Ruth 1:19-22
Naomi and Ruth Return
19 So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” 20 She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
In today’s passage, Ruth 1:19-22, we address an interesting segment in the story of Naomi. This episode causes some to cringe and wonder how a passage from the Word of God would even include a story that shows a side of humanity that it not flattering in the life of a believer. Lee Stroble is a Christian Apologist, who wrote some popular books, including, A Case for Christ and A Case for Faith. Strobel was an atheist as a young adult and set out to analyze God’s Word to prove Christians are wrong. Yet, in the due process of time, God used His Word through the teaching of the Holy Spirit to change Strobel inside-out. Strobel is now a “born-again” Christian and a defender of the Christian faith. Many denounce Christianity claiming that the Bible is nothing but myths, fiction, and folklore. However, when Scripture shows a certain aspect of a flawed human nature in the life of a believer, that is not grounds for dismissing the Bible, according to Strobel. Instead, that gives reason to treasure it. The Bible, from Genesis to Revelations, paints a story of man’s depraved nature that is hopeless without the intervention and grace of God.
Today’s passage will highlight Naomi’s attempt to reconcile her emotions with the physical reality that she has suffered a great loss. Naomi lost her husband and her two sons. By the hands of the sovereign Lord, Naomi is humbled. Matthew Henry says, “It well becomes us to have our hearts humbled under humbling providences. When our condition is brought down our spirits should be brought down with it. And then our troubles are sanctified to us when we thus comport with them; for it is not an affliction itself, but an affliction borne, that does us good.”
We all suffer loss in our lives. Mourning the loss of our loved ones makes us human. Yet, we as Christians do not mourn hopelessly, like those who have no hope in the resurrection of the dead with Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13). We mourn our loss and allow God to heal us with Scripture as the source of all comfort. When Naomi and Ruth came into Bethlehem, the whole town took notice and was stirred up in amazement! They were amazed, probably because Naomi was without her husband and sons, and clothed in dirty and torn clothing from the long trip they took on foot. She was also probably frail and thin because she was not able to eat on their long, treacherous journey. The women of the town asked, “Is this Naomi?” Naomi responded with hurt and emptiness from the very depths of her soul and said, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” (Ruth 1:20-21). Naomi’s Hebrew name means “beautiful” and “gentle”. Naomi told the woman to not call her “beautiful and gentle.” They should call her Mara, which is a Hebrew word for ‘bitter’ as seen in Exodus 15:22-27. Naomi was discouraged. At this moment in time, she was convinced that God was treating her bitterly. She left Bethlehem full, but now ten years later, Naomi returns empty. Naomi says the Lord has testified against her and brought her calamity. We need not be too harsh on Naomi. For the Lord says in Psalm 51:17 says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” The Lord, who is our shepherd, will guide and lead us to green pastures, and to the valleys of the shadow of death (Psalm 23). Our walk is to follow Him by faith. And this is our testament and our sacrifice to God.
Today’s passage does not present Naomi with great faith, and that is okay. In her circumstances, she is mourning the loss of a spouse and all her children. What a horrific experience! Naomi, who once depended on her husband to provide for her needs, is now maturing in her faith so she can trust and depend solely on her Lord God. She is not a complete example of strength, yet. Nevertheless, Naomi is progressing, little by little, in her sanctification to become more like her Lord. At this moment in time, when she and Ruth entered the town, she was humbled, and emotionally and spiritually distraught. Like the Apostle Paul, we all hope to boast in our weakness (1 Corinthians 15:31) so God may be glorified by others.
In application, I hope we all can see, by divine inspiration from the Holy Spirit of God, God understands our weaknesses and that we will err in our faith at times. This is how we grow, by falling forward, not backward. We need to learn a lesson today. We are to recognize that our God does bring suffering, but He brings it for our good. We must never shamefully blame God for our sufferings. Sometimes, we suffer as a consequence of our sins. We also suffer because of the consequences of other people’s sins. And, we suffer because we live in a fallen world and bad things do happen to good people. Jesus Christ says in Matthew 5:45, “So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” We must realize that God is good all the time; and all the time, God is good!
God’s attributes of goodness, mercy, and love are prominent throughout the book of Ruth. In Ruth 1:22, it says that Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. They, who are poor, humble, and hungry, with no hopes for a morsel of food, arrive just in time for the barley harvest. Many may miss this point. But this final, seemingly insignificant statement, proclaims the goodness of God. At the right moment, God is there! That we can depend on! Therefore, in all things, may Jesus Christ be praised!
><> ><> PRAYER <>< <><
My God of all mercy, grace, and love! I praise and thank You for Your presence in my life. My God, with You, I am nothing and I realize, my only hope is their world in You. Help me in my unbelief. Help me when I am at broken and distraught. May I always be strong in my faith no matter what my circumstances in life may be. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen!
><> ><> HYMN <>< <><
Spirit of the Living God, by Daniel Iverson in 1926
