Daily Bible Devotion - RUTH 1:1–22

The Book of Ruth

22. August 2026

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: Translating the Fire of the Unleashing Agenda into Our Lives and Our Churches

Scripture Reading: RUTH 1:1–22

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INTRODUCTION

Hello Church, welcome to another devotion. Today, we begin our journey through the book of Ruth, and I want us to first understand the people and the setting before we enter the text.

The story begins during the period of the judges, a difficult season in Israel’s history when Scripture says, “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). There was a famine in Bethlehem, and a man named Elimelech left Bethlehem with his wife Naomi and their two sons and went to live in Moab (Ruth 1:1–2).

Who were the Moabites? Moab descended from Lot through his older daughter (Genesis 19:30–38). The Moabites became neighbours of Israel, but their relationship with Israel was often complicated and hostile. When Israel journeyed toward the Promised Land, Balak, king of Moab, attempted to have Balaam curse Israel (Numbers 22–24). Deuteronomy 23:3–6 also records serious restrictions concerning Moab because of how they treated Israel.

And yet, remarkably, Ruth was a Moabite. She was born outside the covenant community of Israel, but she eventually married Mahlon, Naomi’s son. Through that marriage, her life became connected to an Israelite family.

Church, remember this as we enter Ruth chapter 1. Ruth was a foreigner. She came from a nation with a complicated history with Israel, yet God was about to write something extraordinary through her life.

So today, we are going to remain in Ruth 1:1–22 and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us through the famine, the decisions, the losses, the journey, and especially Ruth’s response to Naomi. Don’t rush ahead to chapter 2. Read the chapter carefully, underline what speaks to you, and ask yourself: What is God trying to translate from this story into my life, my family, and my church?

Now, let’s get into the Word.

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1. When There Was a Famine in the Land

Ruth 1:1–2

The Bible begins:

“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land.” — Ruth 1:1

Church, notice where this story begins: a famine. Bethlehem means “house of bread,” yet there was no bread in the house of bread. Because of the famine, Elimelech took Naomi and their two sons and moved to Moab.

Sometimes situations make us move. We change jobs, relocate, change environments, or make major decisions because circumstances have become difficult. Elimelech probably thought he was simply protecting his family, but after about ten years in a foreign land, tragedy began to unfold. Elimelech died, and eventually both sons also died (Ruth 1:3–5).

Church, this teaches us that difficult circumstances can push us into decisions, but we must always learn to ask God for wisdom before making permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances. A famine does not necessarily mean that God has abandoned you.

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2. Sometimes What Dies Is Not the End of the Story

Ruth 1:3–6

Naomi had lost her husband and both of her sons. Imagine the pain of losing the people you travelled with, the people you expected to grow old with, and the future you thought you were building.

But then Naomi heard something:

“She had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread.” — Ruth 1:6

Church, I love this. Naomi heard that God had visited His people, and she arose to return.

Sometimes you need a report that God is moving again. Sometimes somebody else’s testimony should become fuel for your faith. Naomi heard that things were changing back home, and she decided to return.

There is also a lesson about patience here. We must learn not to make decisions only because of what we see in one season. Sometimes circumstances change. The same Bethlehem experiencing famine was now experiencing God’s provision.

So don’t give up on a place, a promise, or even yourself simply because you are passing through a difficult season.

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3. Orpah Turned Back, But Ruth Stayed

Ruth 1:7–14

As Naomi begins her journey back to Bethlehem, Ruth and Orpah initially go with her. But Naomi tells them to return to their mothers’ homes. She explains that she has nothing to offer them, and realistically, she cannot provide another husband for them (Ruth 1:11–13).

Eventually, Orpah accepts the offer and turns back.

I believe there is something important here. Orpah may have loved Naomi, but her commitment was connected to the circumstances. When the journey became difficult and Naomi explained what lay ahead, Orpah decided to return.

Church, I have been in ministry, and I have seen people come and go. I have seen people become excited about the church, make powerful promises, and speak passionately about what God is doing. But when circumstances no longer favour them, they leave.

This is why we must distinguish between excitement and genuine commitment.

Some people can make beautiful promises, but difficult seasons reveal the depth of those promises.

Orpah returned. Ruth remained.

And sometimes, Church, the people who say the least are the ones who remain when everything becomes difficult.

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4. Ruth Translated the Fire Into Action

Ruth 1:15–18

Naomi tells Ruth:

“Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” — Ruth 1:15

Notice those words: “her people and her gods.”

Orpah went back to Moab. She went back to what she knew. She went back to her former environment and her former gods.

But Ruth responded differently:

“Where you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” — Ruth 1:16

Church, listen to Ruth!

She was saying, in effect, “Don’t ask me to turn back.”

Where you go, I will go.

Where you live, I will live.

Your people will be my people.

Your God will be my God.

Ruth had seen something through Naomi. She had encountered something through her relationship with this woman. And even though Naomi’s own faith appeared to have been shaken by what she had suffered, the fire she had poured into Ruth had not died.

Church, this is powerful for us. Sometimes the very people who raised us spiritually may one day become the people who need our prayers. Don’t abandon them because they are going through a difficult season. The person who once poured into you may one day need you to stand in the gap for them.

Ruth had received the fire, and now she was translating that fire into action.

It wasn’t just, “I believe in your God.”

It became, “Your God will be my God.”

That is discipleship.

That is commitment.

That is the Unleashing Agenda.

The fire of God cannot remain an emotional experience. It must become obedience, movement, commitment, and a lifestyle.

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5.“Where You Die, I Will Die”

Ruth 1:17–18

Ruth continues:

“Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.” — Ruth 1:17

Wow!

What a declaration of commitment.

She was not simply following Naomi to Bethlehem for a short visit. She had made a decision about her entire future.

And verse 18 says:

“When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.”

Church, sometimes you must be determined about what God has placed in your heart. When people see that you are genuinely committed, eventually the resistance will become silent.

There are moments when you don’t need to keep explaining yourself. You simply need to keep walking.

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6.“Do Not Call Me Naomi; Call Me Mara”

Ruth 1:19–21

When Naomi arrives in Bethlehem, the city is stirred.

“Is this Naomi?” — Ruth 1:19

But Naomi responds:

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

Naomi means pleasant, while Mara means bitter.

Church, Naomi had experienced genuine pain, and we should not minimize it. She had lost her husband and her two sons. She was returning home broken, and she interpreted her life through what she had suffered.

She said:

“I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty.” — Ruth 1:21

But look carefully: she was not empty.

Ruth was standing beside her.

Naomi could not yet see what God was about to do through the woman walking next to her.

Church, it is easy to read this story now and say, “Naomi should have had more faith.” But when you are actually inside the pain, things can look very different.

So let me encourage somebody: whatever you go through, don’t change your name.

Don’t allow your pain to redefine you.

Don’t allow disappointment to become your identity.

Don’t allow one difficult season to determine what you believe about your entire future.

Your story is not finished.

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7.They Arrived at the Beginning of the Harvest

Ruth 1:22

The chapter closes:

“So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her… and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.” — Ruth 1:22

Hallelujah!

Look at the progression.

The chapter began with famine, but it ends with harvest.

It began with departure, but it ends with return.

It began with death, but it ends with the beginning of something new.

Naomi thought she was empty, but God had preserved Ruth.

Ruth thought she was simply following her mother-in-law, but God was positioning her for something much greater.

Church, don’t judge your story by the first verse.

You may be in a difficult chapter, but God already knows the ending. You may feel empty, but God may have preserved something that will become the beginning of your next season.

The fire of God’s agenda must be translated into our decisions, our obedience, our relationships, our families, and our churches.

Tomorrow, God willing, we will continue with Ruth chapter 2 and see how this story begins to unfold.

Shalom

Rev Joseph Antwi

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Prayer Points

1. Thanksgiving: Thank the Lord for His Word and for the revelation He has given us through Ruth chapter 1.

2. Grace to endure: Pray that God will give us grace to endure pain, difficult seasons, and trials without giving up on Him. “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” — Matthew 24:13

3. Revival and souls: Pray that the Lord will stir up a fresh revival in us and in our churches, giving us a greater burden to reach the lost and win souls in our cities.

4. Increase our faith: Ask the Lord to increase your faith so that, like Ruth, you will remain committed to God even when the journey becomes difficult.

Church, if this devotion has blessed you, please don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with a friend, family member, or someone who needs encouragement today. You can also leave your thoughts and reflections in the comment section below.

And don’t forget that my book, Whether to Know He or She Is the One, is still available for purchase right here on this website.

May the Lord bless you, strengthen you, and keep you.

Shalom,

Rev. Joseph Antwi

Author: Rev. Joseph Antwi

Rev. Joseph Antwi is the District Pastor of the Basel City Churches District. He is passionate about teaching God’s Word, raising young disciples, and empowering believers to live purposefully and impact their generation through Christ.

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