October 15, 2021 Ruth's story is very well known amongst Christians today. But Naomi was shortsighted. Plus, she had already surmised that Boaz was interested in Ruth. and we abstain from those things that can separate us or anyone in our influence, from God. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. God plans to redeem, and nothing will stop His plan. After Ruth and Boaz get married, God allows a son to be born and the women of the town bless both Naomi and her grandson, Obed. Iain Duguid explains: A kinsman redeemer was obliged to buy back his relatives if they fell into debt and had to sell themselves into slavery (Lev. It seems like the people had turned in their hearts and started to obey God again. But now, her daily needs were sure to be met. She has a Bachelors in Theology degree which, surprisingly, she uses daily. Here are 10 lessons that the story of Ruth teaches us. And she bids a painful farewell to her daughters. Ruth 1:12-13 is a key passage to the entire book: Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Have An Attractive Character The first life lesson from Ruth and Boaz is to have an attractive character. 5 Signs Your Church Might Be Heading toward Progressive Christianity, 5 Celebrities with Strong Christian Marriages, American Idol Contestant Iam Tongi Sings There Is Peace In Christ, A Prayer to Enjoy Each Season - Your Daily Prayer - June 29, 3 Ways Your Politics Are Corrupting Your Witness, 3 Biblical Ways for Christians to Approach Pride Month. She has a Bachelors in Theology degree which, surprisingly, she uses daily. But she didnt. But nobody knows how to turn a situation like God! Proud member We know that she was Ruths mother-in-law. It was a godless time. Boaz did so without hesitation, honoring his word to Ruth and his obligations as kinsman-redeemer. All rights reserved. Input/Output: Change Your Environment, Change Your Life. Ruth: Sweet and Bitter Providence | Desiring God She's not calling her BFF to complain. All these are veteran tips from a woman who knows how men think and behave. And if you were heavily steeped in the Old Testament, youd have likely been thinking of King David as well. Naomi in the Bible - 3 Life Lessons From Her Story - Crosswalk When Naomi lost her family, that pushed her to go back home. Naomi hears that the famine is over in her home country, so she decides to cut her losses and live out her days in her homeland. Ruth obeyed Naomis instructions and informed Boaz that she knew of his kinsman-redeemer status. Names also prophecy over someones life. Sadly, all three of the husbands die, leaving Ruth, Orpah, and Naomi widows. It mostly refers to pleasantness or pleasant one, but can also mean above all, or beauty. What Does It Mean to Be A Proverbs 31 Woman? She gains a son and so much more at the end of Ruth. The grief was so strong it is as though Naomi was going to die. To be a widow without sons in a strange land was just really terrible. Even though Ruth had faithfully served and provided for Naomi, Naomi still wanted Ruth to build for own life with someone to care for her (Ruth 3:1). Hers is a story of loss and grief as well as grace and victory and restoration. She just knew that He was in it somewhere. And her husband Boaz, well, hes a household name among single women. He still redeems the painful processes we go through in this fallen world because He is faithful when we are faithless. Article Images Copyright , Banish the Unofficial Luggage of Foster Care, 4 Encouraging Things We Can Learn from Ruth and Naomi. In the end, Naomi gains a son, and through her line, the Savior of the world redeems mankind. He became the father of Jesse who became the father of David. Photo credit: Getty Image/Daniela Jovanovska-Hristovska. Amazingly, she says: Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. This young woman brings new hope into Naomi's life. Ruth 1:20 is where we see her changing her name to Mara or bitterness.. What can we learn from the life of Naomi? - Biblword.net Naomi: A Life That Went from Bitter to Blessed, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. She told them that she was not OK. Naomi was vulnerable to them. Naomi stands out as one of the women of faith in the Scriptures. It takes a special kind of heart to love like this. Even though Naomi was embittered, she continues to look out for Ruth. He is dedicated to helping others grow personally and spiritually and lives by the motto "In This Life and The Next". Hope Bolingeris an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, and the author 21+ books. While Orpah accepts Naomis wishes, Ruth adamantly clings to Naomi and journeys with her back to Judah. Although all seemed lost for Naomi, her daughter-in-law Ruth stuck by her side when she returned to her hometown. Each day was a struggle to find food. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you." Thats one of the things that trauma will do. 1. 10 Powerful Lessons from the Book of Ruth - iBelieve But how did this lead to Naomis blessing you may ask? At the end of the story Naomi, who doesnt seem to want to be called Mara anymore, does get a new name blessed. As she faithfully journeys forth, God still continues to workand he does in our lives, too, when we face our most difficult seasons. At the first availably opportunity, Boaz spoke with the nearer kinsman-redeemer and offered him the right to redeem Ruth. There is much more to Naomis story. Here is another characteristic of Naomi: she was a strategist. She follows Naomi back into her homeland. 10 Biblical Lessons from Ruth and Naomi May 1, 2020 by Editor in Chief The book of Ruth is one of the most beloved books in the Bible and contains a wealth of wisdom and godly knowledge we can still learn from today. Open your Bible to Ruth 1:1-22 Say, Naomi lived in the country of Moab with her husband, her sons, and her son's wives. Despite dire circumstances, we see His provision of what Ruth and Naomi needed at exactly the right time. She is rightly labeled as a woman of incredible faith and dedication. He bought us back: 1 Peter 1:18-19 says that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. And He married us, becoming the ultimate example of what a husband should be: Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27). Some are so hard that it can feel like God is against us. (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV). She gets sad that her family passes away and then Ruth works in the fields to provide for both of them. This took place during a routine real estate transaction (Ruth 4:2-4). Ruth's story is celebrated during the Jewish festival of Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, 50 days after Passover. With this in mind, she further knew that this would improve Ruths life and serve her, just as she had served Naomi. Learn from the change in the circumstances of Naomi's husband not to trust in the uncertain possessions of this world. God restored what she lost. You could say that Naomi becoming bitter disqualified her from becoming a part of Gods plans. Both of her sons married in the land, but over time they both died, along with Naomis husband. Your email address will not be published. God Continues to Move During Hardships. Based on everything that had happened to Naomi, she changed her name. Interactive Bible study with John Piper. You can connect with Jackie over at her blog If This Mom Can. Although she found herself in a foreign land with two of the closest people to her, she thought of their needs over hers even though it meant shed be left alone. Ruth made a profession of faith, because for ten years, Naomi lived out her faith, and was a mentor. And he promises to secure our future. She was a Moabite. Why Are We so Harsh with Orpah in the Story of Ruth? Learn how your comment data is processed. Naomi is significant in the Bible because she reminds us that God is faithful to his promise and that He is a restorer to those who trust Him. Even though she followed her husband to a land not chosen by God for them, she eventually chose to go back to her homeland, Judah, and by doing so was blessed. She could have urged her daughter-in-laws to care for her. If Ruth married Boaz, then it would mean rescue for their family. Your email address will not be published. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. You might even know that she is connected with the story of Ruth. Naomi had a fighting spirit. That is how she believed her story was to be written. Depression After Loss Naomi lost it all, and she became depressed. 3 Life Lessons From Ruth and Boaz - The Wise Believer In chapter 4, Boaz cleared up some logistics regarding a closer kinsman-redeemer than himself and then he and Ruth got married and had a son named Obed, who gave much joy to Naomi in her old age and who became the grandfather of King David. Is it reasonable to assume that even before death strikes, Naomis life is not quite what she had envisioned? Naomi endured heartache. An extra-biblical text suggests they died simply because they took foreign wives and moved to a foreign land, instead of trusting Gods providence in Israel. We Can Help Others in Our Difficult Moments. When Ruth conceived, they said, your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth (Ruth 4:15 NIV). Elimelech dies. Even after they said they would never leave her, she showed that she seriously cared for their future, saying it was impractical for her to have other sons for them to marry (Ruth 1:12-13). The story of Naomi reminds us that if God wants her to be called Naomi instead of Mara, he will certainly write her story so that it is not one which ends in bitterness but in blessing. By the end of the passage (verse 5) her husband and two sons are dead and all she has left are her daughters-in-law: Ruth and Orpah. But he kept his faith and God turned it all for his personal good and for Israel's national good. What Is Biblical Discipline, and How Can We Grow This Virtue? God does not promise an easy life with Him but He promises that we wouldnt do life alone. Join the online Bible study for Renewed: Finding Hope When you Don't Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me (Ruth 1:16-17). There is a famine in Israel. But what comes to mind when we hear of the name Naomi? I was born into a Jewish family. She had no covering. Ruth, biblical character, a woman who after being widowed remains with her husband's mother. Naomi in the Bible means "pleasant one," "beauty," and "above all." What a lovely name to bestow on a daughter! This is a very short book with only four chapters. I suppose like many of us, Naomi in her agony overlooked what she had. Verses 1-5 describe the misery of Naomi. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Instead, she encouraged them to go back to their families where they could be taken care of. Her sons end up marrying Moabite women, which wasnt supposed to happen (Deut. 1. God used the wisdom of Naomi and the courage of Ruth to move forward His plan for their good, even including them in the lineage of Jesus Himself. And she grabbed the opportunity with both arms. When a famine strikes (which is the second thing to notice) Elimelech believes it is best to move his family to Moab, which was a godless nation known for nothing good in the biblical record. But history has not given it to her. Check out her books at hopebolinger.comfor clean books in most genres, great for adults and kids. We can often feel abandoned by God when tragedy strikes. Both of Naomis sons died about the same time, ten years after being married. Naomi shows us it is okay to mourn and let people know we have a broken heart. And Jesus was born from the line of David. But they, especially Ruth, will not have any of this talk. As she was dying she named him Ben-Oni but Jacob instantly renamed him Benjamin. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. This post may contain affiliate links. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.. But Naomis grandson was named Obed. If you are unfamiliar with Naomi, she, her husband, and her sons moved from Bethlehem to the country of Moab because of a famine. Naomi had suffered so much pain in the land of Moab. The Story Of Naomi From The Bible - Rosevine Cottage Girls Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When Naomi returned home, she felt hopeless. 1. In this article, we looked at 3. God is also seen as a source of hesed throughout the book of Ruth. Whilst there, her journey of pain began. Like Job, in the midst of her grief, she saw Gods hand. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, would you therefore wait till they were grown? When Ruth comes home and tells Naomi about Boaz, Naomi recognizes that God has provided a kinsman-redeemer and walks Ruth through how to essentially propose to Boaz (Ruth 3). Thank you. Furthermore, grief had paralyzed her. 1. She did not pretend that going to a foreign land worked out. They were Judeans who had settled in Moab to escape the famine in Judah. There is no way for the line of Elimelech to continue. * Naomi by no means had an easy go of things. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty.. Though the book of Ruth is short, it is packed with encouragement and inspiration. She told Naomi that she would follow her anywhere. Richard D. Phillips and Philip Graham Ryken, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2005), 162163. Naomi loved her grandson, Obed, as if he was her own son. Boaz was the kinsman-redeemer for Ruths family; he was responsible not only for providing for Naomi and Ruth (as he had by giving Ruth enough leftover grain to harvest), but also to provide for the rest of her life and even marry her. We can either cut Gods power to redeem short or even pridefully assume that if anything positive happens it will come from our own hands. But I talk about Ruth in a separate post along with Boaz. Required fields are marked *. We should strive to be as devoted to our loved ones as Ruth was to Naomi, and as committed to God as well. She made a life of godliness look good. All her decisions, or more so her husbands decisions, led them to this bitter place. And more than having a home to rest in, she got to see her grand baby, the continuation of her generation. Ruth may have asked questions, wondering about this one God Naomi worshipped, but had never taken the step to believe. Naomi - The Restored Mother | Ray Fowler .org The book of Ruth starts off with Naomis pain and suffering, but ends with joy and redemption. Ruth and Boaz were married, and they started a family together. Although their stories are told together in Scripture this post will only focus on lessons from the story of Naomi in the Bible. There is nobody who can marry Ruth. Another important lesson is God's providence, which is evident throughout the story. She instructed Ruth to get herself ready and act in such a way as to invite Boaz to care for her (Ruth 3:3-6). Naomi moved to Moah when there was a famine in Judah. who Was Naomi In The Bible? Remember Sunday School Lesson - YouTube No matter what the causes of their deaths, Naomi returns to Bethlehem. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. Naomi had moved into the region of Moab with her husband and her two sons. 2. What mentoring experiences have you had? She had to cross a river, and climb a 2000 foot high slope. She had lost her husband and sons and was about to go back to Bethlehem alone. Before, she depended on the kindness of strangers and extended family to have her basic needs met. Had this story not happened, there would be no King David and there would not have been the birth of Jesus, as a descendant of David. When God isnt making sense, trust. Who Was Naomi in The Bible? Lessons We Can Learn From Her Life Naomi was from Bethlehem and moved to Moab with her husband Elimelek and two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. She believed that her life was over. The Book of Ruth reminds us to take seriously the lives of ordinary Boaz noticed Ruth and spoke kindly to her, making sure she was protected and provided for. Her heart literally broke. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. #3 Always Do the Next Right Thing in Your Circumstances. Naomi is featured prominently in the Hebrew Bible and is portrayed as a woman who both challenges and conforms to patriarchal expectations. 10 Biblical Lessons from Ruth and Naomi - ConnectUS Naomi wanted to go back to her homeland, where her God, Jehovah was worshipped. Here are a few things we can learn. It was such an attractive life that when Orpah and Ruth were told to separate from her they wailed. Your email address will not be published. It was then that she reminded Ruth has Boaz was her kinsman-redeemer (Ruth 3:2). After the death of her husband, Naomi decides to return to her . We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Though Ruth and Naomi lived through tragic circumstances, their story is also full of redemption. However, when Orpah (one of Naomis daughters-in-law) opted to return to Moab, Ruth did not. Ruths people, the Moabites, had many gods, but the national deity of Moab was Chemosh. She gives Ruth specific instructions on how to approach Boaz to initiate that she wants a marriage relationship. Naomi was using her sorrow to define her. They may have even stumbled across passages in Christian Living books about how to live life like Ruth instead of Naomi. More than 1400 of her works have been featured in various publications. Naomi also recognized the sovereignty of God. The name Naomi could mean bliss, joy, pleasant. 7 Beautiful Ways We Can Reflect on God During a Commute, Surround Yourself with the Right Team to Weather Lifes Storms. As you might know Naomis story unfolds right alongside Ruths story. There is no future with me is what Naomi was telling these women. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God " ( Ruth 1:16 ). To experience this without family could not have been easy. But some awesome things happened too. "When the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines; when the olive trees do not produce, and the fields yield no crops; when the sheep disappear from the pen, and there are no cattle in the stalls, I will rejoice because of the Lord; I will be happy because of the God who delivers me!". That means we can be completely honest to God and to others in our difficult times and He will still accomplish His plans and purposes. Sometimes God calls us to be brave, because weve experienced the truth of the Word, and the risen Christ. Naomi told her to bathe, get dressed in her best outfit, splash on some perfume and wait till Boaz had a full stomach. Widows had no means to provide for themselves in ancient Israel, and if they had no other male family, the only way they could even get food to eat was to depend on the generosity of others. Learn how your comment data is processed. But what else can we learn from her life? Orpah took her up on it and went back to her gods. He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.. They sought for others to potentially redeem her, but there were no others. 2. She provides us an . Sadly, in time, Naomi's sons died. Ruth later conceived a child by Boaz which became like Naomis own son. She left Naomi, she came back as Mara. Naomis godliness was so attractive that Ruth was convicted and converted by it. But she doesnt go alone. Ruth's background as a foreigner plays a crucial role in her story, highlighting how God's plan . And her foreign daughter-in-law insists that she joins her for the journey. She could have chosen to stay in Moab and continue to survive off the sympathy of people who didnt truly embrace her. Naomi loved them as though they were daughters that she had birthed. Naomis story had a classic fairytale ending. The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife . Abraham and Sarah didnt have their first child until they were 100 and 90-something respectively (Genesis 21). Naomi was honest with her people. There are numerous lessons we can learn from Ruth and her brief story in the Bible. She knows that help comes from the Lord and so even in her frustration, Naomi goes to God first. It could have ended badly if Boaz mistreated Ruth. But have you heard of a woman named Mara? It also describes how Ruth ended up travelling back to Judah with Naomi. My name is also Naomi. Many of us have a difficult time really capturing who was Naomi in the Bible. What Happens When Christians Don't Know Ecclesiology? Forced to chart a new path as she mourned the loss of her husband and . They faced their circumstances with boldness and wise and courageous action. The story of Ruth and Naomi has many things to teach us. Later, he even instructs his workers to leave some grain behind for her so she would have plenty to take home (Ruth 2:15-16). And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion. Ruth 1:2. Naomi took Ruth as a daughter that she never had. We read about Naomi in the Old Testament book of Ruth. He was ready to accept her as she was, but he was also obedient to Gods laws concerning matters like this. When Naomi changed her name it was an indication of what she expected to happen in her life from then. Naomi decided to go back to her hometown of . Much of what happened to her she said was Gods doing. At first glance, we may think that Naomi does absolutely nothing in the story. In the first lesson, I mentioned how all seemed lost for Naomi. But the blessing wasnt going to jump into their laps. As far as we know, Ruth had never been outside of Moab before deciding to follow her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to Judah. But we see that He still works through our emotional ups and downs. How Gods Presence, Provision, and Promises are Found in the Psalms, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. When Naomi discovers that Ruth has begun gleaning in the fields of Boaz, a relative of her late husband, she rejoices at the loyal love of God, saying that His kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead! This is consistent with the character of God that we see throughout the Old and New Testaments, for example in Deuteronomy 7:9: Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.. 1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Most of us know a lot about Ruth. Study the life of Naomi and how learn how this woman in the Bible can encourage and inspire us today with this 4 page digital bible study. Its okay to mourn, and have a broken heart. The spiritual meaning of Naomi in the Scriptures expands to us living today. The closer her life aligned with Gods will for her, the more closer she came into Gods abundance. Solid Joys. And Boazs redemption of Ruth and Naomi foreshadows the redemption that Jesus accomplishes on behalf of His people. She became a desolate widow in a land of pagan strangers. She was born and raised in Moab, a neighboring territory of Israel. When people greeted Naomi and called her by name, she said, Dont call me Naomi (which means pleasantness), Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. #1 Remember to Bless Others Even in Your Own Struggles I am a multi-passionate millennial who loves helping others learn to study the Bible. The first life lesson from Naomi is it can get better when all seems lost. Lost and destitute, she returns to Bethlehem from the foreign land of Moab. Trusting in Gods provision did not keep Ruth and Naomi from acting boldly. Her willingness to stick with Naomi paid off in her meeting and getting married to Boaz! Ruth | Bible Story, Naomi, Moral, & Meaning | Britannica Plus, she had two widowed women to take care of. She was no doubt relieved to be home but she didnt share the joy everyone was expressing. She was surrendering her life to Naomi. In this way, the inheritance would continue to be associated with the name of the man who had died.". Naomi, later on, lost her husband and she was left with her two sons. That child came as a result of Naomis effort to see that Ruth found a husband. Naomis daughter-in-laws were named Orpah and Ruth. 12 Lessons And Characteristics Of Ruth In The Bible But I talk about Ruth in a separate post along with Boaz. Then her two sons marry Moabite women Orpah and Ruth. But even more than that it is a story about the improbable ways in which King Jesus came to be. Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. Naomi: An Example of Steadfast Faith - Groundwork Bible Study Beginning with tragedy but ending with happiness. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Trust in God leads to bold action, empowered by His love. 1) God is concerned about all people regardless of race, nationality, or status. Interesting Facts About Naomi in the Bible. Naomi blessed them both when their firstborn son came and praised God for bringing them together (Ruth 4:13-15). In the midst of her crippling grief, she continues to look out for her daughter-in-law, despite tensions Israel would have experienced with Moab at the time. We can learn about loyalty. It was commonly a Jewish name used for females. Jackie Newton has a passion for teaching Gods Word and making funny jokes that mostly she only laughs at. There is no evidence Ruth made a profession of faith prior to this, but I believe she had been watching Naomi for the past ten years. Her husband died. It was not all roses being away in a land of plenty. These righteous and faithful . Something you do for someone today might be a blessing to you years later. 1 The Story of Ruth and Naomi in the Bible 1.1 A Rare Thing, This Naomi and Ruth Relationship 1.2 Naomi and Ruth: Love and Loyalty 1.3 Which Begins the Story of Ruth and Boaz 2 Ruth and Naomi Relationship Principles 2.1 Ruth and Naomi Relationship Principle #1 Loyalty 2.2 Ruth and Naomi Relationship Principle #2 Character Matters
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