This was the time of the judges, meaning it was a time when the nation had no sense of direction and was neglecting God's ways. There was a famine in the land, so a man and his wife, Naomi, left Bethlehem to go to Moab, along with their two sons. While in Moab the two sons married Moabite women. The Moabites were descendants of Lot (Genesis 19:36-38). Now notice that Israelites were not meant to marry Moabite women, but no criticism is voiced here. Sometimes things happen in life that really should not happen, but not everything spells disaster, and God works through all sorts of situations.
Orpah and Ruth were the two women. In time Naomi's husband and her two sons died.
The time of famine came to an end, and Naomi decided to head back home. Naomi cared for her daughters-in-law, and released them to return to their home and fine new husbands there. Initially both refused to leave, but eventually Orpah did leave. Ruth, however, insisted on staying with Naomi, making the declaration that "your people will be my people, and your God my God". This is a model for Gentiles coming into the kingdom.
So Naomi and Ruth returned home. Not surprisingly Naomi was deeply affected by all that had happened to her, all her losses. So she said call me Mara (meaning bitter), not Naomi (pleasant). This did not mean that God could not work through her. We are affected by the events of life, and we don't always get "healed" immediately. Sometimes we remain wounded for a considerable time, but this does not mean that the Lord cannot work in our lives.
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