From Mara to Naomi

[Bible Verses]

Ruth 4:14-17

The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."

Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. The women living there said, "Naomi has a son." And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

[My Reflections]

In the book of Ruth, we read about not only Ruth, but also her mother-in-law Naomi. Naomi went from Bethlehem to Moab with her husband and two sons to escape a famine. While in Moab, she lost both her husband and two sons and was left with her daughter-in-law Ruth only. Naomi did not want to be called Naomi any longer, since the name meant ‘joy.’ Instead in sadness and despair, she asked to be called Mara, meaning ‘bitterness’ (Ruth 1:20). That is the same name that the Israelites gave to a wellspring that they found in the wilderness, but could not drink from because of the bitterness of the water there (Exodus 15:23).

In this life, we often encounter a similar circumstance that leaves us frustrated and in despair. We cannot always explain or rationalize why that happens. We cannot understand or comprehend why that has to happen to us. Or, even when we can rationalize it, it may not help us get out of the situation.

Instead of rationalization, what we should do in such a circumstance is to remember that our Lord God can change despair to joy and turn Mara back to Naomi and to cry out to Him for help. Indeed, God led Ruth to meet her kinsman-redeemer Boaz and bear a son for Naomi. This son was Obed, who turned out to be the grandfather of King David. Naomi’s bitterness had changed to joy and blessing (Ruth 4:13-17). Likewise, when Moses threw a piece of wood that the Lord showed him, the bitter water of Mara became sweet and drinkable (Exodus 15:25).

The joy that the Lord gives to us is eternal unlike the bitterness we may experience fleetingly. The glory that the Lord will bestow on us is incomparably superior to any sufferings and dishonor we may go through in this life (Romans 8:18). It is a blessing for us to put our hope in the Lord (Psalm 146:5, I Timothy 6:17).