“When the Bottom Falls Out: Finding God in the Famine”
Text: Ruth 1:1–5
Have you ever been through a season in life when it felt like everything just… fell apart? When tragedy seemed to follow tragedy? When all your plans and hopes collapsed under the weight of loss or disappointment? The opening verses of the book of Ruth give us just such a story—a story of famine, loss, and despair. And yet, hidden within it is a deeper truth: even in the darkest moments, God is not absent.
The Hardships of Naomi and Ruth
Ruth 1:1–5 sets the scene:
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A famine strikes Bethlehem—“the house of bread” no longer has bread.
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Elimelech and Naomi flee with their two sons to Moab, a land historically opposed to Israel.
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There, Elimelech dies.
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Then, both sons—Mahlon and Chilion—die after marrying Moabite women.
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Naomi is left a widow with no sons and only two foreign daughters-in-law.
This is a cascade of loss: economic displacement, cultural isolation, and finally, the deep personal grief of losing husband and children. Naomi’s life went from full to empty.
The Human Condition Reflected
This story is not just about one family. It mirrors the story of the human race:
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Famine: Just as physical famine drove Naomi’s family from home, we too live in a world of spiritual famine. The Bible says, “Man shall not live by bread alone…” (Matthew 4:4). We hunger for peace, purpose, and identity.
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Displacement and Death: Like Naomi, we suffer from the brokenness of a fallen world. Sin has exiled humanity from Eden. We experience grief, loneliness, and the disintegration of what once was whole.
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Loss of Legacy: Naomi’s sons represented her future and security. Humanity, too, has lost its eternal inheritance through sin, leaving us feeling hopeless and empty—“without hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12).
God’s Hidden Hand in Hard Times
Even though God’s name is not directly mentioned in these first five verses, His presence is not absent.
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The famine brought them to Moab—a place they never would have chosen. But from Moab, God would bring Ruth into the story of salvation.
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Ruth’s loyalty would lead her back to Bethlehem, where she would become the great-grandmother of David, and an ancestor of Christ.
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What seemed like divine abandonment was, in fact, divine positioning.
Romans 8:28 reminds us: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God.”
In the moment, Naomi could not see God’s hand. She would even say later, “The Almighty has dealt bitterly with me.” But the story wasn’t over.
Takeaways for Us Today
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Loss doesn’t mean God has left you.
Like Naomi, we often interpret pain as absence. But pain can be part of God's providence—shaping a greater redemption. -
God works in foreign places.
Moab was outside the promised land, but not outside God’s reach. Even when we are far from where we think we should be, God still moves. -
Our story is part of a bigger story.
Naomi couldn’t have known that Ruth’s story would lead to Jesus. We rarely see the full picture now, but God is weaving something greater.
How About Us?
The first five verses of Ruth could be a tragedy in themselves. But they are only the beginning. Just like our lives—what feels like an end may actually be the place where redemption begins. God is not only the God of celebration; He is also the God who meets us in famine, death, and sorrow—and leads us home.
Call to Action:
If you’re in a Moab season—feeling lost, empty, or forgotten—don’t give up. Like Naomi and Ruth, your story may feel broken now, but God is still writing. Trust Him, even in the silence. The Redeemer is coming.
More: Lesson 11: Ruth and Naomi
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