One’s heart cannot help but break when you read of Naomi’s misery in the first chapter of Ruth. She is in a foreign land with no Husband. She has out lived her children. She is destitute with no male relatives to care and provide for her. No Grandkids which means there is no one to carry on the family name. Naomi is in a hopeless situation. She has hit rock bottom.

You can understand why she tells her daughter in-laws:

“No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.”

In other words – “God is against me and if you stick around, your life will become a bitter misery like mine.”

Or what about what Naomi says to the people in Bethlehem who came to greet her and Ruth on their arrival:

“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?”

I get it. Naomi is hurting and is angry at God. If we are honest with ourselves, we have all probably been there at one point in our lives. Perhaps not to the extent of Naomi but maybe you have questioned what God is doing or have been angry at him for the circumstances that you may have found yourself in. 

Come on, lets admit it – we have all done the fist shake at God!

One thing that the author of Ruth does very well is to contrast Naomi’s misery with the very subtle workings of God throughout the story. God wasn’t passive and evasive in this passage but was behind the scenes working all things of this for His name and His glory.

For example:

• It was God who broke the famine and made a way for her to come home (v6).
• Naomi might not have any sons, but she has forgotten about a close male relative back in Bethlehem. A kinsmen-redeemer called Boaz who we meet in the next chapter. Boaz is the guy who will ultimately preserve the family name and provide for them.
• In verses 20-21, Naomi, tells the people in Bethlehem on her return that “the Lord has brought me back empty.” Naomi forgets about Ruth who is standing beside her at that very moment and who boldly told Naomi that she wasn’t going anywhere in the preceding verses. It is Ruth who goes out and works very hard in Boaz’ field so that her and Naomi can survive.
• Finally in verse 26, we see that the two women arrive at the beginning of the barley harvest. Perfect timing huh?

Naomi was so embittered by her circumstances that she missed seeing God at work. Like Naomi, we can sometimes get so embittered with our circumstances and angry at God, that we don’t see His mercy and loving care in our lives. We walk around with blinkers on.

Think for a moment – What hardships and bitter circumstances are preventing you from seeing God at work in your life?

Oswald Chambers wisely said “We must focus on God and not the difficulties.”

All in all, this story is only a short scene in a greater story. Ultimately its the story of God’s redemptive purposes through his Son. Just look at the genealogy in Ruth 4 and see the connection to Jesus. God was working on a larger scale than just that of Naomi’s story. He was working for you and me for through His son Jesus.

Let’s open our eyes to what God is doing!