x3 times Naomi told the villagers why her name should be changed from Naomi (pleasant) to Mara (bitter).
1 the Sovereign One has treated me very harshly 20
2 the LORD has opposed me 21a
3 the Sovereign One has caused me to suffer 21b
Scriptures also gave us 3 reasons why Naomi did not need to be bitter
1 She was accompanied by Ruth 22a
2 When they came home it was at the right timing: the beginning of the barley harvest 22b. The "social welfare" system of the OT allowed the poor to gather grain behind the harvester. The harvesters were told by the Law to leave the corners of the field for the poor. So, it is better than a beggar and a better social welfare system. The poor people need to work to get food.
3. The field that Ruth went to gathered grain belongs to Boaz-who was from the clan of Elimelech (x2 in v.1 and v.3). Note how the Scriptures described this happened, "Now she just happened to end up in the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech. v3" Nothing just happened. We see the sovereignty of God here. Ruth was going to meet Boaz and then the story developed, but God is in control here.
From a human perspective (Naomi), God has caused all hardship in her life. Nothing went well. However, that is not the reality. The reality is Ruth was unreasonably kind to her. God has blessed the land and gave Israel harvest before they come. If they worked hard and they could still got a living. Most important of all, God's plan on them had already begun and prepared Boaz to continue their family line.
Look around your life. Do you see more difficulties or more blessings? Are those difficulties just blessing in disguise? Count your blessings and name them one by one. You will see what God have done.
Audrey
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