2. Naomi and Ruth
Naomi and Ruth My object in writing this paper is, not to, interpret the book of Ruth in its typical bearing on the ways of God with the remnant and nation of Israel in days to come; but, principally, to help the young believer to distinguish between blessing of soul and the true ground of solid rest, as this distinction is illustrated in the touching history of Ruth.
I would, however, first notice some solemn instruction in the history of backsliding Naomi. I say backsliding, for when there was a famine, instead of abiding in the land of the Lord, she and her husband, and two sons, went to sojourn in the land of Moab; and, what was still worse, they continued there.
It is very sad, in times of trial, when the children of God, instead of abiding with Him, go down to the world. But it is still worse when they continue there. And what did she find away from the land of Jehovah. Naomi (which means "pleasant") was her name, but bitterness did she find away from her God. Away from His presence, death blights her every hope. First, her husband, then her two sons died, and she was left. And full well does the backslider know it is a bitter thing to wander from the Lord.
Though she had left the Lord, He had not left her; like the prodigal, who heard there was bread enough in his father’s house, so the report reached Naomi, "how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread" (Ruth 1:6). And, like the prodigal, "She went forth out of the place where she was". Wondrous indeed is the grace of our God, who never forsakes the wanderer, but draws and restores with cords of love. Her daughters-in-law arise to come with her to the land of Judah. But dwelling in Moab had done its sad work in her desolate heart. Instead of leading them to Judah’s God, she said as it were: Go, return to your land and your gods (cf. Ruth 1:15). She wished them to find rest in the house of that husband on which God had written death. And such is the influence of every believer, either walking in communion with God and thus pointing souls to Christ; or, away from His presence, leading others to a world of sin and death. The Lord, however, had touched the heart of Ruth, and she could not go back. And now Naomi, having lost all, returned to Bethlehem, and Ruth with her. "The city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi (meaning ’pleasant’), but Mara (meaning ’bitter’), for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty" (Ruth 1:19-20). Should these lines meet the eye of a backslider, may I not ask, Is not this your picture-true as life? You went out full, and now how empty -- how desolate -- what a life of bitterness. You remember the days when your name was "pleasant", but what a change! The world tempted and promised, but what have you got? But do not say the Lord is against you.
No, the Lord was not against Naomi, though she thought so. He hedged up her path; but it was to bring her "to Bethlehem, in the beginning of barley harvest" (Ruth 1:22). She went out in the days of famine, and she returned in the beginning of barley harvest. How little did the prodigal expect the ring, and the robe, and the fatted calf!
Blessed be the God of all grace, it is always so. However far the child may have wandered -- however deep the sorrow and bitterness in departing; it is always the beginning of the days of barley harvest when he returns. Desolate wanderer! The Lord restores you to the home of His love! What blessing awaits you! And what blessing awaited the bitter Naomi. Not only was it the beginning of barley harvest, but Boaz, the lord of the harvest, was the near kinsman of desponding Naomi.