Finding Redemption: Lessons from Ruth and Naomi

Today’s journey began with a look at the Book of Ruth, a story set in a dark and difficult time—a famine during the days of the judges. Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their sons left Bethlehem, the “house of bread,” for Moab, a place known for its godlessness and brokenness. This move was driven by desperation, but it also serves as a mirror for our own lives: how often do we walk away from the places and people God has given us, seeking something “better” without truly considering where we’re going or what we’re leaving behind?

The story of Elimelech and Naomi is a cautionary tale about the ease of leaving and the danger of not thinking through where we’re headed. When we walk away from God or the community He’s placed us in, we often find ourselves in darker places than we imagined. Yet, even in Moab, God’s grace is at work. Naomi’s influence on Ruth, a Moabite woman, is so profound that Ruth chooses to leave everything familiar behind to follow Naomi and her God. This is the power of influence—how our lives, not just our words, can draw others toward God.

Naomi’s return to Bethlehem is marked by honesty and pain. She confesses her bitterness and sense of emptiness, believing she left full and returned empty. Her story reminds us how easy it is to overlook the blessings we have in pursuit of something more, only to realize later what we’ve lost. We’re challenged to recognize the fullness in our own lives and not to wish away the present in search of the next thing.

The narrative shifts as Ruth courageously seeks provision for herself and Naomi, “just so happening” to glean in the field of Boaz, their family redeemer. The text’s irony is clear: what seems like coincidence is actually God’s providence. God is at work in the ordinary and the unexpected, weaving redemption into the fabric of broken lives.

Ultimately, Ruth and Boaz’s story points us to Jesus, our true Redeemer. Just as Boaz paid the price to restore Naomi and Ruth, Jesus paid the ultimate price to redeem us. Our faith is not anchored in our circumstances, but in the historical reality of Christ’s death and resurrection. As we remember Him in communion, we’re invited to come honestly, bringing our brokenness to the One who redeems and restores.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Danger of “Away” Without Considering “To”: It’s easy to justify leaving difficult situations, but rarely do we fully consider where we’re headed or the consequences of our choices. Like Elimelech, we may walk away from God’s provision and end up in places of spiritual famine. Before making a move, it’s vital to prayerfully consider not just what we’re leaving, but where we’re going and who we’re becoming in the process. [04:17]
• 2. The Power of Influence in Everyday Life: Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi was not based on persuasive words, but on the compelling witness of Naomi’s life—even in her pain and confusion. Our lives have the potential to be the “compelling reason” someone else seeks God. People are watching not for perfection, but for authenticity and hope that transcends circumstances. [14:13]
• 3. The Subtlety of Discontent and the Gift of Fullness: Naomi’s lament reveals a common human tendency: to overlook the blessings we have while longing for something more. We often realize too late that we were “full” all along. Practicing gratitude and presence in our current season guards our hearts from missing the goodness God has already provided. [18:17]
• 4. Faith Rooted in Christ, Not Circumstances: When faith is built on experiences or outcomes, it becomes fragile and easily shaken by hardship. The foundation of Christian faith is not what happens to us, but what happened in history—Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Anchoring our trust in Him, rather than in changing circumstances, gives us resilience and hope. [21:19]
• 5. God’s Providence in the Ordinary: The story’s “it just so happened” moments are not luck, but evidence of God’s quiet orchestration. Even in seasons of loss, confusion, or apparent coincidence, God is at work, weaving redemption and purpose. Learning to recognize His hand in the everyday transforms our perspective and deepens our trust. [27:45]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - Becoming a Grandparent: Personal Reflections
• [02:10] - Setting the Scene: Ruth in the Time of the Judges
• [04:17] - The Temptation to Walk Away
• [06:22] - The Consequences of Leaving God’s Place
• [07:36] - Naomi’s Losses and Ruth’s Loyalty
• [08:41] - Ruth’s Courage and Commitment
• [09:54] - The Power of Influence: Naomi and Ruth
• [11:57] - Hot Yoga and the Influence of Others
• [14:13] - Living a Life Worth Following
• [16:19] - Naomi’s Bitterness and Honest Faith
• [18:17] - Missing the Fullness We Already Have
• [21:19] - Fragile Faith and the Foundation of Christianity
• [24:30] - Ruth Gleans in Boaz’s Field
• [27:45] - God’s Providence: “It Just So Happened”
• [30:00] - Jesus as Our Redeemer
• [33:23] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
• [36:00] - The Legacy of Ruth and Boaz
• [37:30] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Reading

Ruth 1:1-22 (ESV) — > In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband...

(Continue reading through verse 22.)

Observation Questions

1. What reasons did Elimelech and Naomi have for leaving Bethlehem, and what was significant about the place they chose to go? ([04:17])
2. How did Ruth respond when Naomi urged her to return to Moab, and what does her response reveal about her relationship with Naomi and God? ([08:41])
3. When Naomi returned to Bethlehem, how did she describe her situation to the people there? What did she say about her feelings toward God? ([16:19])
4. What does the text say about how Ruth ended up gleaning in Boaz’s field? How does the narrator describe this event? ([21:19])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Elimelech and Naomi didn’t fully consider the consequences of leaving Bethlehem for Moab? What does this reveal about human nature when facing hardship? ([04:17])
2. Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi was based on more than words. What does this say about the power of influence in relationships, especially during times of pain or confusion? ([14:13])
3. Naomi said she “went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.” What does this statement reveal about her perspective on her past and present circumstances? ([18:17])
4. The story highlights that what seemed like coincidence (“it just so happened”) was actually God’s providence. How does this shape our understanding of God’s involvement in ordinary events? ([21:19])

Application Questions

1. Think about a time when you were tempted to “walk away” from a difficult situation, relationship, or even your faith. Did you consider not just what you were leaving, but where you were going and who you were becoming? How might you approach such decisions differently now? ([04:17])
2. Who in your life has influenced you toward God—not just by what they said, but by how they lived? Is there someone watching your life right now who might be drawn to God because of your example? ([14:13])
3. Naomi realized too late that she was “full” before she left. Are there areas in your life where you’re overlooking blessings because you’re longing for something more? How can you practice gratitude and presence in your current season? ([18:17])
4. When have you found your faith shaken because of difficult circumstances? What would it look like to anchor your faith in the historical reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection, rather than in your current experiences? ([21:19])
5. The story of Ruth and Boaz shows God working through “ordinary” events. Can you identify a recent situation in your life that seemed like coincidence, but in hindsight might have been God’s providence? How can you become more aware of God’s hand in your everyday life? ([21:19])
6. Naomi was honest about her pain and bitterness before God and others. Is there an area of your life where you need to be more honest with God or with your community? What might be holding you back? ([16:19])
7. Ruth took a courageous step to provide for Naomi, even when it was risky. Is there a step of faith or obedience you feel God is prompting you to take, even if it feels uncertain or uncomfortable? ([21:19])