I don’t really like the story of Naomi. She goes through so much loss and devastation but nothing, in reality, really happens to redeem her sadness. Not like Job. He went through all his trials and loss and was rewarded with a replacement family and replacement wealth. Joseph is faithful and he winds up in the palace. But Naomi? Not so much. Sure, one of her dead sons’ wives stays with her. And sure, she is able to go back to her land and get by and escape starvation. And OK, Ruth the daughter-in-law meets and marries Boaz who is a relative of Naomi’s deceased husband. But what about Naomi? OK, she gets a “grand” baby that’s not even her actual blood. My gut reaction cries out for Naomi. Her name literally goes from meaning pleasant to bitter. She put one foot in front of the other, stayed faithful, and was rewarded with…what exactly?
Now I know there is significance in the redeemer-kinsman thing Boaz had going on. And there is significance in the friendship of Ruth, but I guess I’m left with accepting that the story of Naomi comes down to quiet faithfulness. It comes down to, as TobyMac sings, through all her seasons and all her grieving, God remained her promised land.
I am not sure why Naomi didn’t earn a shoutout in the faith chapter. She must be included in “others.”
We live in a fallen world. And sometimes it falls on us. It fell on Naomi. It has fallen on me and the ones I love most. Naomi sets the example. Bitterness comes. And bitterness may stay. But by walking with a quiet faith, joy comes in the morning. In the end, that’s what Naomi gets. And there is no better.