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by Katie Erickson

So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”
“Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”
So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.
- Ruth 1:19-22

In the verses before this, we see Ruth clinging to her mother-in-law Naomi and making the journey back to Bethlehem with her. That meant leaving her people, her customs, and her gods, but Ruth declared loyalty to Naomi’s people and Naomi’s God instead. We don’t know anything about what occurred on that journey, as the narrative picks up here as they arrive in Bethlehem.

In verse 19, we read that “When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them.” The verb “stirred” conveys more than mere curiosity. It suggests an emotional uproar or agitation. Naomi’s return after at least a decade, coupled with her altered circumstances of now being a widow and having a daughter-in-law with her, creates a ripple effect in the community. This phrase speaks to the communal nature of ancient Israelite life, where personal events often impacted the whole town.

The reaction of the women in the town calls out the role of community in our life stories. Naomi’s return prompts reflection and conversation, demonstrating how deeply her life was intertwined with the people around her, even after having been gone for at least ten years. Shared experiences and interactions with those around us are an important part of each of our stories. The women were initially shocked, but then they became witnesses to Naomi’s transformation throughout the rest of the narrative.

The question posed by the women of Bethlehem (“Can this be Naomi?”) highlights both recognition and disbelief. The name Naomi means “pleasant” or “delightful.” Her return, marked by grief and hardship, contrasts starkly with the identity her name conveys. This question implicitly underscores the transformative power of suffering, which can leave people unrecognizable—not just physically but emotionally and spiritually.

Naomi’s request to be called Mara (verse 20), meaning “bitter,” reflects her internal state. This renaming is significant in Hebrew culture, where names often symbolize one’s identity or destiny. By renouncing the name Naomi and embracing the name Mara, she articulates her perception of life’s harshness and God’s role in her suffering.

Her desire to go by the name Mara illustrates how suffering can reshape our sense of self. Her lament reveals the human tendency to interpret pain as a defining feature of identity. Yet, this renaming is not the final word in Naomi’s story. Her journey reminds us that while suffering may mark a season of life, it does not have to define who we are.

Naomi explains this further by stating that “the Almighty has made my life very bitter.” The word Almighty here is the word Shaddai in Hebrew, which emphasizes God’s sovereignty. Naomi’s lament attributes her suffering to God’s direct action of taking away her husband and two sons. She explains this in verse 21, blaming all of her sufferings on God.

Naomi’s perception of God as the cause of her misfortune reflects an honest grappling with divine sovereignty. While she attributes her hardships to God, the broader narrative of Ruth reveals a more nuanced picture. God’s providence is at work, even in the midst of her pain, orchestrating events that will lead to unexpected blessings.

The mention of the barley harvest beginning in verse 22 is more than a timestamp; it’s a subtle foreshadowing of hope. The harvest symbolizes provision and new beginnings. This detail prepares readers for the unfolding narrative of redemption and restoration, much of which is centered around the events of the harvest.

The connection of Naomi’s lament about suffering with the mention of the barley harvest illustrates the tension between bitterness and hope. Her words express despair, yet the setting points to the potential for renewal. This tension is a hallmark of the Christian journey, where lament and trust often coexist. Naomi’s raw honesty challenges us to bring our pain before God without pretense. Her example encourages us to articulate our struggles, trusting that God can handle our emotions. Lament is not a lack of faith; rather, it is an act of faith that acknowledges God’s presence in our pain.

Seasons of hardship are not permanent. God’s timing often unfolds in ways we cannot anticipate, bringing hope and restoration when we least expect it. As believers, we are called to trust in the unseen work of God, even when our circumstances seem bleak.

Even though there has been much hardship and suffering in this first chapter of Ruth, there is hope! God was at work in the lives of Naomi and Ruth to bring about redemption through the barley harvest and other events that would unfold, and He is also at work in our lives today. Even if you’re going through a difficult time right now, remember that your story is not over yet, and God’s faithfulness endures through every season of life.

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