Ruth 1:11–13 (ESV) —
11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me?
Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a
husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this
night and should bear sons, 13 would you therefore wait till
they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters,
for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord has
gone out against me.”
NOTE: Is Naomi
bitter? Is she blaming God for her plight? Or is she acknowledging God's
sovereignty and the pain that she is experiencing? If the latter, I would argue
that response is the healthiest and most honest. She knows he is in charge. She
also knows that God is still working. God uses her pain to drive her back to
the land and to her family. God also uses her circumstances to bless Boaz, and
to bless Ruth, a new convert to faith. I am convinced, if only by Ruth's
response, that Naomi is not a bitter woman. That type of woman (or man) is no
pleasure to follow or to live near. I think there is something different that
cause both daughters to follow her at first, and for Ruth to cling to her even
when told to go home. Naomi is a redeemed woman, who is in pain, but also
recognizes that God is using her pain to bring good to her life. How do we
respond to pain? It may not be from God, but his promise is that he can use it
to bring good in a believer's life (Rom 8:28).
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