Warriors Arise: June 3, 2022
Ruth 4:16-17 (NKJV) Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.”
This passage has me asking God a lot of questions, because there is information that seems to be left out. How much time was there from when Boaz swapped sandals with the closer relative and when he and Ruth got married? How long did it take for Ruth to become pregnant? Was there a girl first or a number of girls? Or was this baby boy the first son of Boaz and Ruth? Was Naomi still in mourning until the baby boy was born? They would not have know the sex of the baby before the birth. With the way verses 13-16 are written, it seems likely Naomi would not believe until she saw the baby boy, until the evidence of redemption had taken place.
Ruth 4:13-17 (NKJV) So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed.
We do not know if she had faith as a mustard seed. We do not know if she could believe God would supply Boaz as the true redeemer to her family, giving Ruth a son. It is as if Naomi isn't even at the birth of Ruth's baby. The women come and announce to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.”
Once the women came and blessed Naomi, then she could believe God supplied a redeemer for her family. Once they announced Ruth has had a baby boy then she had a reason to live again. Then confirms a next. Naomi needed a next. She needed to know God had a plan and was not abandoning her. God was not forsaking her. God was working even when she couldn't see Him doing anything. She seemed to be consumed with pain and sorrow. When there is a "then" there is hope even a sense of excitement. It stirs within us there is something about to happen we didn't foresee.
Life had not been easy for Naomi. Her husband decided to leave the Promised Land because of the famine. They had no intention of returning to Israel, because they found wives for their sons in the land where they were living, Moab. Tragedy hits and Naomi returns home to the Promised Land, but she doesn't see it holds any promise for her. It was not easy to return. Many times I wonder why she returned. Why was that her option? Since her husband and sons were dead would the Moabites take what they had and kill her? What would motivate her to go through the humiliation of returning with the overwhelming story of defeat and tragedy?
Something gave her the courage to face her humiliation. She didn't seem to have any relatives of her own to go to. It seems she and Ruth were in their own little apartment separated from all family. Ruth was trying to provide for both of them, but Naomi doesn't seek out family for support or help.
It is so easy to get wrapped up in our own tragedies and tribulations; we wouldn't see God working things in our favor, if He was doing them right in front of us. Reading Ruth, we can see what God was doing. It is four little chapters. Until the baby boy is born and the women bless Ruth, the kinsmen redeemer, the baby boy and Naomi, she doesn't seem to be able to believe God was working things out in her favor. Whether she couldn't revive hope or wouldn't hope for fear of getting let down again, we do not know. We can celebrate when the women declare a "then" which confirms a "next." When they declared the blessing upon Naomi, then she was able to embrace the next. She could hold the baby boy to her and became his nurse.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Matthew 17:20 (NKJV) for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
I am not sure, I have met anyone who hasn't had to face some kind of tragedy in their life. We may not think it to be a big deal, but to them the tragedy is more than they can/want to carry. We can know the verses above, but not believe them. However, when we believe them; then we enter into the next. The "then" confirms the "next." God will move on our behalf. He will make a way when there is no way. He will give us strength to persevere and endure. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He will pour out His love upon us. We need a "then." We need to know there is something next. God has a plan and is working things out in our favor. They may not be the plans we wanted. Of course, Naomi would want her husband to be with her and her sons to have given her grandsons; but that wasn't to be. God did not abandon her just because it didn't happen the way she wanted it to happen. As believers, we know trials and tribulations are going to happen. They happen for the non-believers as well. We get tripped up in thinking bad things should never happen to us, to His people, His chosen, His children, but the enemy is out there to cause us to question God and turn our backs on Him. The enemy is out there telling us God has done these bad things to us, but the enemy is a liar! God cannot do the bad things; it is against His nature. He can't be a loving God and do bad things to us. We live in enemy territory. Bad things are going to happen, because of the choices of others, the tormenting of the enemy and our own choices. How we recover from those bad things is where God receives the glory. He will come get us. He will bring us back into the flock. He will call us His own. He will take care of us.
This event in history is the reality of God going to find the one lost sheep; while he left the 99 in the sheep-pin. Naomi was that lost sheep; He led her back to the Promise Land, to His people. He provided for her when Ruth came with her. He brought women around her who professed the goodness and faithfulness of God's redeeming power through Boaz, Ruth and the baby boy. He worked things out for her good. Even so, she still had the decision to remain in her bitterness or embrace the next. "Then" confirms the "next."
Ruth 4:16 (NKJV) Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him.
Father, it can be so difficult to believe You are actually with me when things seems to be going terribly wrong. I don't want to be going through hard times. I want to know You are doing something to get me out but when I can't see what You are doing I battle discouragement and even depression. I pray I would have faith as a mustard seed. I pray I would know You well enough that I believe You are working things out in my favor. I pray I would have the courage to come when You find me. I pray I would see the possibility of the "then" that confirms the "next." I ask for a soft heart to trust You working on my behalf and those I love in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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