Ruth 1:3

Letters to the Faithful - Ruth 1:3

Berean Standard Bible

Then Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons,

King James Bible

And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

Hebrew Text:

וַיָּ֥מָת אֱלִימֶ֖לֶךְ אִ֣ישׁ נָעֳמִ֑י וַתִּשָּׁאֵ֥ר הִ֖יא וּשְׁנֵ֥י בָנֶֽיהָ׃

Transliteration:

Vayyāmāt Elimelekh ish Na‘omi, vattisha’ēr hi u-shenei baneha.

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Then Naomi’s husband Elimelech died

Elimelech's death marks a significant turning point in the narrative. In the context of ancient Israel, the death of a husband was a devastating event for a woman, as it often left her without financial support or social standing. Elimelech's name means "My God is King," which may suggest a man of faith, yet his decision to leave Bethlehem during a famine could be seen as a lack of trust in God's provision. This event sets the stage for Naomi's return to Bethlehem and the unfolding of God's providential plan. Theologically, Elimelech's death can be seen as a catalyst for the redemptive story that follows, highlighting themes of loss and restoration.

and she was left with her two sons

Naomi's situation reflects the vulnerability of widows in ancient Near Eastern culture. Without her husband, Naomi's survival depended on her sons, Mahlon and Chilion. The phrase "she was left" underscores her isolation and the precariousness of her situation. In biblical times, sons were expected to care for their widowed mothers, but Naomi's sons later die as well, compounding her grief and desperation. This sets the stage for Ruth's loyalty and the eventual redemption through Boaz. Theologically, this phrase foreshadows the theme of God's provision through unexpected means, as Naomi's eventual return to Bethlehem leads to Ruth's inclusion in the lineage of David and ultimately Jesus Christ.

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Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons (Ruth 1:3). This verse, stark in its brevity, marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Ruth, encapsulating the profound loss that sets the stage for the unfolding drama of divine providence and redemption. Situated within the opening chapter, it recounts the death of Elimelech, patriarch of a Bethlehemite family, and the consequent widowhood of Naomi, whose life is now marked by grief and uncertainty in the foreign land of Moab. In its simplicity, the verse carries a weighty theological resonance, speaking to the fragility of human life, the sovereignty of God over suffering, and the subtle foreshadowing of His redemptive purposes, which will weave through the lives of Naomi, Ruth, and their descendants.

The context of Ruth 1:3 is the sojourn of Elimelech, Naomi, and their sons, Mahlon and Chilion, in Moab, prompted by a famine in Bethlehem, the “house of bread.” This relocation, detailed in the preceding verses, reflects a desperate response to scarcity, yet it places the family outside the covenant land, in a region associated with Israel’s adversaries. The death of Elimelech, introduced abruptly with “then Elimelech… died,” disrupts the family’s stability, leaving Naomi bereft of her husband and provider. The phrase “Naomi’s husband” underscores her personal loss, tying her identity to Elimelech in a patriarchal context, while the subsequent note, “and she was left, and her two sons,” emphasizes her isolation and vulnerability. In the ancient Near Eastern world, widowhood stripped women of social and economic security, rendering Naomi’s plight particularly dire in a foreign land, far from the covenant community of Israel.

Theologically, this verse invites reflection on the mystery of divine providence in the face of suffering. The text offers no explicit explanation for Elimelech’s death, nor does it attribute it directly to divine judgment or sin, though the family’s departure from Bethlehem might suggest a lack of trust in God’s provision. Instead, the silence surrounding the cause of death mirrors the often-unfathomable nature of human suffering, where God’s purposes remain veiled. Yet, within the broader narrative of Ruth, this loss is not the end but the beginning of a redemptive trajectory. The death of Elimelech, coupled with the later deaths of Mahlon and Chilion, strips Naomi of her earthly security, setting the stage for her return to Bethlehem and the unfolding of God’s gracious plan through Ruth’s loyalty and Boaz’s redemption. Thus, the verse subtly points to the paradox of divine sovereignty, wherein God works through human tragedy to accomplish His covenantal purposes.

The phrase “and she was left” carries poignant emotional and theological weight, evoking Naomi’s desolation while hinting at her enduring role in God’s story. In Hebrew, the verb translated “was left” (nish’ar) suggests a remnant, a theme resonant throughout Scripture. Naomi, as a remnant of her family, becomes a vessel through whom God’s faithfulness will be revealed. Her survival, along with her sons, preserves the line that will eventually lead to Obed, Jesse, and David, and ultimately to Christ, the Redeemer foreshadowed in the narrative. This remnant motif underscores God’s preservation of His people, even in the face of loss, and His ability to bring life from death, a theme that reverberates from Genesis to Revelation.

The mention of Naomi’s two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, further enriches the verse’s significance. Their survival, though temporary, sustains the family’s hope for continuity in Moab. Yet, their eventual marriages to Moabite women, including Ruth, and their subsequent deaths (Ruth 1:5), deepen Naomi’s sorrow while setting the stage for Ruth’s extraordinary commitment. The sons’ presence in this verse serves as a narrative bridge, connecting the initial loss of Elimelech to the greater tragedy that follows, yet also to the redemptive acts that emerge through Ruth’s fidelity. In this way, the verse functions as a hinge, marking the descent into grief while anticipating the ascent toward restoration.

In the broader scriptural context, Ruth 1:3 resonates with the theme of God’s faithfulness amidst human frailty. The book of Ruth, set in the tumultuous period of the judges, contrasts the moral chaos of that era with the quiet fidelity of its characters. Elimelech’s death, though a private tragedy, occurs within the larger story of Israel’s covenant relationship with God, who remains faithful even when His people wander. The verse also foreshadows the redemptive role of the kinsman-redeemer, as Naomi’s loss in Moab will be answered by Boaz’s provision in Bethlehem, pointing ultimately to Christ, the true Redeemer who restores what sin and death have broken. Furthermore, the inclusion of Moab, a nation often at odds with Israel, hints at God’s inclusive grace, which will embrace Ruth, a Moabitess, into the covenant lineage of the Messiah.

In conclusion, Ruth 1:3, though brief, is a profound entry in the narrative of God’s redemptive work. The death of Elimelech and the widowhood of Naomi mark a moment of profound loss, yet they also set in motion the divine plan that will unfold through the faithfulness of Ruth and the provision of Boaz. The verse speaks to the human experience of grief and vulnerability while affirming the sovereignty of God, who weaves even the darkest threads of suffering into the tapestry of His covenantal promises. Through Naomi’s desolation, we glimpse the hope of restoration, a hope that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the One whose birth in Bethlehem, descended from this very family, brings redemption to all nations.

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Beloved brethren and sisters in Christ, I greet you in the name of Him who was and is and is to come, whose compassions fail not, whose mercies are new every morning. I write to you as one who shares with you in the bonds of faith, in the hope of the gospel, and in the sufferings and consolations of Christ.

It is upon my heart to speak to you today from the words of the sacred text, where it is written: “Then Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.” — Ruth 1:3.

In this brief verse, preserved by the Spirit in the record of Ruth, there is a weight of sorrow and a depth of human experience which touches all who walk this earthly pilgrimage. For here we behold Naomi, a daughter of Israel, a wife and mother, who had journeyed into a strange land seeking provision in a time of famine. And there, in the land of Moab, her husband Elimelek was taken from her by death, and she was left.

O brethren, there is no heart among us untouched by such realities. For we know that in this world we have tribulation. We are not strangers to sorrow, nor immune to loss. Death enters unbidden and lays its claim; loved ones are taken; homes are left desolate. And the words “she was left” become, at times, the bitter refrain of our own souls.

Yet, beloved, let us not grieve as those who have no hope. For though Naomi was left in Moab, though her heart was heavy with grief, though her future seemed uncertain and her spirit was bowed low, yet the Lord had not forsaken her. The hand of the Almighty was upon her still, working all things according to the counsel of His will.

Consider, therefore, the purposes of our God, which are higher than our ways and past finding out. The loss Naomi endured became the path by which Ruth, her daughter-in-law, would cleave to her and journey to Bethlehem, there to become part of the lineage of David, from whom, according to the flesh, the Christ would come. What man meant for sorrow, God purposed for salvation.

So too, dearly beloved, must we trust in the wisdom and goodness of our God, even when the road is dark and the burdens are heavy. The losses we bear are not without meaning; the tears we shed are not unseen. He who numbers the stars also numbers our sorrows. He who calls the dawn from the darkness will surely bring light to our paths.

If any among you are as Naomi, left grieving and weighed with the burden of loss, know this: the Lord is near to the brokenhearted; He saves those who are crushed in spirit. His promises stand sure: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fear no evil; for He is with you.

And let all who are strong bear the burdens of the weak. Let us comfort one another with the comfort we have received from Christ. Let us weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. For in the body of Christ there is no part that suffers alone; we are members one of another.

Moreover, let us learn from Naomi’s journey to fix our hope not upon the things which are seen, but upon that which is unseen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are unseen are eternal. Even in her sorrow, Naomi’s story became part of the greater story of redemption. And so shall it be with all who trust in the Lord. He is the Redeemer who makes beauty from ashes, who turns mourning into dancing, who gives the oil of gladness for the spirit of heaviness.

Therefore, brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain. Hold fast the confession of your hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among those who are sanctified. May the God of all comfort comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Amen.

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O Most High God, Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who dwells in unapproachable light yet draws near to the brokenhearted, we come before You with reverence and with trust. We lift our eyes unto You, the Maker of heaven and earth, knowing that from You alone comes our help, our hope, and our peace.

For it is written in the sacred text, “Then Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.” O Lord, in these simple words we behold the sorrow that is common to all mankind, for the shadow of death touches every household under the sun. The frailty of life is known to us; we are but dust, and to dust we return. Yet You, O Eternal One, are from everlasting to everlasting. You alone are our refuge from generation to generation.

Look upon us, therefore, O Lord, for we are a people acquainted with grief, and we walk through a world of loss and longing. There are among us those, like Naomi, who have been left—left without spouse, left without parent, left without child, left without friend. The cords of love are broken by the hand of death, and hearts are pierced with the arrows of sorrow.

Yet we come to You, O God of consolation, for You know our frame; You remember that we are but dust. You see our tears, and You treasure them in Your bottle. You hear the sighs that cannot be uttered, and You give strength to the weary and hope to the downcast.

O Lord, when we are left bereft, as Naomi was left, teach us to trust that we are never forsaken by You. Though earthly companionship may be taken, heavenly communion remains. Though voices once dear fall silent, Your voice still speaks life to the soul. Though empty chairs remind us of loss, the presence of the Comforter fills the void with Your abiding peace.

Grant us, we pray, a faith that endures through grief, a hope that shines through the darkness, a love that holds fast to You when all else is shaken. May we say with the psalmist, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

O Lord, in Your mercy, comfort those who mourn in Zion. Bind up the brokenhearted. Give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Cause them to know that those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.

Let the story of Naomi remind us that You, O Lord, are always at work in the unseen places. Though sorrow may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning. Though the way may seem bitter, yet You are preparing blessings beyond our sight. Teach us to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting in Your perfect wisdom and unfailing love.

And, O God, use us as instruments of Your comfort. May we weep with those who weep and bear one another’s burdens. May we speak words of life to those in despair and extend the hand of fellowship to those who are alone. May we be the fragrance of Christ in a world shadowed by death, proclaiming the hope of resurrection and the promise of eternal life.

Finally, O Lord, fix our eyes upon Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who bore our griefs and carried our sorrows, who tasted death for us, and who rose victorious over the grave. In Him we have the sure and certain hope that death shall be swallowed up in victory, that the trumpet shall sound, and that we shall be raised incorruptible.

Until that glorious day, sustain us, O God of all grace. Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Cause us to walk humbly with You, to love mercy, and to do justly. And when our own hour comes to depart this world, may we do so in peace, trusting in Your salvation and resting in Your everlasting arms.

Now unto You, O God of all comfort, be glory, dominion, and praise, both now and forevermore. Through Jesus Christ our risen Lord we pray. Amen.