IS THIS NAOMI?
19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? 20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest. (KJV)
Those she had formerly known were surprised to see her in this condition.
. Did they ask it in contempt? (Showing their disapproval of her
actions.)
. Did they ask it out of curiosity?
. Did they ask it out of concern?
I. THE CHANGE THAT WAS NOTICED.
“Is this Naomi?”
A. THERE WAS A CHANGE IN HER APPEARANCE.
. Her brow was wrinkled. (10 years made a difference)
. Her body was weary.
B. THERE WAS A CHANGE IN HER ATTITUDE.
. She had backslidden.
. She had become bitter.
II. THE COMPLAINT THAT WAS MADE
A. SHE BLAMED GOD FOR HER SUFFERING.
1. She had plenty. “She went out full.”
2. She was now a pauper. “She came back empty"
. She had nothing more than the clothes on her back.
B. SHE BLAMED GOD FOR HER SORROW.
1. The Lord is against me.
2. The Lord has afflicted me.
III. THE COMPASSION THAT WAS SHOWN
“The Lord has brought me home again.”
A. SHE FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE GOODNESS OF
GOD ON HER LIFE.
. She would have never seen home again had the Lord left
her alone.
B. SHE FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE GRACE OF GOD
IN HER LIFE.
“In the beginning of the barley harvest.”
. Better days were about to dawn.
