Naomi, A Woman of Faith

Ruth 1:8 (ESV)

But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.” 

In an earlier post I wrote about the selflessness of Naomi. Naomi was not only selfless; she was a woman of faith. Notice Naomi’s words to her daughters-in-law in Ruth 1:8, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.” Naomi’s first spoken words in the story are in reference to the LORD (Yahweh/Jehovah). Naomi’s influence on those around her was such that her daughter-in-law Ruth responds, “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). In Ruth 2:20, in response to Boaz’s kindness to Ruth, Naomi says, “May he be blessed by the LORD.” The LORD was at the center of Naomi’s thinking. She was not only selfless; she was a woman of faith.

Selflessness and faith go together. One can be selfless because one believes in the sovereignty, faithfulness and love of God. Naomi refers to God as the LORD. That is the English translation of the Hebrew word YHWH. It is the personal Hebrew name for God that emphasizes God’s faithfulness to his word and his covenant. Naomi’s faith is not just wishful thinking, or a positive attitude. In fact, it is pretty evident in the story that Naomi has lived a bitter experience losing her husband and her two sons in a foreign land. Her’s is not an “everything will turn out rosy” kind of faith. It is trust that is deeply rooted in the faithfulness and goodness of God who always keeps his word.

Too often we are so self-focused that we act as though God exists to make us happy. That is hardly the case. Rather, we exist to give glory to God. We can trust his faithfulness and goodness even when everything seems to go wrong. Life is not about us. Selflessness is rooted in faith in a God who works good things out of bad things. It is rooted in faith in a God who is good even when we experience bad. It is rooted in faith in a God whose purpose is higher than our present happiness. Naomi had that kind of faith. It is the kind of faith God is calling each of us to as well. He can be trusted even when things feel totally out of control. He is the sovereign, good God who always keeps his word.