Ruth 1: 19 – 22

Does God cause bad things to happen to us? This is a point of contention for many people, especially in the sub-culture, for believing in the existence of God. “If there is a God, and he is good, why does he do bad things to people?” they ask. Naomi seems to support this. That is what she says in verses 20 and 21, even back in verse 13: “The Lord is against me! He has made my life hard! He took everything away from me!” Apparently, losing her husband and sons had affected her so much, that she was no longer visibly recognizable (v. 19). In Hebrew, Naomi means “pleasant”. But in v. 20 she says that she should be called Mara which means “bitter”. She was really suffering, and seems to blame it on God.
Or does she? Did God cause this to happen? Or did God allow this to happen to Naomi? That is not the point. Whatever God’s part was in these “bad” things that happened is not important. What does matter is that Naomi acknowledges that God is present and working in and through her troubles. She isn’t mad at God, or questioning him.
What is God showing her? Too often, our comfort and fullness is based on what we experience in earthly things. But now she was empty of them (v. 21). Remember, she had lost her husband and 2 sons, and probably all of her possessions as well. And she had no children. (big problem back then) She was left now to experience the fullness in life that only God can offer. Nothing on earth is sufficient to provide that. She proclaims that by using the word Shaddai in v. 20 to describe God, meaning Almighty, and
All-sufficient. She knew that God was still in control.
What is God showing us? The same: That we shouldn’t take much comfort in earthly things, or feel fulfilled just when things are going well for us. It is all temporary, and subject to change or termination.
Like Naomi, we shouldn’t question God’s working in us, but respond in humility when he may be causing things like this to happen in our lives. She responded in humility. “Call me Mara”, she said. Naomi desired that even her name of honor be changed to one more fitting her situation. God was emptying her, she knew it, and acknowledged it. Like her, we can be emptied of our earthly things by God and be filled with the sufficiency that only he can give.
Today, think on the ways God is working in you, and perhaps even calling on you to be emptied of certain things. Pray for his working in your life, even in what seems to be tragic loss, and may God fill you with the sufficiency that only he can offer. – Richard M.