Ruth 1:19 – 22 “So Naomi and Ruth traveled until they came to Bethlehem. When they entered Bethlehem, the whole city was stirred because of them, and the women of the city exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”
“Do not call me Naomi, (pleasant) ” she replied. “Call me Mara, (bitter) because the Almighty has dealt quite bitterly with me. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me.”
So Naomi returned from the land of Moab with her daughter-in-law Ruth the Moabitess. And they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.”
Poor Naomi! Ten years ago, Naomi’s family left Bethlehem with Naomi, her husband, and two sons. Perhaps there may have been several servants and a number of donkeys. Now Naomi is returning as a widow whose sons are dead, accompanied only by her daughter – in – law and a single donkey. When Naomi left, she was tall and graceful and her hair was jet black. As the wife of a wealthy man, Naomi was clothed beautifully and wore a few tasteful gold ornaments. Now Naomi’s hair has turned white from the stress of her bereavement, and her once – cheerful face is marred by sadness. Instead of the fine linen Naomi used to wear, she is clothed in the sack cloth appropriate to mourners. There are no ear rings or nose rings or bracelets or necklaces. Naomi’s feet are shod in worn – out sandals and gritty from the dust of travel. Little wonder that the women of the city are exclaiming, “Can this be Naomi?”
Although Naomi’s appearance has excited comment, the biggest change is Naomi’s personality. Once Naomi was one of the most positive and encouraging people in Bethlehem, truly living up to the meaning of her name. Now Naomi doesn’t even want to claim her name but insists that people should call her “Mara” or “bitter instead because she feels God has abandoned her.
APPLICATION: Ever feel that God has abandoned you and that you are in a deep deep hole with no way out? Welcome to the ranks of those who have suffered! It’s amazing but when you are in the midst of a problem with no visible way out, there are ALWAYS those who are more than willing to offer advice – most of it rubbish!
Several years ago, we returned to America after a very difficult first missionary term. The group that sent us out had overlooked enormous problems with the project to which they sent us. Our living situation was a nightmare for several months. When we attempted to correct some of the problems, we found ourselves misunderstood and severely criticized by the very people who had sent us there.
Once we returned to America, we found ourselves surrounded by well – intentioned friends with no understanding of our situation. We soon learned that it was those who had suffered the most themselves who were the most helpful. I finally told one sympathetic friend who did understand our situation that I didn’t want to hear from anyone else who had not earned their Ph. D. in suffering! We certainly understood how Naomi must have felt when she returned bereaved and penniless to Bethlehem.
BUT in Naomi’s story, there is a tiny ray of hope, no more than a gleam on the horizon. “And they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.” Naomi had no idea that the timing of Ruth’s and her arrival was so important, but God did. All the way from Moab, God guided Ruth and Naomi so that they would arrive in Bethlehem precisely at the correct time. The barley harvest was starting, and farmers needed as much help as possible. Good workers were in short supply, and Ruth was a good worker. God was about to graphically demonstrate that Naomi was wrong and that He had neither testified against her nor afflicted her.
Our story also had a happy ending. God used the struggles we endured during our first missionary term to teach us a number of important lessons very quickly. During our first time in Ghana, we became acquainted with leaders of the Assemblies of God Ghana Church. Eventually the AG Ghana Church invited us to work in their clinic in Saboba, Northern Region, launching us on the continuation of our missionary careers. But our sufferings during our first term were necessary and educational. We learned to trust God and not ourselves, particularly when it appeared that all might be falling apart.
Do you feel that you are in a deep hole? Call out to God! No matter how restricted your hole is, there is always room for God in there. And once there is room for God, He will give you a way out. But be prepared for the way to be tough; most of us learn our most important lessons the hard way. And hang in there! God is not through with you yet.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You that even when our situations look bleak, You are already making a way for us. Thank You that You love us and care for us. Thank You also for leading us through difficulties so that we can be stronger and more compassionate to those around us. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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