Naomi

FACTS... Name: Naomi (meaning "pleasant") then changed it to Mara (meaning "bitter") Source: Ruth Date: 1380-1050 BC Nationality: Hebrew Talents/Interests: poetry, match maker Status: wife and Mother Claim to Fame: having a devoted daughter-in-law

BACKGROUND...

Naomi was a widow whose husband moved the family to the country of Moab from Judah because of a drought that swept through the land. While in Moab, Naomi's husband and sons died. Naomi was left alone to care for her two daughters-in-law. Word reached Moab that the drought in Judah is over and Naomi decided to return to her homeland, taking her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah. However before they reached their destination, Naomi told Ruth and Orpah to return to Maob because they would have no future in Judah. Orpah returned to Moab, while Ruth vowed to stay by Naomi's side; confessing her undying commitment to her mother-in-law. The two finished the journey and arrived in Judah. When the women first arrived to the land, they very poor and disgraced. Naomi changed her name to Mara which means bitter, because of all the hardship and pain she experienced while away. The women, however, did not starve, because of a kind and wealthy farmer named Boaz, who allowed Ruth to gather wheat from his field. Naomi saw potential in Boaz. He was a means for achieving security for both Ruth and herself. Naomi set out to get Boaz and Ruth married. Through the use of a little trickery Naomi sent Ruth to lay at the feet of Baoz while he was sleeping. Boaz noticed Ruth and two married shortly afterward. Both Naomi and Ruth are remembered throughout Hebrew history and are ancestors of King David.

IN NAOMI'S OWN WORDS...

A party of three women crawl slowly, yet steadily across the rocky, dry land. The journey is long and hot. A mixture of dust and sweat leaves a sticky residue on the backs of the women. Every muscle aches, every joint hurts. It is the promise at the end of the journey which spurs every step. Naomi, the older woman, was going home. Back to the land of Judah. She was returning, empty handed. The only things left were her two daughters-in-law. It had seem like a novel idea at the beginning. Her late husband suggested they head to Moab, to find food and security from the drought which plagued Judah. They would not starve, he said. They would flourish, he said. Yeah, right. Here she was returning back to Judah, with no husband, no sons, two daughters-in-law which she was now responsible for, absolutely broke and as hungry as the day she left. This was Yahweh punishing her, for they had disobeyed him and went to the forbidden city of Moab.

Naomi looked back at Ruth and Orpah, her daughter-in-laws.

What was she doing? She could not bring them back to Judah. They were of a despised race. Naomi had nothing to offer them. She was worthless. With no husband, no sons, no heirs, she had no future. She could not lead these women into destruction. All she could offer was a life of poverty and hunger. They had to return to there families where at least they had a chance to rebuild a future.

She turned to her daughters-in-law.

"Go now! Leave, I have nothing to offer you. Return to your home, to your families. You still have a chance to have children, to be full, to be happy!"

Ruth and Orpah looked blankly at Naomi.

"No, you are our family now, we belong with you."

Naomi pleaded, "Think about this, think about the future. A life of hunger, rejection and poverty - is that what you want?"

Orpah brought her dirty hands to her face, her tears leaving streaks of mud down her face. She slowly turned in the direction of home. She looked back at Naomi. Then, with her head hung low, she left.

Ruth gently grabbed Naomi's hand and led her to a large boulder jetting out from the ground. Tenderly she sat Naomi down and looked straight in her eyes. Kneeling, she said, "Your people will be my people, your God my God. We will live together and I will be with you always."

Naomi started to protest, But Ruth hushed her. She grabbed Naomi's hand and said, "Come let's go home."

Together they set off hand in hand. Although the future was unknown, Naomi could feel the seed of hope being planted in her heart.

written by: Danielle Van Kampen