Sneak In…Squeeze Out

The story of Ruth in the Bible came to mind this morning. Not the love story portion where Ruth meets the wealthy entrepreneur Boaz; but the story of her mother-in-law Naomi.

We don’t learn much of Naomi, except that she was married to Elimelech, who was from Bethlehem, the Tribe of Judah and that they had two sons: Mahlon and Chilion. Due to famine, they sojourned to Moab and remained there. Elimelech died and the two sons took wives (Moabite Women): Orpah and Ruth. The scriptures tell us the five of them remained in Moab approximately ten years, then tragedy struck; both Mahlon and Chilion died. Leaving behind three widows; Naomi and her two daughter-in-laws: Orpah and Ruth.

Having lost her husband to death and approximately 10 years later, losing her 2 sons to death, Naomi’s hurt and pain turned to bitterness.

Let me parenthetical pause here to fill in some important gaps: Elimelech’s name means (My God is King), Naomi’s name means (to be pleasant, sweet one) and Mahlon’s name means (sickness) and finally, Chilion’s name means (wasting or consumption).

So much so, she told both daughter-in-laws to leave her and return to their mothers’ house and she would return to Judah because she had heard that The Lord had visited His people giving them bread. Both declined to return to their mothers, but upon further insistence, Orpah finally agreed. Naomi had reminded them they still were young enough to marry again. Orpah agreed and returned home. And the Bible is specific to say Orpah returned to her people and to her gods, but Ruth refused and pleaded with Naomi saying:

Ruth 1:16-17

16 But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you,
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God.
17 Where you die, I will die,
And there will I be buried.
The Lord do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me.”

And the scripture goes on to say that when Naomi realized Ruth’s determination, she said nothing more about it. And they returned to Bethlehem, Judah.

Upon her arrival back to her homeland, everyone was excited because of them and very happy to see them. And as most any would do, they said, “Is that you Naomi?!” And Naomi, because she is bitter responds, “Don’t call me Naomi, call me Mara (which literally means bitter) because the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty, So why call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”

In modern day, I can see most, especially religious “church” people, particularly religious “church” women doing what they do best, being busybodies and gossiping.

As soon as they hear Naomi saying this they get on their phones and start telling others what Naomi said. You know what I am speaking about, it goes something like this: “Girl…yeah…I just talk to Naomi, and she is not the Naomi we knew…girl….Elimelech died, and then 10 years later both her sons died!…Girl, yes!….Mahon and Chilion died! And man, she is bitter!” Then that one calls another and says, “Yeah…did you hear about Naomi?…Un huh…yeah, she is bitter….I heard its because her husband and her sons died.” You have to laugh because you know what I am saying is truth! And its sad, because this has turned so many off from church. I said church! Hopefully, those that are fed up with modern-day churches, are still seeking The Lord, our Creator. True followers called by His name, know how to walk in Godly character because they have relationship with the Most High God, not religion and are not pretending to be holy, and spiritual, and deep. When they are carnal and driven by the carnality of their souls

But if you know the story of Ruth , then you know it ends well.

Ruth being the virtuous woman of character that she was, asked Naomi to allow her to go out to the fields and glean from the fields what she could for them to have sustenance (food). Back in those days, they that were God’s people had a law (Book of Deuteronomy) that the wealthy were to leave back a portion of their harvest for the poor to glean, or take if you will, what was left behind. So in essence, Ruth was “getting on the system” as it is referred to in modern day. And please understand, I am not judging, if you need public assistance to feed your family, by all means do so! Ruth was a humble lady of great character. She had to be, to have stayed with her mother-in-law and not return to her own mother’s home. There is a teaching right there to be studied. Perhaps another time.

Anyhow, Boaz, who was Naomi’s husband’s relative, was very wealthy and saw Ruth and instantly was smitten. But he was tastefully smitten, he inquired of his employees who the new girl (Ruth) was gleaning from his field and learned that she is the daughter-in-law of his late relative Elimelech and he learned of how after her husband died, Ruth stayed with her mother-in-law. He also learned of all that she had done for her mother-in-law, Naomi in trying to take care of and provide for the 2 of them.

After learning of this, Boaz told his employees to hold back extra for Ruth and then he told Ruth, “don’t go to any other fields, set your eyes on this field, and you will have all that you need”. And eventually, in sharing this news with her mother-in-law (Naomi), Naomi encouraged Ruth on how to serve Boaz in such a way that he would recognize that she was indeed available and very much willing to be his wife. Again, nothing distasteful. They had honor and character back in those days, nothing like the “dating” scene of men and women today. In fact, dating is not found in the scriptures because it isn’t biblical, perhaps one of my blogs or next relationship and marriage teaching/speaking event will be a teaching on that very subject Lord willing

Now here is the point: Naomi was faced with great adversity. [when you are dealing with great adversity or stress, how do you act? What comes our of you?]. She lost her family (husband and her only children, two sons). She and her family were from Bethlehem, Judah. Judah being one of the tribes of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. They knew the Lord and knew Him intimately. Or at least should have. For they were God’s people.

Both of Elimelech and Naomi’s sons were born with health challenges which is most likely the cause of their deaths. It therefore, stands to reason that Naomi had it hard caring for and raising her two sons who were born sickly. And that challenge, probably is what started the root of bitterness within her. Then her husband dies which cannot be easy to accept and deal with. And within 10 years, her two sons are both deceased. Naomi’s family gone. That’s a hurtful thing.

And Naomi, like many who are called by His name, felt that as a child of the Most High God, “why are both my children born sick and my husband dies?’ In her mind, she probably believed in the whole name-it-and-claim-it fallible doctrine and that if you confesst Jesus Christ as you Lord and Savior, then you are saved from Sheol (Hell) and you are saved from anything bad. (There is a whole lot more to confessing Jesus Christ versus accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. For if you truly accept Him, a lot of flesh and carnality that you exude in your heart and your daily living will not be there, it is replaced by the Fruit of His Spirit). And ladies and gentlemen, we know this simply isn’t true. But…as I teach over and over and over again, with scriptural proof, if you don’t read and study the scriptures for yourself - as we are told to do in the scriptures, you don’t and won’t understand scripture because you can’t and don’t know .

Oh why…please tell me why, so many get up in the pulpits and altars and “preach” having no knowledge and understanding of the scriptures. Most have not even read the scriptures [The Bible] from cover-to-cover. Why do those who do that not fear the God that they say they serve? Wearing a title and having no relationship with Him. You will give an account, and be judged by The Lord, for having lead His people astray.

Souls really do perish for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6) Don’t you preach or teach what you don’t know nor understand. You think you led someone to Christ and they are in Sheol (Hell)!

Proverbs 4:5-7

5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.

Anyhow, Naomi was most likely tired, distraught, frustrated, and discouraged. She had reached a tipping point and most likely was fragile, and it did not take much more to send her over the edge. So, after losing her husband, and then her 2 sons; she was spent.

And yep…you guessed it, bitterness sprung forth.

Hebrews 12:15

15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

Naomi, couldn’t realize that Ruth was a manifestation of God’s grace and mercy in her life. Because what was in her is all that could come out of her.

Matthew 15:11

11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”

In other words, when you squeeze that tube of toothpaste you expect toothpaste to come out. Otherwise, something is very wrong with you. So lets all agree, if you squeeze the tube of toothpaste, you are looking for toothpaste to come out. Adversity squeezed out the bitterness that was inside of Naomi, but not to rid her of it, but simply stated, it was her make up after years of un-dealt with pain and sorrow building up inside of her. Naomi was filled with bitterness

It sneaks in…bitterness, in the case of this story. But it could be anger, pride, stubbornness, arrogance, whoredom, lying spirit, or whatever transgression it is.

And when adversity comes along, you are squeezed, (stressed) and again in Naomi’s case, bitterness; but perhaps in your case, it’s something else like jealousy and envy, or pride, or anger, or stubbornness, or whatever…that’s what’s in you, so that is what will come out of you.

And perhaps as in Naomi’s case you can’t see it in yourself but others around you can and sadly they have to experience it or they choose to experience it because for right now, it is their calling, their assignment, but eventually, that grace and mercy will run out and so will the person that stayed until Father releases them from you.

Pray that a Ruth (God’s grace and mercy) is there to stand with you and for you in your time of adversity, so that you can overcome and receive your inheritance.

Thankfully, The Lord, through Ruth’s marriage to Boaz, restored Naomi’s husband’s land and the inheritance of her two deceased sons to Naomi. Boaz, stepped up and stepped in by going to the gate and speaking with Elimelech’s relatives to see if they wanted to try to lay claim to Elimelech’s estate, and knowing the repercussions of claiming something that rightfully belongs to another, they declined and cleared the way for all to be restored to Naomi.

And by the way, Boaz and Ruth married and had a son named Obed. Obed was the grandfather of King David. Also, through this genealogy came Jesus Christ the Messiah. Amen and Hallelujah!

Blessed be the Name of the Lord God Most High!

Blessings!

Apostle & Prophetess,

Wendy Connor

© 2022 Wendy Connor