And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.
Very few people rival Job[1] for the suffering he experienced versus the blessing he knew at his end. Naomi is one of those few.
I see Elimelech and Naomi departing from Bethlehem to Moab perhaps not running from the famine but going as witnesses – missionaries. There is no doubt that the end result was missionary. Naomi returns home bereft of her husband and her sons. She is so depressed she asked not to be called by her given name but instead to be called Mara. She left full and came home empty. I’ve met some missionaries who have felt that way about their work.
But God was not through with Naomi. In fact, she returned home with the one needed treasure. It was something she could have never provided her nation had they not left Bethlehem and had not she lost her son. She came home with Ruth. Through her, God used Naomi to give to Israel the line through which our Saviour comes.
When we are in trouble it is difficult to see what God is doing. It’s possible to forget why we began to serve Him. It is sometimes impossible to see how God can turn things for good.
But it did happen. It happened to Joseph, it happened to Naomi. It will happen to you and me if we will but trust God awhile longer.
[1] And this despite the number of people who have, over the years complained to me, “Don’t tell me about the sufferings of Job. He had God on his side, and I don’t.” Or something to that effect.
To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
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