Ru. 1: The Ruth, The Ruth, The Ruth is on Fire...

Ruth 1:21 "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."

Naomi is an Israelite whose family moves to Moab because of a famine in their hometown of Bethlehem. Her sons hook up with some Moabite women (Moabites...descendents of Lot and his daughters). Within ten years of living there, Naomi's husband dies, and her sons die. Leaving her and her daughters-in-law. She finds out the famine lifts, and returns back home. Orpah goes back to Moab after briefly considering going back to Bethlehem, while Ruth refuses to leave her side. Even to the point of begging God to deal with her severely if she ever left Naomi's side. This Moabitess knew who God was, and apparently was well aware of His power. And respected it, despite her mother-in-law's disdain for God even though she was a part of God's chosen people.

There are a few points of interest here. Were Naomi's sons (whose names meant "weak" and "sickly") and her husband dead because of the curse God promised if they intermarried with other races? I don't know. They were probably aptly named, however.

Another thing is that Ruth is recognized upon her return to Bethlehem after a decade abroad. In Moab. Who was the enemy. And she brought back a Moabite woman with her. She no longer wanted to be called "Naomi," rather "Mara," presumably meaning "bitter," because God made her life bitter. God made her life empty. She lost her husband, two sons, and a daughter-in-law. No heir. Sad. But she seems to rail pretty good against God here.