March 21, 2025 • 26 mins
Chapter 1 of Heroes in the Bible: Ruth with Savannah Chrisley is inspired by the book of Ruth.
The Tragedy of Ruth and Naomi - After famine strikes, Naomi leaves her homeland in search of survival—but loss follows her to Moab, taking her husband and both sons. Amid the ruins of grief, her daughter-in-law Ruth makes a life-altering vow of loyalty, setting the stage for one of the most powerful redemption stories in Scripture.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Prelude to chapter one. Happiness takes years to build, but
tragedy strikes in an instant. Job's life had been one
of boundless prosperity, flourishing fields, herds that stretched beyond sight,
and a family that filled his home with joy. But
(00:21):
in a single day, that life was torn to shreds.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
The first blow came like a thief in the night.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Raiders descended on his servants, swords flashing, leaving fields littered
with the fallen. Before Job could fully process the horror,
a servant stumbled to him, trembling.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Lightning had struck the pastures.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
The sheep you heard us gone, All are consumed in flame.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Job's heart pounded, but no reprieve came. Another messenger burst in.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Breathless Chaldeans for draining parties. They've stolen your camels, killed
your servants.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
I alone escaped to tell you.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Each report, hidden like a hammer on his chest. But
then came the final blow, the one that shattered in.
A servant collapsed at his feet.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Now, what has happened last June? It's your Dutrey.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
A great wind came from the wilderness.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
It struck us first.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
The wolves collapsed.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Look on Joe raced to the scene, his feet pounding
against the earth. He reached the smoldering wreckage of his
eldest son's home. The air was thick with smoke and ash,
the setting sun casting an eerie red glow over the ruins.
The wind had stilled, leaving only silence, thick, oppressive, and cruel.
(01:59):
Joe fell to his knees among the charred remains, his
trembling hands sifting through the ashes. His grief erupted like
a storm. With a blade, he tore his robes, then
shaved his head, each action a sharp and deliberate symbol
of mourning and surrender. He buried his face in the dirt.
(02:23):
All was lost, his wealth, his servants, his children, And
yet in the depths of despair, a spark remained, like
a single call. Refusing to die.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Job's faith endured.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
He clutched the ash in his fists, his hands shaking
as he raised them to the heavens. With a voice
raw and broken, he cried out, naked, I came into
this world.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Sh I thank you, my checker.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
The Lord gives, the Lord takes away.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
The ash slipped through his fingers, carried upward by the wind.
Though the world around him was desolate, Job stood defiant,
not in bitterness, but in worship. His tragedy was complete,
but his hope was unbroken.
Speaker 5 (03:38):
Welcome to pray dot COM's Heroes and the Bible Ruth.
I'm Savannah Chrisley, your host, and I'm so excited to
be on this journey with you. If you're tuning in
for the first time, you're in for a story that's
got it all love, heartbreak, resilience and redemption. It's the
(03:58):
kind of story that meets you right where you're at.
Subscribe to this channel and follow the podcast so you
don't miss what's coming. And if you want to hear
more Heroes in the Bible content, downloadthprey dot com app.
This new series is about Ruth, a woman whose life
didn't go as planned, but somehow she still found her
(04:20):
way to what God's plan was for her. We begin
today with a prelude, a little story from another time
in the Bible that relates to our story today. The
prelude was about Job, a man who lost everything but
still chose to worship the Lord. Ruth. Chapter one is
a Job like story. It's raw, it's real. It's a
(04:43):
story about loss and the choice to stay faithful even
when you're surrounded by grief.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Naomi screams echoed across the barren valley, where the only
water the parched earth had received in months. She grabbed
a fist full of dust and throw it into the
air in rage. The wind raged back at her, blowing
the dust into her face. She coughed, which turned into
(05:17):
a low, painful releasing.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
This room had breaked me. I refuse to let.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
It break me.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Naomi stood and yelled again at the blighted wind.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
It howled in return.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
She had thought that nothing could touch them, that the
world was made of endless springs and unshakable certainties. But
the earth, like the human heart, is fickle. What blooms
must wither, what once flourishes must falter. Seasons change, and
even the sun.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Cannot halt the slope creep of shadow.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
Naomi rose, brushing the dust from her dress, and turned
back toward the house. Inside, her husband, Alimelech, sat with
their sons, Marlin and Killian, their small forms hunched over
a basket of seeds they had salvaged from the desolation.
She knelt by her sons, her hands trembling as she
(06:18):
touched their faces. She led them to their bits, sang
them a song, and touched the blanket around them. Outside
their room, she collapsed against the wall, her strength crumbling
like the earth outside. Alamelech sat beside her, pulling her
into his arms. His strength had always been a comfort,
(06:40):
but even that was failing now. His once proud frame
was thinner, his breath labored. Still, he held her, his hands,
stroking her hair, as if she might break apart without
the tether of his touch.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
We can't stay in Naomi.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
This land won't save us.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
I know, I know. But if we leave, will we
not be leaving God behind? What does it say of
our faith if we abandon the land he gave us.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I have called to him, I've begged and pleaded, but
there is only silence. If he will not answer, then
perhaps he means for us to act.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
Ah, then we will go for our sons. For their sake,
we must try.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
A Lamelech kissed her brow.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
They sat together in the dark, holding each other as
the wind howled outside. The world was broken, but they
would fight to hold their family together, even if it
meant leaving everything They had known. Behind their desperation was
a seed that eventually sprouted into something resembling hope. With determination,
(07:51):
they set their sights on Moab, away from Bethlehem, away
from home. The seed that refused to sprout in Bethelhem
bore fruit and Moa. Alamelech and Naomi dug roots into
foreign soil, laboring side by side with their sons. When
(08:13):
the first tender sprout broke the surface, the family cheered,
their voices rising.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Like a hymn of relief.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
A Lamelech knelt in the dirt, tears streaking his dust
covered face.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
For the first time in years, the weight of the famine.
Speaker 6 (08:31):
Lifted, Ah alamele like, you did it.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
I'm so proud of you.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
No, my love, we did it. A boys will have food,
you will have a home and and.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
We oh, let's get you inside.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Joy is fleeting and fickle.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
The toil if survival had taken its toll on Alimelech.
The sickness he had long hidden began to consume him.
The vibrant glow and his cheeks faded. His once strong
frame grew frail. Though he had secured life for his family,
his own body betrayed him. Weeks of agony took decades
(09:21):
off his life. Lying in bed, Alimelech held Naomi's hand,
his breath shallow and labored.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
The harvest were soon come.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
You can sye the stalks well, Marlon rapes.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Alamelech paused, his gaze resting on her face.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
I only wish I could have grown old with you,
seen a grand children rested in the fruit of a labor.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Naomi stroked his cheek, tears slipping silently down her face.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
Well, they won't let us a boat us.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
As I know for certain.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
As the sun set over Moab, a, Lamelech exhaled his last,
leaving Naomi a widow and her sons fatherless. They buried
him on a hill overlooking the field. The morning sun
kissed the horizon, melting the chill from the air. Naomi
(10:34):
stood between her boys, her hands clutching theirs as if
they might vanish into the wind. She looked at the
freshly turned earth and felt the ache of finality.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
But then her.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Gaze fell on Mollen and Chillion, young, raw and resilient.
Their blistered hands were a testament to their strength. Though
her heart whispered despair, Naomi clung to a flicker of hope. Redemption,
however distant.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Still felt possible.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
As long as her boys stood beside her, the story
was not over. The hills of Moab were lush and green,
dotted with wild flowers glistening from the rain. The scent
of wet earth lingered as Naomi.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
Wove her baskets.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Years passed and her sons, Malan and Killian grew into
strong young men. They learned to work in the fields,
trade in the market place, and care for their mother.
Their diligence brought Naomi moments of peace and joy she
thought she had lost forever. The boys eventually married. Killian
(11:50):
wed Orpah, a spirited Moabite.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Woman with many connections.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
She embraced Naomi's family while holding fast to her Moabite root.
Mallan's bride, Ruth, was her opposite. Gentle, contemplative, and quietly resilient.
Ruth's curiosity about Naomi's faith and family bound her to
them in a way that felt deeper than tradition. Naomi
(12:17):
cherished both women, seeing in them a spark of hope
and love that softened the edges of her sorrow. For
a time, Naomi allowed herself to believe she had found
happiness again, but joy in her life was as fleeting
as mist. Winter crept in with its bitter chill. An
(12:40):
illness struck the family. Kellyan was the first to fall,
his labored breaths drawing ORPA's helpless tears. Mallin followed soon after,
despite Ruth's tireless care. Within weeks, both sons were gone,
buried beside their father in the field they had worked
(13:01):
so diligently. Grief crushed Naomi once more. She raged at
the heavens, her cries swallowed by silence.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
Why does tragedy follow me? Am I not worthy of joy?
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Yet amid her despair, a small comfort.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Remained Ruth in Orba.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
The three widows clung to each other there shared sorrow,
forging a bond that softened the ache of loss. But
survival demanded action.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
Naomi heard rumors that the.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Lord had blessed Bethlehem, restoring life to the land. With
her strength waning and no means to work the fields,
she resolved to return home, hoping for provision. It was
a choice born of desperation, but for Naomi it felt
like the only choice left. The mist hung low over
(14:04):
the hills of Moab, wrapping the valley in a cool,
damp embrace. As dawn broke over the horizon, Ruth stirred,
shivering as the cold crept into her blanket. She poked
at the dying embers of the fire, coaxing them back
to life, before setting water to boil. But as she
(14:24):
moved about the house, the strange stillness unsettled her. Naomi's
room was empty, her cloak and basket gone. Ruth stepped outside,
the chill, biting at her skin, and scanned the fog
covered road.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
In the distance.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
She saw a faint figure moving away.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
Her heart sank. Naomi was leaving.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Ruth rushed inside, hastily packing her belongings.
Speaker 6 (14:51):
Or pap, get up, Oh, what's going on? Naomi's leaving.
I think she's going back to Bethlehem. We can't let
her be alone, she'll die out there.
Speaker 4 (15:06):
Oh, but we can'scious leave more out and follow her.
Speaker 6 (15:10):
Ruth Ruth.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
Ruth had already left in pursuit. Orpah, wrapped herself up
and followed after. The two women hurried after Naomi, the
sun slowly melting the fog as they descended the winding road.
Within the hour, they caught up to her Naomi. Naomi
froze but didn't turn. She stood still, her face buried
(15:34):
in her hands, ashamed to face them. Ruth and Orpah
ran to her, falling into her arms. Tears spilled freely
as they clung to each other in the middle of
the road.
Speaker 6 (15:46):
We won't let you go alone.
Speaker 7 (15:49):
Oh my sweet daughters, you must go back, return to
your families. You have lives ahead of you, husbands, children,
a future.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
With me. There's nothing but bitterness. I'm cursed. If you
follow me, death will come swiftly.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
After Orpah hesitated, her heart torn, Naomi's words rang true.
Staying would mean giving up the chance to rebuild her life.
With tears streaming down her face, Orpah kissed Naomi's forehead.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
Naomi I.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Orpah wrestled with guilt, but Naomi held her face and nodded,
it's okay.
Speaker 4 (16:35):
Leave me. I'll never forget you, Naomi. May you find peace.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
She turned and walked away, her figure soon swallowed by
the mist, but Ruth stayed, refusing to let go. Naomi
spoke gently, stroking Ruth's hair.
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Ruth, your sister has returned to her people. Under God us,
you should do the same.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
Ruth pulled back and looked into Naomi's eyes with unwavering resolve.
Speaker 6 (17:07):
Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you stay, I
will say. Your people will be my people, and your
God will be my God. Where you die, I will die,
and there I will be buried.
Speaker 4 (17:23):
May the Lord.
Speaker 6 (17:24):
Deal with me severely if anything but death separates us.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Naomi was silenced by Ruth's words. Tears welled in Naomi's
eyes as she embraced Ruth tightly. Together, they turned toward
the road to Bethlamb. The first steps of their journey
bathed in the light of the rising sun. The cold
air bit at Ruth in Naomi's weary legs. As they
(17:51):
climbed the final stretch of hills leading to beth Lamb,
Ruth's muscles burned, and Naomi's breath came and labored asps.
As they crested the last hill, a sharp breeze swept
over them, carrying the crisp scent of barley and fresh earth.
Before them lay a vision Bethlehem bathed in amber light,
(18:14):
its fields gleaming like molten gold. The harvest season had
painted the land with a divine brush. Each stroke vibrant
and alive. Ruth gasped, her heart leaping at the sight.
Children played in the fields. Their laughter carried on the
wind as workers bent to reap the bounty of the land.
Speaker 4 (18:35):
Its youth, its home. Don't get attached to its beauty.
Now that I'm here, Bethlehem is doomed to ruin.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
They descended the winding path into the bustling town. Ruth
clung to Naomi's arm as curious eyes turned their way.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Whispers spread like wildfire. Naomi has returned.
Speaker 1 (18:58):
Women emerged from their homes, faces alight with recognition and joy.
Speaker 6 (19:03):
Could it really be her, our dear sister has come back.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
The crowd swelled, but Naomi's head remained bound. The townspeople's
delight seemed to mock her sorrow.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Naomi, is it really you?
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Naomi raised her head, her voice sharp and cold.
Speaker 4 (19:23):
Do not call me that. Naomi means pleasantness, But the
Almighty has dealt bitterly with me. Call me mar bitterness, sadness, pain,
for the Lord has stripped me of everything and left
me empty.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
The crowd fell silent, retreating slowly, leaving Ruth to steady
Naomi as she crumpled Ruth's arms wrapped around her, tightly
shielding her mother in law from the onlookers. She whispered
words of comfort and guided her away. At the edge
of town stood the house Naomi unce called home, the
(20:01):
shadow of.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
Its former self.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
The Ruth sagged and dust choked the corners, cobwebs thick
in every crevice. Naomi collapsed in a corner, her body
as broken.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
As her spirit.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
But Ruth worked with quiet diligence.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
The spirit of the Lord was at work within her.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
Building a strength she didn't fully understand. She was not
burdened by bitterness or crushed by grief. Instead, she was
fortified with the loyalty of a shepherd, her heart steadfast
and unyielding. Naomi's despair would not deter her. Ruth knew
she was here for a purpose, though its fullness was
(20:44):
yet to be revealed.
Speaker 5 (20:49):
I'm not gonna lie, Ruth. Chapter one hits hard. It's
full of loss, grief, and choices that change everything. If
you've ever felt like life's been unfair, or you've had
more than your fair share of why me moments, you
probably feel every bit of this chapter. So here's the setup.
(21:09):
There's a woman named Naomi. She's living in Bethlehem with
her husband Ali Malek and their two sons, but famine
hits and the family has to leave home and move
to Moab, a foreign land. Now, think about that they
had to leave everything familiar to go somewhere unknown just
(21:29):
to survive. Already, that's a lot. But it doesn't stop there.
While in Moab, Naomi's husband dies. Then tragedy strikes again
when her two sons also die. Now Naomi's left with
two daughters in law, Orpah and Ruth. Can you imagine
that losing your home, your husband, and your children. It's
(21:53):
enough to crush anyone. Naomi hears that the famine in
Bethlehem is over, so she decides to go back home.
She's broken, she's bitter, and she's ready to face her
hometown with nothing but heartache in her hands. Naomi tells
Ruth and Orpah to stay behind in Moab and build
(22:17):
a new life. Orpa listens and stays in Moab, but
Ruth oh Man. Ruth plants her feet, grabs Naomi by
the face and says, no way where you go, I'll go.
Your people will be my people, Your God will be
my God. She's all in that's loyalty, that's love, and
(22:41):
that's faith and action. Ruth's not following Naomi because it's
easy or because she's hoping for something in return. She's
doing it because her heart's been stirred to stay by
Naomi's side no matter what. When she returns home, everyone shouts,
it's Naomi, It's it's Naomi. But Naomi no longer identifies
(23:03):
with that name. Naomi means pleasantness. She thinks it's too
pretty of a name for such a miserable person. She
tells everyone to call her Mara, which means bitterness. She's
letting the pain define her. Y'all, let me tell you,
(23:23):
I have been there more times than not. I'll never
forget hearing those words echoing through the courtroom. Guilty. The
verdict fell to the ground, heavy and shocking. I was
confident that it wasn't true. I knew this was a
witch hunt. I knew then and now that true justice
(23:45):
wasn't served. But at that moment, what I knew to
be true, it didn't matter. I had to watch my
parents locked up and being tried as criminals. What came
after the initial shock of that moment was the pressing
temptation to become bitter. I mean, let's face it, it's
hard not to let pain and grief rename you. It's
(24:06):
hard to not let it change how you see yourself
and your story. Here's what I've learned from my experience
and Ruth's story. Don't let pain rename you. Don't let
it define you. You might feel broken, but that's not
your name. You might feel bitter, but that's not your identity.
Just because you're going through a storm doesn't mean that
(24:30):
you're meant to stay in it forever. Even though Naomi
tried to isolate herself, Ruth remained planted by her side
and said, where you go, I will go, and where
you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people,
and your God my god. Ruth's declaration to Naomi exemplifies
(24:52):
Christ's promise to us when he says, I will be
with you always, and the darkest pits of despair, and
when the world feels like it's caving in, you have
a Ruth by your side. Jesus, you have someone who
refuses to leave you even when you lash out and
(25:12):
push away. You want to rename yourself according to what's
happened to you, I get it. But Christ wants to
rename you according to what he's done on the Cross.
You call yourself bitter, he calls you blessed. You call
yourself worthless, he calls you worthy. You call yourself a victim,
(25:35):
and he calls you a conqueror. Ruth is an image
of Christ to Naomi, may we all be like that
when people need us most. Let's be people who step up.
For Naomi, it was Ruth.
Speaker 4 (25:51):
For me.
Speaker 5 (25:52):
It was my brother and my friends who reminded me
that I wasn't alone. We're just getting started, y'all. Next time,
we're stepping in to Ruth chapter two, and things are
about to shift in a big way. This is where
Ruth's hard work and faithfulness start to pay off. It's
(26:12):
one of my favorite parts of the story. Subscribe and
follow this series so you don't miss what's coming, and
if today's message spoke to you, share it with someone
who you think needs it most. You never know who's
in there chapter one moment and just needs to hear
that they're not alone. Thanks for tuning in until next time. Remember,
(26:37):
just because you're in a hard season doesn't mean that's
where your story ends.
Prelude to chapter one. Happiness takes years to build, but
tragedy strikes in an instant. Job's life had been one
of boundless prosperity, flourishing fields, herds that stretched beyond sight,
and a family that filled his home with joy. But
(00:21):
in a single day, that life was torn to shreds.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
The first blow came like a thief in the night.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Raiders descended on his servants, swords flashing, leaving fields littered
with the fallen. Before Job could fully process the horror,
a servant stumbled to him, trembling.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Lightning had struck the pastures.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
The sheep you heard us gone, All are consumed in flame.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Job's heart pounded, but no reprieve came. Another messenger burst in.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Breathless Chaldeans for draining parties. They've stolen your camels, killed
your servants.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
I alone escaped to tell you.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Each report, hidden like a hammer on his chest. But
then came the final blow, the one that shattered in.
A servant collapsed at his feet.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Now, what has happened last June? It's your Dutrey.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
A great wind came from the wilderness.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
It struck us first.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
The wolves collapsed.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Look on Joe raced to the scene, his feet pounding
against the earth. He reached the smoldering wreckage of his
eldest son's home. The air was thick with smoke and ash,
the setting sun casting an eerie red glow over the ruins.
The wind had stilled, leaving only silence, thick, oppressive, and cruel.
(01:59):
Joe fell to his knees among the charred remains, his
trembling hands sifting through the ashes. His grief erupted like
a storm. With a blade, he tore his robes, then
shaved his head, each action a sharp and deliberate symbol
of mourning and surrender. He buried his face in the dirt.
(02:23):
All was lost, his wealth, his servants, his children, And
yet in the depths of despair, a spark remained, like
a single call. Refusing to die.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Job's faith endured.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
He clutched the ash in his fists, his hands shaking
as he raised them to the heavens. With a voice
raw and broken, he cried out, naked, I came into
this world.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Sh I thank you, my checker.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
The Lord gives, the Lord takes away.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
The ash slipped through his fingers, carried upward by the wind.
Though the world around him was desolate, Job stood defiant,
not in bitterness, but in worship. His tragedy was complete,
but his hope was unbroken.
Speaker 5 (03:38):
Welcome to pray dot COM's Heroes and the Bible Ruth.
I'm Savannah Chrisley, your host, and I'm so excited to
be on this journey with you. If you're tuning in
for the first time, you're in for a story that's
got it all love, heartbreak, resilience and redemption. It's the
(03:58):
kind of story that meets you right where you're at.
Subscribe to this channel and follow the podcast so you
don't miss what's coming. And if you want to hear
more Heroes in the Bible content, downloadthprey dot com app.
This new series is about Ruth, a woman whose life
didn't go as planned, but somehow she still found her
(04:20):
way to what God's plan was for her. We begin
today with a prelude, a little story from another time
in the Bible that relates to our story today. The
prelude was about Job, a man who lost everything but
still chose to worship the Lord. Ruth. Chapter one is
a Job like story. It's raw, it's real. It's a
(04:43):
story about loss and the choice to stay faithful even
when you're surrounded by grief.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Naomi screams echoed across the barren valley, where the only
water the parched earth had received in months. She grabbed
a fist full of dust and throw it into the
air in rage. The wind raged back at her, blowing
the dust into her face. She coughed, which turned into
(05:17):
a low, painful releasing.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
This room had breaked me. I refuse to let.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
It break me.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Naomi stood and yelled again at the blighted wind.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
It howled in return.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
She had thought that nothing could touch them, that the
world was made of endless springs and unshakable certainties. But
the earth, like the human heart, is fickle. What blooms
must wither, what once flourishes must falter. Seasons change, and
even the sun.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Cannot halt the slope creep of shadow.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
Naomi rose, brushing the dust from her dress, and turned
back toward the house. Inside, her husband, Alimelech, sat with
their sons, Marlin and Killian, their small forms hunched over
a basket of seeds they had salvaged from the desolation.
She knelt by her sons, her hands trembling as she
(06:18):
touched their faces. She led them to their bits, sang
them a song, and touched the blanket around them. Outside
their room, she collapsed against the wall, her strength crumbling
like the earth outside. Alamelech sat beside her, pulling her
into his arms. His strength had always been a comfort,
(06:40):
but even that was failing now. His once proud frame
was thinner, his breath labored. Still, he held her, his hands,
stroking her hair, as if she might break apart without
the tether of his touch.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
We can't stay in Naomi.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
This land won't save us.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
I know, I know. But if we leave, will we
not be leaving God behind? What does it say of
our faith if we abandon the land he gave us.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I have called to him, I've begged and pleaded, but
there is only silence. If he will not answer, then
perhaps he means for us to act.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
Ah, then we will go for our sons. For their sake,
we must try.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
A Lamelech kissed her brow.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
They sat together in the dark, holding each other as
the wind howled outside. The world was broken, but they
would fight to hold their family together, even if it
meant leaving everything They had known. Behind their desperation was
a seed that eventually sprouted into something resembling hope. With determination,
(07:51):
they set their sights on Moab, away from Bethlehem, away
from home. The seed that refused to sprout in Bethelhem
bore fruit and Moa. Alamelech and Naomi dug roots into
foreign soil, laboring side by side with their sons. When
(08:13):
the first tender sprout broke the surface, the family cheered,
their voices rising.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Like a hymn of relief.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
A Lamelech knelt in the dirt, tears streaking his dust
covered face.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
For the first time in years, the weight of the famine.
Speaker 6 (08:31):
Lifted, Ah alamele like, you did it.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
I'm so proud of you.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
No, my love, we did it. A boys will have food,
you will have a home and and.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
We oh, let's get you inside.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Joy is fleeting and fickle.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
The toil if survival had taken its toll on Alimelech.
The sickness he had long hidden began to consume him.
The vibrant glow and his cheeks faded. His once strong
frame grew frail. Though he had secured life for his family,
his own body betrayed him. Weeks of agony took decades
(09:21):
off his life. Lying in bed, Alimelech held Naomi's hand,
his breath shallow and labored.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
The harvest were soon come.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
You can sye the stalks well, Marlon rapes.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Alamelech paused, his gaze resting on her face.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
I only wish I could have grown old with you,
seen a grand children rested in the fruit of a labor.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Naomi stroked his cheek, tears slipping silently down her face.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
Well, they won't let us a boat us.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
As I know for certain.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
As the sun set over Moab, a, Lamelech exhaled his last,
leaving Naomi a widow and her sons fatherless. They buried
him on a hill overlooking the field. The morning sun
kissed the horizon, melting the chill from the air. Naomi
(10:34):
stood between her boys, her hands clutching theirs as if
they might vanish into the wind. She looked at the
freshly turned earth and felt the ache of finality.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
But then her.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Gaze fell on Mollen and Chillion, young, raw and resilient.
Their blistered hands were a testament to their strength. Though
her heart whispered despair, Naomi clung to a flicker of hope. Redemption,
however distant.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Still felt possible.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
As long as her boys stood beside her, the story
was not over. The hills of Moab were lush and green,
dotted with wild flowers glistening from the rain. The scent
of wet earth lingered as Naomi.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
Wove her baskets.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Years passed and her sons, Malan and Killian grew into
strong young men. They learned to work in the fields,
trade in the market place, and care for their mother.
Their diligence brought Naomi moments of peace and joy she
thought she had lost forever. The boys eventually married. Killian
(11:50):
wed Orpah, a spirited Moabite.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Woman with many connections.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
She embraced Naomi's family while holding fast to her Moabite root.
Mallan's bride, Ruth, was her opposite. Gentle, contemplative, and quietly resilient.
Ruth's curiosity about Naomi's faith and family bound her to
them in a way that felt deeper than tradition. Naomi
(12:17):
cherished both women, seeing in them a spark of hope
and love that softened the edges of her sorrow. For
a time, Naomi allowed herself to believe she had found
happiness again, but joy in her life was as fleeting
as mist. Winter crept in with its bitter chill. An
(12:40):
illness struck the family. Kellyan was the first to fall,
his labored breaths drawing ORPA's helpless tears. Mallin followed soon after,
despite Ruth's tireless care. Within weeks, both sons were gone,
buried beside their father in the field they had worked
(13:01):
so diligently. Grief crushed Naomi once more. She raged at
the heavens, her cries swallowed by silence.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
Why does tragedy follow me? Am I not worthy of joy?
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Yet amid her despair, a small comfort.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Remained Ruth in Orba.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
The three widows clung to each other there shared sorrow,
forging a bond that softened the ache of loss. But
survival demanded action.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
Naomi heard rumors that the.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Lord had blessed Bethlehem, restoring life to the land. With
her strength waning and no means to work the fields,
she resolved to return home, hoping for provision. It was
a choice born of desperation, but for Naomi it felt
like the only choice left. The mist hung low over
(14:04):
the hills of Moab, wrapping the valley in a cool,
damp embrace. As dawn broke over the horizon, Ruth stirred,
shivering as the cold crept into her blanket. She poked
at the dying embers of the fire, coaxing them back
to life, before setting water to boil. But as she
(14:24):
moved about the house, the strange stillness unsettled her. Naomi's
room was empty, her cloak and basket gone. Ruth stepped outside,
the chill, biting at her skin, and scanned the fog
covered road.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
In the distance.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
She saw a faint figure moving away.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
Her heart sank. Naomi was leaving.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Ruth rushed inside, hastily packing her belongings.
Speaker 6 (14:51):
Or pap, get up, Oh, what's going on? Naomi's leaving.
I think she's going back to Bethlehem. We can't let
her be alone, she'll die out there.
Speaker 4 (15:06):
Oh, but we can'scious leave more out and follow her.
Speaker 6 (15:10):
Ruth Ruth.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
Ruth had already left in pursuit. Orpah, wrapped herself up
and followed after. The two women hurried after Naomi, the
sun slowly melting the fog as they descended the winding road.
Within the hour, they caught up to her Naomi. Naomi
froze but didn't turn. She stood still, her face buried
(15:34):
in her hands, ashamed to face them. Ruth and Orpah
ran to her, falling into her arms. Tears spilled freely
as they clung to each other in the middle of
the road.
Speaker 6 (15:46):
We won't let you go alone.
Speaker 7 (15:49):
Oh my sweet daughters, you must go back, return to
your families. You have lives ahead of you, husbands, children,
a future.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
With me. There's nothing but bitterness. I'm cursed. If you
follow me, death will come swiftly.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
After Orpah hesitated, her heart torn, Naomi's words rang true.
Staying would mean giving up the chance to rebuild her life.
With tears streaming down her face, Orpah kissed Naomi's forehead.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
Naomi I.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Orpah wrestled with guilt, but Naomi held her face and nodded,
it's okay.
Speaker 4 (16:35):
Leave me. I'll never forget you, Naomi. May you find peace.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
She turned and walked away, her figure soon swallowed by
the mist, but Ruth stayed, refusing to let go. Naomi
spoke gently, stroking Ruth's hair.
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Ruth, your sister has returned to her people. Under God us,
you should do the same.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
Ruth pulled back and looked into Naomi's eyes with unwavering resolve.
Speaker 6 (17:07):
Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you stay, I
will say. Your people will be my people, and your
God will be my God. Where you die, I will die,
and there I will be buried.
Speaker 4 (17:23):
May the Lord.
Speaker 6 (17:24):
Deal with me severely if anything but death separates us.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Naomi was silenced by Ruth's words. Tears welled in Naomi's
eyes as she embraced Ruth tightly. Together, they turned toward
the road to Bethlamb. The first steps of their journey
bathed in the light of the rising sun. The cold
air bit at Ruth in Naomi's weary legs. As they
(17:51):
climbed the final stretch of hills leading to beth Lamb,
Ruth's muscles burned, and Naomi's breath came and labored asps.
As they crested the last hill, a sharp breeze swept
over them, carrying the crisp scent of barley and fresh earth.
Before them lay a vision Bethlehem bathed in amber light,
(18:14):
its fields gleaming like molten gold. The harvest season had
painted the land with a divine brush. Each stroke vibrant
and alive. Ruth gasped, her heart leaping at the sight.
Children played in the fields. Their laughter carried on the
wind as workers bent to reap the bounty of the land.
Speaker 4 (18:35):
Its youth, its home. Don't get attached to its beauty.
Now that I'm here, Bethlehem is doomed to ruin.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
They descended the winding path into the bustling town. Ruth
clung to Naomi's arm as curious eyes turned their way.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Whispers spread like wildfire. Naomi has returned.
Speaker 1 (18:58):
Women emerged from their homes, faces alight with recognition and joy.
Speaker 6 (19:03):
Could it really be her, our dear sister has come back.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
The crowd swelled, but Naomi's head remained bound. The townspeople's
delight seemed to mock her sorrow.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Naomi, is it really you?
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Naomi raised her head, her voice sharp and cold.
Speaker 4 (19:23):
Do not call me that. Naomi means pleasantness, But the
Almighty has dealt bitterly with me. Call me mar bitterness, sadness, pain,
for the Lord has stripped me of everything and left
me empty.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
The crowd fell silent, retreating slowly, leaving Ruth to steady
Naomi as she crumpled Ruth's arms wrapped around her, tightly
shielding her mother in law from the onlookers. She whispered
words of comfort and guided her away. At the edge
of town stood the house Naomi unce called home, the
(20:01):
shadow of.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
Its former self.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
The Ruth sagged and dust choked the corners, cobwebs thick
in every crevice. Naomi collapsed in a corner, her body
as broken.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
As her spirit.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
But Ruth worked with quiet diligence.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
The spirit of the Lord was at work within her.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
Building a strength she didn't fully understand. She was not
burdened by bitterness or crushed by grief. Instead, she was
fortified with the loyalty of a shepherd, her heart steadfast
and unyielding. Naomi's despair would not deter her. Ruth knew
she was here for a purpose, though its fullness was
(20:44):
yet to be revealed.
Speaker 5 (20:49):
I'm not gonna lie, Ruth. Chapter one hits hard. It's
full of loss, grief, and choices that change everything. If
you've ever felt like life's been unfair, or you've had
more than your fair share of why me moments, you
probably feel every bit of this chapter. So here's the setup.
(21:09):
There's a woman named Naomi. She's living in Bethlehem with
her husband Ali Malek and their two sons, but famine
hits and the family has to leave home and move
to Moab, a foreign land. Now, think about that they
had to leave everything familiar to go somewhere unknown just
(21:29):
to survive. Already, that's a lot. But it doesn't stop there.
While in Moab, Naomi's husband dies. Then tragedy strikes again
when her two sons also die. Now Naomi's left with
two daughters in law, Orpah and Ruth. Can you imagine
that losing your home, your husband, and your children. It's
(21:53):
enough to crush anyone. Naomi hears that the famine in
Bethlehem is over, so she decides to go back home.
She's broken, she's bitter, and she's ready to face her
hometown with nothing but heartache in her hands. Naomi tells
Ruth and Orpah to stay behind in Moab and build
(22:17):
a new life. Orpa listens and stays in Moab, but
Ruth oh Man. Ruth plants her feet, grabs Naomi by
the face and says, no way where you go, I'll go.
Your people will be my people, Your God will be
my God. She's all in that's loyalty, that's love, and
(22:41):
that's faith and action. Ruth's not following Naomi because it's
easy or because she's hoping for something in return. She's
doing it because her heart's been stirred to stay by
Naomi's side no matter what. When she returns home, everyone shouts,
it's Naomi, It's it's Naomi. But Naomi no longer identifies
(23:03):
with that name. Naomi means pleasantness. She thinks it's too
pretty of a name for such a miserable person. She
tells everyone to call her Mara, which means bitterness. She's
letting the pain define her. Y'all, let me tell you,
(23:23):
I have been there more times than not. I'll never
forget hearing those words echoing through the courtroom. Guilty. The
verdict fell to the ground, heavy and shocking. I was
confident that it wasn't true. I knew this was a
witch hunt. I knew then and now that true justice
(23:45):
wasn't served. But at that moment, what I knew to
be true, it didn't matter. I had to watch my
parents locked up and being tried as criminals. What came
after the initial shock of that moment was the pressing
temptation to become bitter. I mean, let's face it, it's
hard not to let pain and grief rename you. It's
(24:06):
hard to not let it change how you see yourself
and your story. Here's what I've learned from my experience
and Ruth's story. Don't let pain rename you. Don't let
it define you. You might feel broken, but that's not
your name. You might feel bitter, but that's not your identity.
Just because you're going through a storm doesn't mean that
(24:30):
you're meant to stay in it forever. Even though Naomi
tried to isolate herself, Ruth remained planted by her side
and said, where you go, I will go, and where
you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people,
and your God my god. Ruth's declaration to Naomi exemplifies
(24:52):
Christ's promise to us when he says, I will be
with you always, and the darkest pits of despair, and
when the world feels like it's caving in, you have
a Ruth by your side. Jesus, you have someone who
refuses to leave you even when you lash out and
(25:12):
push away. You want to rename yourself according to what's
happened to you, I get it. But Christ wants to
rename you according to what he's done on the Cross.
You call yourself bitter, he calls you blessed. You call
yourself worthless, he calls you worthy. You call yourself a victim,
(25:35):
and he calls you a conqueror. Ruth is an image
of Christ to Naomi, may we all be like that
when people need us most. Let's be people who step up.
For Naomi, it was Ruth.
Speaker 4 (25:51):
For me.
Speaker 5 (25:52):
It was my brother and my friends who reminded me
that I wasn't alone. We're just getting started, y'all. Next time,
we're stepping in to Ruth chapter two, and things are
about to shift in a big way. This is where
Ruth's hard work and faithfulness start to pay off. It's
(26:12):
one of my favorite parts of the story. Subscribe and
follow this series so you don't miss what's coming, and
if today's message spoke to you, share it with someone
who you think needs it most. You never know who's
in there chapter one moment and just needs to hear
that they're not alone. Thanks for tuning in until next time. Remember,
(26:37):
just because you're in a hard season doesn't mean that's
where your story ends.
Host
Dr. Tony Evans
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