Naomi and Ruth Arrive in Bethlehem - Ruth 1:19-22
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19 So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” 20 She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
Introduction
We have seen the remarkable testimony of Ruth. She has willingly left her home and past, her false gods to serve and honour the true God. Naomi’s testimony had been effective but sadly there were problems that had to be dealt with.
In Ruth we see the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. In Naomi we see the restoring power of the Holy Spirit. It is Naomi that we concentrate on.
Slide
1. Bethlehem v19
1. Bethlehem v19
19 So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?”
a. Came to Bethlehem
a. Came to Bethlehem
16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labour, and she had hard labour. 17 And when her labour was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son.” 18 And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem),
16 Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. 18 Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”
1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.”
12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years. 13 The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.
2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
b. Is This Naomi?
b. Is This Naomi?
19 So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?”
Ten years had passed but many remembered Naomi. However she was different.
Slide
2. Bitter Experience v20
2. Bitter Experience v20
20 She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.
Naomi - Pleasant
Mara - Bitter
A picture of a backslidden Christian.
Had suffered bereavement. Also had lost a deep relationship with the Lord.
Slide
3. Confession v21
3. Confession v21
21 I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”
a. Was Full but Now Empty
a. Was Full but Now Empty
21 I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”
b. Conviction
b. Conviction
21 I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”
For the Lord to turn form us because of our sin is a great calamity. But not all calamity is an indication of the Lord turning from us.
Slide
David
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Slide
4. The Place of Blessing v22
4. The Place of Blessing v22
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
a. Joyful Restoration
a. Joyful Restoration
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
b. Barley Harvest
b. Barley Harvest
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
Barley was harvested during April–May in ancient Israel1, making it one of the earliest grain crops to be gathered each year. This harvest occurred in April or early May,
Barley was harvested during April–May in ancient Israel1, making it one of the earliest grain crops to be gathered each year. This harvest occurred in April or early May,
Conclusion
The Lord makes provision for all situations. The newly converted and the restore believer.
