The second act of the drama of the little Book of Ruth opens with Naomi determining to return to Bethlehem. At first, both her widowed daughters-in-law accompany her, but one turns back after Naomi urges her to return to her own mother's house. Her other daughter-in-law, Ruth, refuses to leave and declares that Naomi's people and people will become her people and God. She is leaving Moab for good.

Arriving in Bethlehem, Naomi declares her bitterness against God for all he allowed to happen to her. Yet, there may be some hope on the horizon as our author hints at things to come in the closing verse of this Act, in 1:22.

Though this passage is brief, Naomi and Ruth have things to teach us.