Naomi

This week we had a great discussion about Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ruth. One interesting point was on the issue of bitterness. At the end of chapter one, Naomi says:

"Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?"

"Mara" translates as bitterness, while "Naomi" means my delight. We were challenged in our discussion to see how someone who describes herself as bitter (as evidenced by her desire to be referred to as Mara) and claims the Lord dealt with her bitterly can be a godly example for us as mothers. This brought up the question of the original Hebrew meaning of the word that is translated as "bitter" in English versions of the Bible.

The word for "bitter" used in this passage is "מרר," transliterated as marar. Here are the definitions given for this word:

1. to be bitter
   1. (Qal) to be bitter
   2. (Piel)
      1. to show bitterness
      2. to make bitter
   3. (Hiphil) to make bitter, embitter
   4. (Hithpalpel)
      1. to embitter oneself
      2. to be enraged
2. to be strong, strengthen

The first definition lines up very well with the connotations we have with the word. The second definition (from the TWOT) is certainly interesting, but it does not fit the context of Naomi's speech. So if Naomi is indeed bitter and enraged, characteristics that we can all agree do not align with a Christlike attitude, what is it that we are to glean from her?

Naomi's story reminds us that God is working to fulfill His purpose even in our darkest hour. Though Naomi does not recognize it at the time, the future hope of God's kingdom is "clinging" to her in her daughter-in-law, Ruth. God was richly blessing Naomi in ways that would affect generations to come, but His eternal purpose was eclipsed by her worldly circumstances and perceived persecution.

Billy Graham illustrates it well in The Secret of Happiness:

Our Lord instructs the persecuted to be happy. “Rejoice,” He said, “and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:12)…

The persecuted are happy because they are being processed for heaven. Persecution is one of the natural consequences of living the Christian life. It is to the Christians what “growing pains” are to the growing child. No pain, no development. No suffering, no glory. No struggle, no victory. No persecution, no reward!…I have a friend who lost his job, a fortune, his wife, and his home. But he tenaciously held to his faith - the only thing he had left. One day he stopped to watch some men doing stonework on a huge church. One of them was chiseling a triangular piece of stone. “What are you going to do with that?” asked my friend. The workman said, “See that little opening way up there near the spire? Well, I’m shaping this down here so it will fit in up there.”

Tears filled my friend’s eyes as he walked away, for it seemed that God had spoken through the workman to explain the ordeal through which he was passing, “I’m shaping you down here so you’ll fit in up there.” The persecuted for “righteousness’ sake” are happy because they are identified with Christ. The enmity of the world is tangible proof that we are on the right side, that we are identified with our blessed Lord.

Are there dark circumstances in your life that cloud your vision of God? Pray that He would free you from any bitterness and that you would be able to see His purpose at work even in the challenges of life. The view from the mountaintops is beautiful - but growth happens in the valleys.

Cayla