Lessons from Ruth: Death in the Family.

There is an old saying that has its origin in ancient superstition, “Bad things come in threes.” I don’t hold to superstition, but in the case of Naomi, this seems to be true. First there was a famine in the land which prompted the move to Moab. Second, it seems, soon after arriving in Moab, Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, dies. No cause is given, nor was any blame preferred on him for moving to a pagan land. Third, after a while, Naomi’s two sons also die. Upon her return to Bethlehem, Naomi expresses these heart-breaking words, “She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the ALMIGHTY has dealt very bitterly with me. 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 1:20-21) Why does she not want to be called Naomi? Her name comes from a word meaning ‘pleasant’ or ‘favor’. It is my understanding that the letter ‘I’ on the end of her name is a 1st Person Possessive, therefore, My Pleasantness or My Favor. Mara means ‘bitter’. Indeed, Naomi had become bitter in the pain of her losses. I think we can sympathize with her. Some who have endured similar situations can even feel her pain and feel it deeply. Naomi also does what many have done, she blames the LORD. In her eyes the LORD had dealt bitterly with her, brought her home empty, testified against her, and brought calamity upon her. I understand her feelings. In times past I have expressed similar words of blame and perhaps you have done so as well. Naomi was not perfect and neither are we. I am convinced, however, that the LORD has big enough shoulders and deep enough compassion that HE understands. But in all of this, Naomi does not stop believing in GOD and neither should we. The Psalmist wrote, “HE heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3) Healing will come! We must grow past and hold fast. Grow past the blame. Hold fast to HIS abiding love.

Russell Ashby