Study together · BCS

Naomi

The widow who went away full and came back empty.

The story

1. Famine and Moab Ruth 1:1-2

   A famine drives her family out of Bethlehem to a foreign land.

2. Three graves Ruth 1:3-5

   Her husband dies, then both sons. She is left with two foreign daughters-in-law.

3. “Call me Mara” Ruth 1:19-21

   Back in Bethlehem, she tells the women she went away full and the Lord brought her back empty.

4. A glimmer Ruth 2:19-20

   When she hears of Boaz, she sees God's kindness again: “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”

5. The plan Ruth 3:1-4

   She sends Ruth to the threshing floor to seek rest and a future for her.

6. A son in her lap Ruth 4:14-17

   The women bless God, who did not leave her without a redeemer. She cares for her grandson Obed.

Key verses

“Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.” Ruth 1:20 (ESV)

Read together: Ruth 1:1-2 · Ruth 1:3-5 · Ruth 1:19-21 · Ruth 2:19-20 · Ruth 3:1-4 · Ruth 4:14-17

Questions to sit with

1. Where am I telling myself God is against me?
2. What would it look like to name my grief honestly and still wait on God?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible, © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission.