1. Introduction — What Is the Book of Ruth About?

Ruth is more than a love story. It tells us about real people who faced loss, uncertainty, and difficult decisions—and who had to choose how they would care for one another.

Through their story, we will consider:

• Family, friendship, and faithful love.
• The choices we make when life becomes difficult.
• What these events reveal about God’s character and purposes.

Throughout the Bible, God reveals His plan of salvation. As we study Ruth, we will begin to see how this family’s story fits into His greater plan.

2. The Historical Setting — The Time of the Judges

REFERENCES · Ruth 1:1; Judges 2:11–19; 21:25

These events took place before Israel had kings, during a period of spiritual and moral instability.

Israel repeatedly turned away from the Lord, worshiped other gods, and fell under the rule of their enemies. When the people cried out, God showed them mercy by raising up leaders called judges to rescue them.

Israel’s greatest problem was not the enemies around them, but the fact that they had turned away from God.

The book of Ruth begins with a famine. Although God had warned Israel about the consequences of disobedience, this account does not tell us that this particular famine was punishment for a specific sin.

3. Two Important Places — Bethlehem and Moab

REFERENCES · Genesis 19:37; Numbers 22–25; Deuteronomy 23:3–6

Bethlehem, in Judah, means “house of bread.” Yet the story begins with a famine in the “house of bread.”

Moab lay east of the Dead Sea. The Moabites and Israelites were related through their ancestors, but they had often been enemies, and the Moabites worshiped other gods.

This background helps us understand Ruth’s position:

• She was a Moabite woman.
• She was a widow.
• In Israel, she would be a foreigner, unsure of how people would receive her or what her future would hold.

Ruth’s decision to go with Naomi meant much more than simply moving to another country.

4. A Family Seeking a Better Life

READ ALONG · Ruth 1:1–5

Elimelech and Naomi leave Bethlehem with their sons, Mahlon and Chilion, because of the famine.

Their hopes for a better life give way to devastating loss:

• Elimelech dies.
• The sons marry Ruth and Orpah.
• Both sons also die, leaving three widows.

In those days, a widow could find herself without anyone to provide for her or protect her.

Ruth’s story begins with suffering and uncertainty, not romance.

We also make plans for education, work, marriage, and family. These can be good desires, but we cannot control every circumstance.

For reflection: What do we do when life does not unfold as we hoped?

RELATED REFERENCES · Proverbs 16:9; James 4:13–15

5. Ruth’s Decision — Faithfulness at a Cost

READ ALONG · Ruth 1:6–18

When Naomi hears that the Lord has provided food for His people, she decides to return to Bethlehem.

Naomi encourages her daughters-in-law to return to their families. Orpah leaves, but Ruth stays.

Ruth’s words show more than her love for Naomi. She is also choosing to follow the God of Israel. Naomi’s people will be her people, and Naomi’s God will be her God.

Consider what Ruth leaves behind:

• Her homeland and familiar surroundings.
• Her family and community.
• The security of knowing where she belongs.

She does not know whether people will welcome her, how she will support herself, or whether she will ever marry again.

There is a striking contrast: while many Israelites were turning away from the Lord, this Moabite woman chose to follow Him.

Faithful love is revealed through actions, especially when those actions cost us something.

For reflection: What happens to our love when caring for someone becomes inconvenient or requires sacrifice?

6. Returning to Bethlehem — Naomi’s Grief

READ ALONG · Ruth 1:19–22

Naomi asks to be called Mara, meaning “bitter,” because of the suffering she has experienced. She describes herself as returning empty.

Yet Ruth is standing beside her.

Naomi’s grief is real. But she does not yet realize how God will use Ruth in her life.

What we can see and feel in a difficult moment is not the whole picture of what God is doing.

The chapter ends with a quiet detail: they arrive at the beginning of the barley harvest. This prepares us for the next part of the story.

7. What Comes Next?

• Chapter 2: Ruth gathers grain to provide for herself and Naomi. She comes to a field where an ordinary day of work will become an important part of the story.
• Chapter 3: Ruth must take a courageous step. Understanding the customs of her time will help us understand what she does.
• Chapter 4: We will see how the difficulties facing this family are resolved—and discover why this story has such an important place in the Bible.

God’s law required landowners to leave some of their crops for the poor, widows, and foreigners to gather. Gathering this leftover grain was called gleaning.

REFERENCES · Leviticus 19:9–10; Deuteronomy 24:19–22

8. What Does This Mean for Us?

Three truths to remember:

1. Life does not always follow our plans.
2. Our choices still matter in circumstances we cannot control.
3. We should look for what this story reveals about God, as well as what it teaches about people.

Understanding the setting helps us recognize which details reflect the customs of that time and which biblical truths still guide our lives today.

For reflection: If you could ask Naomi or Ruth one question at the end of chapter 1, what would it be?

9. Closing — We See Only Part of the Story

Sin has real consequences, but not all suffering is punishment for something a person has done wrong. The book of Ruth does not tell us that the famine or the deaths in this family were punishment for their sins.

Instead, the story invites us to consider:

When we cannot see what God is doing, does that mean He has stopped working?

Naomi sees loss and emptiness. The story, however, is still unfolding.

As we continue, keep asking:

What does this reveal about God—His character, His faithfulness, and His purposes?

We may not understand everything God is doing, but we can trust Him and faithfully do what He has called us to do today.