Naomi—in the book of Ruth—faced the worst kind of winter. Her problem wasn’t with people. It was with God.
Naomi’s Grief-Filled Winter
Israel suffered a famine. It drove Naomi’s family from Bethlehem seeking relief in the country of Moab.
We aren’t told the circumstances, only, “Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons” (Ruth 1:3, NLT). Her boys married Moabite women. Winter worsened: the two sons died (Ruth 1:5).
She’d lived through three blizzards. She felt the freezing cold in her bones.
Naomi would return to her hometown with daughter-in-law Ruth in tow. Before leaving, she stated that, “The hand of the Lord” had turned against her. On the 30-mile trek back to Bethlehem, her heart had plenty of time to shiver with grief.
Then they reached Bethlehem. Old friends asked, “Can this be Naomi?” In her agony, she answered, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” (Ruth 1:20-21, NKJV)
The name Naomi means “pleasant.” She preferred the name that best described her winter season feelings—“bitter.”
Naomi’s God-Filled Winter
No matter how severe the situation is for God’s followers, He’s in control. God proved it to Naomi by placing three people in her life to help her survive her bitter winter.
- God sent Ruth
God knew Naomi needed Ruth’s loyalty. Here’s her daughter-in-law’s incredible pledge of support: “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God” (Ruth 1:16, NLT). Ruth fulfilled that pledge.
- God sent Boaz
God knew Naomi needed Boaz’s resources. The landowner related to Naomi noticed Ruth’s extreme kindness to her mother-in-law. Naomi, noticing his kindness to them, schooled Ruth in Jewish cultural practices. Boaz willingly redeemed the land that belonged to Naomi’s deceased husband.
- God sent another kinsman
God knew that the man who was a closer relative to Naomi wouldn’t agree to all of the conditions for redeeming her land. He was however a vital piece of the puzzle.
God chose these three individuals to be shafts of sunshine in Naomi’s winter. He kept showing her that He wasn’t against her. He was working very much on her behalf.
Naomi’s Winter Thaw
On her own, Naomi might have sat in her house and wasted away. But Ruth needed her. While advising Ruth, Naomi didn’t think about her own problems. God helped Naomi by having Naomi help Ruth.
Her winter thaw came gradually, but it came.
God strung together a series of events resulting in Boaz and Ruth marrying. They had a child. Holding him raised Naomi’s thoughts from the dead to the living, from the past to the future, from winter in her life to springtime.
The women of Bethlehem, knowing Naomi’s story, said of her grandson “And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him” (Ruth 4:15, NKJV).
Today, on our coldest days, God isn’t working against us. He’s working behind the scenes to help us. We can’t see all that He’s doing, but His word assures us that He’s active.
A few years ago a boy whose family had survived a devastating earthquake was interviewed on the nightly news. He said, “My Nintendo broke, my fish tank broke, my fish died, my TV broke… but thank God I’m still alive.”
If we look, we’ll see God’s presence amid the swirling blizzard.
The Road Ahead:
- Do you feel angry at God? Job complained to God, Jonah sulked, but David wrote out his feelings. Although he said he felt “forsaken” (Psalm 22:1), he concluded that God doesn’t “abandon” those who seek Him (Psalm 9:10). Write out your true feelings, concluding with sincere trust.
- It’s right to celebrate every shaft of sunshine God brings to your winter season. Thank Him for the helpers he sends you. Praise Him along the way as He reduces winter’s chill, bringing the gradual thaw.
Further Fuel: Romans 8:38-39; II Corinthians 4:7; Isaiah 41:10.
Mile Markers 