Sermon Recap: Ruth 1:1-22

A Song of Hope in Darkness

Ruth 1:1-22

This Sunday, we began our Advent series in the book of Ruth with "Hope in Darkness," where we explored how God quietly works through bitter providence to initiate restoration through unexpected covenant loyalty.

We journeyed with Naomi through devastating loss—the death of her husband and sons, the emptiness of exile, and the weight of feeling abandoned by God. Yet even in her deepest darkness, God was composing a symphony of redemption. Through Ruth's surprising covenant loyalty, we see the first quiet notes of God's sovereign restoration.

God often restores His people through quiet and unexpected expressions of His love.

Here's how Ruth 1 reveals God's redemptive melody:

1. The Deepening Emptiness of Bitter Providence (vv. 1-5)

• The foolishness of exile – Elimelech's family leaves the Promised Land during famine, choosing convenience over covenant, turning their backs on God's presence and promise.

• The cost of emptiness – Their self-imposed exile leads to devastating loss: Elimelech dies, then both sons die, leaving Naomi utterly alone without husband, children, or hope for her family line.

• The crisis of extinction – Naomi faces complete loss: no security, no future, no one to preserve her family's inheritance in the Promised Land.

2. The Unexpected Turn of Covenant Loyalty (vv. 6-18)

• The test of return – When Naomi hears the Lord has visited His people and ended the famine, she decides to return home. Her daughters-in-law face a choice: stay in familiar Moab or follow Naomi into uncertainty.

• The love of loyalty – Ruth makes an astounding vow, choosing God's people, God's place, and God Himself over convenience and comfort. She clings to Naomi when Naomi has nothing left to offer.

• The contrast of choices – While Orpah chooses practicality (like Elimelech did), Ruth demonstrates what God's people should be: loyal, committed, trusting in the Lord even when it costs everything.

3. The Quiet Work of Sovereign Restoration (vv. 19-22)

• The bitter testimony – Naomi returns to Bethlehem physically but remains emotionally and spiritually distant. She renames herself "Mara" (bitter), seeing only emptiness rather than God's provision in Ruth or the restored harvest.

• The seed of hope – Despite Naomi's bitterness, the chapter ends with a subtle note of promise: they arrive at the beginning of barley harvest. Restoration is starting, though not yet fully realized.

• The unresolved chord – Like the bitter waters at Marah that God sweetened, Naomi's story isn't finished. God is quietly working through unexpected means to accomplish His redemptive purposes.

"God sometimes takes away the things that have become precious to us because they are supporting us in our life of sin and hardness of heart toward him... he wants us to receive something far more precious than all the trinkets to which we become so desperately attached. He wants to give us more of himself."

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Reflection Questions:

1. Where in your life do you feel like Naomi—empty, bitter, or wondering where God is in your suffering? How might God be quietly working in ways you haven't yet recognized?

2. Ruth chose covenant loyalty over convenience and comfort. What "practical" choices might be tempting you away from faithfully following God and His people?

3. Naomi couldn't see God's provision in Ruth or the harvest because she was focused on her loss. What blessings or signs of God's faithfulness might you be missing because of present pain?

4. How does knowing that God brought restoration to Naomi through quiet, unexpected means encourage you to trust Him in your current circumstances?

Resources:

• Book: Ruth for You: Revealing God's Kindness and Care (Tony Merida)

• Book: Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God: Sweet and Bitter Providence in the Book of Ruth (John Piper)

• Book: Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense (Paul David Tripp)

Songs from Sunday:

• Hark the Herald Angels Sing/King of Heaven

• Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

• The First Noel

• Crown Him (Christmas)

Find these and all the songs we sing for corporate worship during Advent on our OTC Christmas playlist.