BITTERNESS WILL ROT YOUR SOUL BUT CHRIST WILL MAKE IT SWEET: Ruth 1:19-22

OUTLINE

I. Naomi and Ruth returned to the Bethlehem, the House of Bread (v.19)

II. Naomi wanted her named changed from Pleasant to Bitter because the LORD had dealt bitterly with her (v.20)

III. Naomi looked only at her current circumstance, even misconstruing the story of her life (v.21a)

IV. Naomi knew that it was the LORD who had brought calamity on her, though she wrongly understood why (v.21b)

V. Despite the bitterness of Naomi, the LORD was working to redeem both her and Ruth (v.22)

DISCUSSION Read verses 19-22.

1. How does Naomi react when she comes home to Bethlehem?

2. Did she respond more like Job or Job’s wife? See Job 1-2

3. Why is verse 22 significant in the narrative of the book of Ruth?