Naomi and Elimelech had two grown sons, Mahlon and Chilion, and lived in Bethlehem many centuries ago. Because of a severe famine in Judah, the family migrated to Moab on the east side of the Dead Sea. While there Elimelech died and Mahlon and Chilion married two Moabite women – Ruth and Orpah respectively.
After ten years, Naomi’s two sons died. Naomi heard the famine had ended and decided to return to Bethlehem. Her two daughters-in-law pleaded to go with, but Naomi urged them to turn back saying, “It grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me.” She could not disguise the bitterness she felt towards the Lord – first the death of her husband, then her two sons, and no grandchildren. Why does God treat me so harshly? What did I do to deserve such discipline? The three women wept together in a tight cluster. “Now go,” Naomi urged.
Opah agreed to return to her people and kissed Naomi goodbye, but Ruth clung to her mother-in-law. “Wherever you go, I will go. Your people shall be my people and your God my God.” She convinced Naomi with actions above and beyond a person’s loyal love. However, Naomi still felt bitter, abandoned by God, and depressed, but agreed Ruth could travel to Bethlehem with her.
When Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem, the women of the town exclaimed, “Is this Naomi?” Naomi did not greet the women in return. “Do not call me Naomi! Call me Mara for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I have no husband and no sons! My daughter-in-law alone has retured with me.”
Charles Stanley said in a sermon, “Dark moments of our lives will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us. Sometimes these dark moments last, days, weeks, months, or even years. Sometimes we encounter dark moments by our own doing; sometimes not. But, remember, God’s ultimate purpose for each of us is to be conformed to the likenes of Christ Jesus.” Stanley continued, “We must not allow ourselves to blame God for our dark moments. It only leads to bitterness and rebellion.”
Maybe you are experiencing an seemingly unrelenting dark time and feel God’s hand is against you. Be assured – God is faithful in His love for us even when we blame Him for our adverse situations.
God demonstrated His loving actions above and beyond when He provided Ruth with work in the field of a wealthy man whom she married. Boaz showed extraordinary concern for Ruth’s provision and protection which he also extended to Naomi. His kind actions to both women went above and beyond his responsibilities to provide and to protect.
Ruth conceived and had a son, Obed, who became the father of Jesse, who would become the father of King David. That makes Ruth David’s great-grandmother, and is counted in the geneology of Jesus Christ. A Moabite woman counted in the Jewish heritage of Jesus, the Messiah. Imagine that!
God is faithful. His grand purpose for you and for me is demonstrated in His actions above and beyond our wildest imaginations when He sent Jesus to redeem us and adopt us into the family of the living God.