NAOMI

Naomi

Ruth 1:7-22

       Naomi is a good example for what a backslider should do.  She had borne the sorrows of backsliding :3-5.  She had lost her husband and both of her sons.

       She made a right decision :6.  She decided to go back to where she had come from.  In verses 6, 7 she showed an abiding faith.  She had heard of God's blessing in her homeland, and she acted on her faith that she could again be a recipient of that blessing if she could just get back into the land of the Lord.

       Our actions do affect others.  Orpah had an emotional attachment to Naomi :8-14.  She would go with her, but then she decided to go back to her home, Moab.  On the other hand Ruth had caught the faith of Naomi :14-17.

       The two of them journey on to the Land of God's choosing :18-22.  In the land of God's blessing both Naomi and Ruth were received with great joy.  My how the church should rejoice and receive returning backsliders today!  In verses 20, 21 Naomi confessed her backsliding.  In verse 21 she also confessed divine grace.  She gave credence to the fact that she was back because of God's doing.  Their return was in the time of the beginning of barley harvest :22.  It is always that time of resurrection when backsliders return to the Lord.  In Ruth 2:19-3:1 Ruth continues to disciple her convert.  Ruth did not understand, but Naomi was preparing her to become a significant bride in the genealogy of our blessed Lord.