We have come to the end of ‘meeting’ the characters of the Book of Ruth. Today we meet Naomi, who was the one who instigated and held the story together. It was her family’s journey to Moab that began the process that led to Ruth’s marriage to Boaz and a place in God’s work of salvation.
The image is Ruth Swearing to Naomi by Jan Victors, 1653. I chose it because, as many artists have done, Victors dresses the women in contemporary clothing rather than Middle Eastern garb. I think this helps us understand the timelessness of this story and the way God continues to work our salvation through the loving actions of everyday people. Naomi’s life and actions impacted each person she met. We also make a difference, hopefully for good, with those we interact with.
My life has never been easy. I think the Living God has been testing me from the beginning. I was born during the Exodus and married Elimelech while we were still traveling around. I could tell you stories of all the miracles that the Holy One of Israel did while we wandered. There was the daily manna-the sweetish bread-like food we ate. There was water flowing from a rock. There was the ever-present pillar of cloud and fire that we followed. At first, I was afraid of that, but you get used to it.
There were scary things too, like the snakes that killed many in the camp until Moses made a bronze snake on a pole. There was the time Miriam, Moses’ sister, got leprosy and had to live outside the camp for a week. I never understood why that happened.
Then we finally came to the Jordan River. Moses had died and Joshua was the leader. It was time to enter the “Promised Land”. It didn’t seem possible. Always that had been just a distant dream. Joshua told the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant to step into the River. Then the waters stopped flowing! All of us crossed the riverbed without getting our feet wet. I still get shivers thinking of that day. It was like the stories told of Moses separating the waters in Egypt so the Children of Israel could escape.
The strangest thing was walking around the city of Jericho in complete silence for seven days. When we finally shouted and attacked, we defeated the defenders of the city. We were free to settle in the lands given to each tribe.
Elimelech and I came to Ephrath, his ancestral hometown. We discovered it had been re-named Beyt-Lehem in honor of a local god. All the Children of Israel continued to call it Ephrath. Although now, some are saying that the name is Bethlehem (meaning House of Bread) rather than Beyt-Lehem for the god. It doesn’t matter to me.
When the Great Famine came, Elimelech thought we should move to Moab. We resettled there and were happy enough. When he died, my sons took care of me. They married Orpah and Ruth, local girls. We were content, even though I missed my husband.
My sons were killed, and that was the end of happiness. The townsfolk said it was raiders who burned our crops and murdered Mahlon and Chilion. They never knew that I overheard some speculation that it was really a couple of locals who hated us for being foreigners.
Gradually my dowry dwindled, starvation loomed, and I decided to return to this place. I can at least die among my own people, I thought. My daughter-in-law, Ruth, refused to let me go alone. She has been a great comfort. The people here have welcomed her for my sake. I think they have come to honor her devotion.
In fact, I noticed that Boaz, son of Salmon and Rahab, was interested in Ruth. I encouraged her to seduce him at the threshing floor. Even though I wasn’t sure it would work, I knew it would be the best solution and give her the security of a husband.
And God is gracious, Boaz married her! I am glad that she will be cared for. She has just given birth to a son. He will be named Obed. As the neighboring women say, “The Living God has not left you without next-of-kin. This child shall be a blessing, and your daughter-in-law, who loves you, has given birth to him.”
I think the best years of my life are ahead.
Naomi had a difficult life of travel and tragedy. Yet, God is present through it all. Can you see God’s hand in some difficult time in your life?
Naomi was an Evangelist even if she didn’t know that word. Her life and actions pointed others to God, even in her darkest times. How do you think you are an evangelist?
© Cynthia Davis 2020
The story found in the Book of Ruth is one I told in my book Naomi’s Joy. A study guide for that book is now available for free download, or you can request a print copy ($5 to cover shipping). The study looks at the biblical record on which Naomi’s Joy is based and guides you in making a Tree of Faith as you consider the story of Naomi and Ruth in light of Jeremiah 17:8. (They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.)
As you think about your life’s faith journey, and ‘grow’ a tree to represent it, I hope you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the work of God in your life. This might be a study aide for Lent since there are 6 parts to the study.
On this blog during Lent, we'll be looking at ways God calls us Again and Again. We RE-Pent, RE-Member, RE-New and so on. If you are in NM or SW TX, you could also attend the Women's Ministry Retreat with that same topic. Info and registration can be found on the Women's Ministry website.
