All of this brought disaster on the family of Elimelek and his sons. In addition, the infertility was no accident. In light of God’s covenant stipulations, this was not simply incidental bad luck or fate. Thus, the outcomes of these tragedies were truly disastrous for Naomi. She suffered because of decisions that were not necessarily hers. Yet the same sovereign Lord has already begun a process whereby Naomi will not only survive but will be genealogically redeemed. He provides the stimulus to return to Bethlehem—Yahweh has given his people food (1:6).
