Episode notes

We’re very excited for our new Mini Quiet Time series “Where You Go I Go”: a four part series on the book of Ruth. Today’s episode is Part 1: “Naomi’s Brokenness Makes Her Whole.”

The book of Ruth tells us how God wove together the lives of three people at just the right time and in just the right way. These three people were Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz.

we, too-the many-are different parts that form one body in the Anointed One. Each one of us is joined with one another, and we become together what we could not be alone.

Romans 12:5 VOICE

This book tells us of people broken by life — by pain, grief, disappointment, and chronic heartbreak. Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz had incomplete stories filled with broken dreams and unfinished destinies. And yet, one by one, God fit the pieces of their lives into place so that they became together what none of them could have been alone.

We can learn from their stories how God is always working to fill our emptiness and make our broken parts whole through our relationships with one another.

References:

He’s Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself

we, too-the many-are different parts that form one body in the Anointed One. Each one of us is joined with one another, and we become together what we could not be alone.

Romans 12:5 VOICE

‘Long ago, during the time the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man named Elimelech left the town of Bethlehem in Judah. He, his wife, and his two sons moved to the country of Moab. The man’s wife was named Naomi, and his two sons were named Mahlon and Kilion. They were from the Ephrathah family of Bethlehem in Judah. The family traveled to the hill country of Moab and stayed there. Later, Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, died, so only Naomi and her two sons were left. Her sons married women from the country of Moab. One wife’s name was Orpah, and the other wife’s name was Ruth. They lived in Moab about ten years; then Mahlon and Kilion also died. So Naomi was left alone without her husband or her two sons.’

Ruth 1:1-5 ERV

While Naomi was in the country of Moab, she heard that the LORD had helped his people. He had given food to his people in Judah. So Naomi decided to leave the hill country of Moab and go back home. Her daughters-in-law also decided to go with her. [7] They left the place where they had been living and started walking back to the land of Judah. [8] Then Naomi told her daughters-in-law, “Each of you should go back home to your mother. You have been very kind to me and my sons who are now dead. So I pray that the LORD will be just as kind to you. [9] I pray that the LORD will help each of you find a husband and a good home.” Naomi kissed her daughters-in-law, and they all started crying. [10] Then the daughters said, “But we want to come with you and go to your family.” [11] But Naomi said, “No, daughters, go back to your own homes. Why should you go with me? I can’t have any more sons to be your husbands.

Ruth 1:6-11 ERV

Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me— even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons—would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has gone out against me!”

Ruth 1:12–13 NIV

At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye, but Ruth clung to her. “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

Ruth 1:14–18 NIV

I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him.

Hosea 11:4 NLT

Naomi and Ruth traveled until they came to the town of Bethlehem. When the two women entered Bethlehem, all the people were very excited. They said, “Is this Naomi?” [20] But Naomi told the people, “Don’t call me Naomi; call me Marah. Use this name because God All-Powerful has made my life very sad. [21] I had everything I wanted when I left, but now, the LORD brings me home with nothing. The LORD has made me sad, so why should you call me ‘Happy’? God All-Powerful has given much trouble to me.” [22] So Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth, the Moabite, came back from the hill country of Moab. These two women came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

Ruth 1:19-22 ERV
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Mini Quiet Times are short, immersive podcast episodes that bring scriptures to life to help you connect with God. A typical episode lasts between 6-12 minutes.

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