The Book of Ruth: Journey of Faith

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Your focus is off.

I can't do it,

grandfather.

I know what

is expected of me.

I'm just a shepherd.

Sit down.

I'm going to tell you a story

about hope, about trust,

about faith when we don't

understand God's plan.

It was the time

of the Judges.

The people were corrupt

and everyone did

as they saw fit.

When a great famine came upon

Israel, some families chose

to escape their plight and start

over in the pagan country

of Moab.

But soon Moab proved

to be none the better.

The crops withered

and the people suffered,

for there was no rain.

I miss you.

A miracle happened last night.

I awoke with a song in my heart,

a song only God could have

put there, a song that reminded

me of you, Elimelech.

For so long, I thought I would

never find peace again, but God

has given me that peace to

handle the memories of you.

I love you, husband.

God, thank You for that song,

thank You for that comfort.

I now ask that You give

that same comfort to my family.

Nothing grows here anymore.

My sons work day and night

in the field and still...

Nothing.

We're all so hungry,

but we will not give up.

You have healed my heart.

I know You can heal our land.

Please heal our land.

How did you get here?

Thank You, God, for allowing

something so beautiful to grow

in such a place.

Naomi, come quick.

It is Chilion.

Here, let me take him.

God, this must be a dream.

It's no dream, mother.

This town's put a curse

on this family.

Orpah, what happened?

He fainted.

His head fell against the well.

He'd been working out in

the fields all day and night

with nothing to eat.

Oh, oh, God, why did You

allow this to happen?

We never should have come

to this country.

Father should have kept us

in Bethlehem.

Oh, oh.

oh!

Oh, it feels good to be out

again.

Oh, doesnt it?

Sometimes you just need a change

of scenery, just to step up

from your troubles.

I hoped Orpah would come out

today as well.

It s been 10 months since

Chilion passed.

Can't seem to get her

out of the house.

We all deal with it

in different ways.

Why did you put that back?

Wishful thinking.

We dont have enough to spend.

We have enough, Ruth,

get what you want.

I cannot.

Ruth, choose what's best

for you.

What do you think of this?

It doesn't matter what

I think, get what you want.

All right, take that one.

It brings out your eyes.

Praise be the gods, Naomi,

what are you doing out today?

Well, I thought we both

needed a smile today.

Well, a woman in your

situation should not be

out on the town.

If I had lost my husband and my

eldest son, I would be at

the temple praying to the gods.

My God does not reside

in the temple,

He resides in my heart.

I hear your crops are rather

small again this year.

And I certainly hope that

nothing happens to Mahlon

as well, otherwise,

how do you intend

to provide for my daughter?

God will provide.

I hope so.

After all, I can't imagine her

alone and desolate in this

world with no husband.

Mother.

Come.

Dinner won't make itself.

Perhaps your God will

make it.

Perhaps I should start

making sacrifices to the gods.

Our fields will not prosper

simply because they are washed

in blood.

Mahlon works in the fields

and nothing grows.

Look in the fields where

Molech stands.

Molech, nor any of the other

God of Moab is the answer.

Then why haven't you been

blessed in this place?

I have been blessed,

for my son found you.

I'll see if Orpah needs

help with dinner.

Yes.

Go inside, mother.

I will be done shortly.

You look weak.

You need rest.

My strength is fine.

It is the field that is weak.

Let it be for now,

God will take care of it.

Is that what you told

Chilion?

He will take care of this.

God will never give us any more

than we can handle.

Then where is He?

I work hard and I am good

to my family just like father.

What more does God require

for us to be blessed?

All He asks for is our trust.

Trust?

Mother, how do you trust

when you can't even see

who's leading you?

What if the people of Moab

are right?

What if we are following

the wrong God?

Oh, no, He is real, Mahlon,

our God is not this God that

you speak of.

He is real.

Mahlon, you must keep

your faith.

I'm telling you this family

is cursed.

Shh, you want mother

to hear you say that?

Naomi is not my mother.

I told her once Chilion died,

she could stop calling me

daughter.

I'm going back to live

with my family.

You're just going to leave?

You forget, we have obligations

to Naomi.

We are her family.

I have no obligations

anymore.

Naomi and the Israelites do

not believe as we believe.

That is why this family is

cursed.

Naomi has been good to us.

My parents never should have

arranged this.

It was a mistake to marry

an Israelite.

Naomi would do anything

for you.

Ruth... I'm realizing that I

no longer want what she has

to give.

Orpah, it is our duty

to be good to her.

We are her daughters through

marriage.

It's not only the right thing

to do, it's the custom,

it's law.

Don not lecture me about

the laws of Moab.

I don't see you making any

sacrifices to appease the gods.

All she wants is our love

and support, not rituals.

As long as we're under her

roof, we should not be making

sacrifices.

Then I'll no longer be

under her roof.

I'm going back to what

I believe.

Isn't there a part of you

that believes something beyond

our gods, something better?

Where's Mahlon?

He is still working.

Perhaps you can go

and talk to him.

come inside and eat with us.

Ruth, I must finish this.

Mahlon, please.

When will things change

for this family?

Soon.

It'll only be hard

for a season.

When will the season end?

I'm beginning to think your

people are right when they say

our familys being punished.

I do not believe people who

slay the innocent to please

the gods have a right to choose

who should be punished.

I do not know what to do

anymore.

I could always become

a temple maiden.

No.

I dont want you have any part

of that.

Neither do I but I have to

believe it all will work out.

You sound just like my

mother.

Come inside.

The field can wait,

but dinner cannot.

The field can wait,

but dinner cannot.

oh, God.

Why?

Why did You not take me?

Why am I the only one left?

I swear there was no priest,

and at a funeral.

No wonder she's lost her

entire family.

She's angry at the gods.

Oh, Orpah.

Come here.

Come.

She can tell you all about

that woman

She was her other

daughter in law.

Hello Beth.

Your poor parents.

Why they must be just as

distraught as I am about

arranging you into that family.

Why the only good to come

of it is that neither you

nor Ruth ever conceived.

Someday I plan to remarry.

But, of course, you will.

But two barren daughters

in one household.

Well, I hope Naomi at least

learns from this and tries to

make peace with the gods.

Mother!

Ruth.

Your husband has left you

empty handed and neither of you

have any children to support

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