From Bitter to Sweet

/ japfth

Questions:

  • Should we expect only good (and good things) from God?
  • If not, why do many people complain?
  • What does it reveal about a person’s theology when he/she says, “Why doesn’t God do something about ________?”

Text:

19So 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;[a] call me Mara,[b] 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 1:19-21)

Context, Context, Context: Noami was returning from Moab to Bethlehem in Judah c. 1000 B.C. Naomi’s husband and two sons-in-law had died. Her other daughter-in-law chose to remain in Moab. But Ruth had clung to Naomi. Ruth believed in her mother-in-law and in the Lord. And her behavior demonstrated that. She was making her theology visible.

Yet Naomi felt like God was against her (Naomi). How could a good God allow all this suffering? Wasn’t God supposed to be good? Should she not expect blessing rather than hardship?

Naomi even told the women, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20). Naomi means “pleasant,”but Mara means “bitter.”

Encouragement: But God. God was not finished with Naomi. And God was not finished with Ruth. God was still very much in the midst and working his plan for their good and his glory. God was about to introduce Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer into the plans he had for Naomi and Ruth. And Ruth would indeed “find favor” in his eyes. Ruth, a Moabitess, was finding favor in the eyes of the kinsman-redeemer. Those outside the camp, you see, were being brought inside. Why? Because the gospel is to go out to all—Jew and Gentile, male and female, native and foreigner—”red, yellow, black and white; they are precious in his sight.”

But God. God was using Naomi’s sufferings to reveal his grace and providence at the right time. The pilgrimage we are on necessitates trusting God. Why? For “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Leave a comment