What does Ruth 1:19 mean?
Naomi and Ruth have finally arrived in Bethlehem. It has been ten years since Naomi lived here, and longer than that since she has seen the fields filled with barley, ready to harvest (Ruth 1:1–5). Ruth has likely never seen Bethlehem. Undoubtedly, she has heard about it since she was married to Naomi's son. She is a Moabitess and, despite her vulnerable position as a young, unmarried, pagan foreigner, her first and only order of business is to take care of Naomi.Naomi likely doesn't know what to expect when she arrives. At this point in life, her hope is as dead as her husband and sons. The town—especially the women—are excited over her return. Their wondering question probably reflects the change in Naomi since they saw her last. The women ask if this is really the same person. They are more than likely happy to see her but would have made note of her desperate situation.
Assuming the local people are joyful, Naomi can't return their sentiment. She abandons her name, which means "pleasant," and insists the women call her Mara, which means "bitter." In her mind, this is a better description, since she feels God has deliberately dealt her a series of tragedies (Ruth 1:13, 20).
Despite the fields filled with barley (Ruth 1:22)—proof that God has removed His judgment of famine and blessed His people again—Naomi has no hope. The loss of husband and sons would weigh on any woman to a depth which loving friends would not be able to reach. But Naomi has even more reasons to mourn: she lives in an ancient patriarchal society. Her late husband sold his family land when they fled to Moab. Her options are to beg, to scavenge enough from the fields to prevent starvation, to become a servant, or to become a prostitute. That she's beyond childbearing age suggest the last three options would be especially difficult.
In addition, with the deaths of her sons, she has seen the end of her husband's family line. His land is owned by another and will not go to Elimelech's heir. She left this region as the wife of a landowner, having given him two heirs. She returns destitute and dishonored.
Ruth 1:19–22 describes Naomi's return to Bethlehem. Ten years prior, she fled with an empty stomach, but also with a husband and sons who filled her hands with blessings. Now, Bethlehem can again fill her stomach, but her family has died. In her bitterness, she seems to forget the faithful, loving Moabite daughter-in-law who has followed her and vows to stay at her side. She will learn soon enough how God will use Ruth to restore her hope and her future.
Ruth 1 depicts how a person can feel "starved" for things other than food. Elimelech and his wife, Naomi, flee a famine in Bethlehem and settle in Moab where there is plenty of food and their sons find devoted wives. Within ten years, however, Naomi's husband and sons are dead. When she hears Judah has food again, she prepares to return as an old, bitter widow. One daughter-in-law, Ruth, insists on accompanying her. On the surface, a young Moabite widow in Israel would be the last person who could help, but God honors Ruth's lovingkindness and eventually uses her to restore Naomi's hope and future.
