Ruth 1:1-5
Sermon Overview
" Ruth 1:1-5, opens the story of Ruth during the chaotic days of the judges, marked by famine and disobedience. Elimelech flees Bethlehem (the “house of bread”) to Moab with Naomi and their sons, sojourning in a pagan land instead of trusting God. The sermon highlights God’s providence even in judgment and human failure, using the acronym RUTH (Raised Up To Honor) to point to the Lord as the true Hero who redeems His people through hardship. Elimelech’s decision leads to tragedy, but God is already at work to raise up honor from ashes. Believers are called to trust God in famine, flee sin rather than sojourn in it, and remember that the Lord redeems even our worst failures for His glory.
Key Takeaways
The story opens “in the days when the judges ruled” with famine in Bethlehem. The sermon shows this as a time of widespread disobedience where everyone did what was right in their own eyes, mirroring our culture’s subjectivity.
Instead of trusting God in famine, Elimelech flees to Moab. The sermon warns that fear-driven decisions to “sojourn” in sin lead to tragedy and further disobedience (Moabite wives).
God uses famine and tragedy to draw His people back. The sermon emphasizes that the Lord is the true Hero who redeems even our failures, raising up honor from ashes.
Raised Up To Honor. The sermon uses this to remind us the story is ultimately about the Lord’s redemptive work, pointing forward to the greater Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Weekly Devotional
Day 1: The Days of the Judges
Scripture: Ruth 1:1
Devotional Idea: Recognize the danger of doing what is right in our own eyes.
The story opens in the chaotic days of the judges when everyone did what was right in their own eyes. The sermon warns this subjectivity leads to famine and disobedience. Reflect on areas where you follow your own wisdom. The sermon calls for trusting God’s Word. How can you submit your decisions to Scripture? Ask God to guard you from self-rule.
Day 2: Famine and Flight
Scripture: Ruth 1:1
Devotional Idea: Trust God in seasons of famine.
A famine strikes Bethlehem, and Elimelech flees to Moab. The sermon shows God uses hardship to draw His people back. Reflect on current “famines” in your life. The sermon warns against fleeing God’s discipline. How can you wait on the Lord? Ask God to strengthen your trust in His provision.
Day 3: Sojourning in Sin
Scripture: Ruth 1:1-2
Devotional Idea: Flee sin rather than sojourn in it.
Elimelech sojourns in Moab, a pagan land. The sermon warns that temporary compromise in sin leads to long-term tragedy. Reflect on areas where you are “sojourning” in disobedience. The sermon calls for radical obedience. How can you flee sin today? Ask God for strength to obey.
Day 4: God’s Redemptive Plan
Scripture: Ruth 1:5
Devotional Idea: Trust God’s redemption in tragedy.
Naomi is left without husband and sons. The sermon shows God redeems even our worst failures. Reflect on personal losses or failures. The sermon points to the greater Redeemer. How does Christ bring hope from ashes? Ask God to reveal His redemptive purpose.
Day 5: Raised Up to Honor
Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5
Devotional Idea: Remember RUTH – Raised Up To Honor.
The sermon uses the acronym RUTH to point to God’s redemptive work. Reflect on how God raises honor from hardship. The sermon calls for trust in the Lord as Hero. How can you honor God in your story? Thank Him for His redeeming grace.
Reflection and Application Questions
- Reflection: How does Elimelech’s decision to flee to Moab illustrate the danger of fear-driven disobedience?
- Reflection: Why is it significant that God uses famine and tragedy to draw His people back, even when they fail?
- Reflection: How does the acronym RUTH (Raised Up To Honor) point to the Lord as the true Hero of the story?
- Application: Identify one area where you are tempted to “sojourn” in sin; commit to fleeing it this week.
- Application: In a current hardship, choose to trust God’s providence and thank Him for His redemptive purpose.
Scripture References and Cross-References
- Main Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5
- Cross-References: Judges 21:25 (everyone did what was right in their own eyes), Deuteronomy 23:3 (Moabites excluded), Genesis 19 (origin of Moab), Proverbs 3:5-6 (trust in the Lord), Jeremiah 29:11 (God’s plans), Romans 5:20 (grace abounds)
Westminster Confession Connection
Ruth 1:1-5’s portrayal of God’s providence amid famine and human disobedience aligns with the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 5, Section 1, which teaches that God upholds, directs, and governs all things by His wise and holy providence for His glory and the good of His church. The sermon’s emphasis on God redeeming even Elimelech’s failure reflects this sovereign care. Believers are called to trust God’s plan in hardship rather than flee in fear.
Westminster Confession Citation
Chapter 5, Section 1: God the great Creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by His most wise and holy providence… to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy. [Scripture proofs: Hebrews 1:3; Daniel 4:34-35; Psalm 135:6; Acts 17:25-26, 28; Job 38-41]
Catechism Connections
Shorter Catechism, Q. 11: What are God’s works of providence? God’s works of providence are, His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all His creatures, and all their actions. [Scripture proofs: Psalm 145:17; Psalm 104:24; Hebrews 1:3; Psalm 103:19]
Larger Catechism, Q. 18: What are God’s works of providence? God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory. [Scripture proofs: Psalm 145:17; Psalm 104:24; Isaiah 28:29; Hebrews 1:3; Psalm 103:19; Matthew 10:29-31]
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