despised by Israel, she was blessed because of her faithfulness. She became a great-grandmother of King David and a direct ancestor of Jesus. No one should feel disqualified to serve God. And God can use every circumstance to build his kingdom.

(1:20-21) Recognise What God Has Provided for You - Naomi had experienced severe hardships. She had left Israel married, the mother of two sons, and secure. She returned widowed, childless, and poor. Naomi changed her name to express the bitterness and pain she felt. Naomi was not rejecting God by openly expressing her pain. However, she seems to have lost sight of the tremendous resources she had in her relationships with Ruth and with God. When you face bitter times, God welcomes your honest prayers, but be careful not to overlook the love, strength, and resources that he provides in your present relationships. And don't allow bitterness and disappointment to blind you to your opportunities.

(1:22) God Keeps His Promises - Bethlehem was about five miles southwest of Jerusalem. The town was surrounded by lush fields and olive groves. Its harvests were abundant. Ruth is an ancestor of both David and Jesus. Ruth and Naomi's return to Bethlehem was certainly part of God's plan--in this town David would be born (Samuel 16:1), and as predicted by the prophet Micah (Micah 5:2), so would Jesus Christ. This move, then, was more than merely convenient for Ruth and Naomi. It led to the fulfillment of God's promises.

(1:22) A Return to Bethlehem - Because Israel's climate is quite moderate, each year has two harvests, in the spring and in the fall. The barley harvest took place in the spring, and it was during this time of hope and plenty that Ruth and Naomi returned to Bethlehem. Bethlehem was a farming community, and because it was the time of the harvest, plenty of leftover grain was in the fields. This grain could be collected (gleaned) and then made into food. (See the first note on 2:2-3 for more information on gleaning.