Bitter Songs: God’s Care in the Pit

And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? Ruth 1:20-21

            Naomi’s story can be found in the book of Ruth in the Bible. Ruth is only one of two books bearing a woman’s name. It is a beautiful story that pictures Jesus as our “Kinsman-Redeemer.” In it, Boaz redeems Ruth as his wife, and brings her into the genealogy of King David and eventually Jesus. If you have not read it in a while, it is a short, four-chapter account that follows the book of Judges, where every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

            Judges provides the setting for the story of Ruth. It is precisely because God’s people had abandoned his path that Naomi found herself in such a bitter place.

            God had promised His people that if they followed the culture around them and worshipped the gods of that culture, He would stop providing rain for their crops. Most of His people had long forgotten His words, so when famine came, the first thought was not to turn back to God in repentance. Naomi’s husband chose to flee the country for Moab. This was in no way the right choice for God’s people. Whether Naomi had much choice in the matter, the Bible does not say. Unfortunately, in the ten years that followed Naomi’s husband and sons died in Moab. Naomi and her two daughters in law were left in poverty, in a day when women could not work to provide for themselves.

Naomi chose to return to Bethlehem-Judah and discouraged Orpah and Ruth from following her. However, Ruth would not be deterred. Her pledge to her mother in law is used even in marriage vows today.

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. Ruth 1:17-18

            Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem-Judah and upon greeting her old neighbors and family, Naomi airs her grievances from the bitterness of her soul.

            To be fair, Naomi is grieving a deep loss. Most bitterness is rooted in a grief of some sort, whether a loss of a loved one, or a loss of a dream or desire. Grief is the natural side effect of love in a sin-fallen world. Every one and everything we love on this planet will eventually die. There are no exceptions.

The Scriptures are written for our learning, so what lessons can be learned from this record of a bitter life?

1. Bitterness is rooted in loss, grief, or trauma. Whether of our own making or the choices of someone else, bitterness develops out of a deeply painful circumstance. (Ruth 1:5)
2. Bitterness sees little hope in the future. (Ruth 1:12) It is a dark, hopeless pit that can see no way out.
3. Bitterness feels forsaken by God. It sees God as the enemy. (Ruth 1:13, 20-21)
4. Bitterness can see no good thing. It finds nothing in which to be thankful. (Ruth 1:16-22)
5. Bitterness places blame in the wrong object. In truth, the Bible does not say that Naomi’s husband and sons died because of their choice to move to Moab. It could have been the natural course of their lives. However, Naomi blamed God, rather than her husband and his choice to move their family to Moab. (Ruth 1:13, 20)
6. Bitterness is forgetful. Naomi’s family left because they were empty. They were looking for a way out of the famine. Bitterness has a way of making life seem better than it was before the grief. (Ruth 1:21)
7. Bitterness may be rooted in loss, grief, or trauma, but its roots grow deeper the longer it is allowed to remain. Not dealt with, it will defile many. (Hebrews 12:14-17)

The most beautiful part of the account of Naomi is the gracious lovingkindness of God reaching out and caring for His wayward child.

1. God guided her to return to His people. He had special provision for the poor in Israel. Fields were not to be completely gleaned around the edges to provide for the least of His people. Those in need could pick up what was left in the fields so that they would not go hungry. (Ruth 1:6-7, 2:3)
2. God gifted her with a special companion who would help care for her and encourage her even when she was not a pleasant person to be around. (Ruth 1:16-17, 4:15)
3. God saw her need, He blessed her even in her bitterness, and He provided for her. (Ruth 2:10-17)
4. God redeems every grief we give to Him. In Naomi’s case, her losses led her to bring back the great-grandmother of King David, and eventually, it placed Ruth in the genealogy of Jesus. God’s plans are so much greater than what we may ever see in our short lifetimes. Like Ruth and Naomi, we can place our trust under the mighty wings of the Lord God. Even when we find ourselves in a bitter place, He is working to restore and make right what sin destroys.

Have you found yourself in a bitter place? Or, has God placed you as a Ruth for someone’s Naomi? He is always at work, and He sees your every need, even if your heart is bitter. The first step out of the pit is to turn to Him and return back to where you left Him.

Love and blessings to each one who takes the time to read through this study today. If there is any way that I can pray for you, or be of help, please feel free to reach out through the messages.