Daring With Ruth: 7 Days Of CourageНамуна

The pain of Naomi’s situation has become too much to bear. Moab has brought her and her family nothing but trouble; so, she decides to journey back to the land of Judah. She sets off with her two daughters-in-law, but midway into their journey she urges them to turn back.

It’s probable Naomi did not change her mind during the trip but planned for it to happen this way. If she confronted them while still in Moab, they might have convinced her to stay. It would be easier for them to go their separate ways while out in the open. 

On top of this, Naomi is not simply telling them goodbye but releasing them from their familial duty. May the LORD show you kindness was a phrase used in Ancient Israel to formally end a relationship. Naomi is set on returning home, and living out the rest of her days alone.

The two daughters offer to go with her. After all, they had bonded over the last decade through a series of extreme circumstances. Those bonds are not easily broken. But Naomi insists. She says God is against her; and from an outside view, it seems like Naomi might be right. In just the first few verses she has faced famine, death, and barrenness. Maybe her troubles will continue?

Robert Hubbard writes something interesting about Naomi’s response here. He says, “By holding Yahweh responsible for her losses, Naomi affirmed his participation in the events.” To put it another way, Naomi’s complaining about God showed that she still believed he was involved in her life. In some small way, her lament was also a cry for hope; because if God could allow these things to happen, He could also find a way to fix them. 

Faith and trust in God does not always look like worship songs and praise reports. Sometimes, honest faith looks like anger. Sometimes, honest trust looks like pain.

Many Christians (me included) have gotten the idea in our heads that if we are not cheery around God, He is going to punish us. When, in fact, that couldn’t be further from the truth. He longs for our whole selves. He wants to hear the words we are afraid to say. He can take it.

This intimate look at Naomi reveals to us that it’s possible to be disappointed in God and yet still hope in His goodness.

Takeaway: It’s possible to be angry at God and still trust in Him.

Prayer: Lord, help me to know that You have my best in mind. Even when everything around me tries to tell me differently. I trust in You.