In the first chapter we are introduced right away to the context that sets the stage for the entire story. Our main characters find themselves living in a time where people are living as they please in rebellion words God. During a time of drought, in the land God had promised them a decision was made to take control and go to a place outside the promise of God. The story begins with out characters not trysting God. Yet, the word we find throughout the first chapter is "shut" which means to "return." The entire first chapter sets the theme of the story and what it means to return to God's grace – even in our sin and rebellion we see the evidence of God's grace as He draws us back to Himself.