If you were Naomi, what would you have said to Ruth in response to her stirring confession of faith and her affirmation of undying loyalty to both Naomi and Naomi's God? Would you embrace her as a sister in the faith? Would you thank her for staying with you while Orpah went away? Naomi said... nothing. The NIV says that Naomi "stopped urging her." The NASB and ESV say that Naomi "said no more." The force of the Hebrew text is that Naomi stopped talking to Ruth. She makes no response because she has no response, and Naomi has no response because, as she herself acknowledges, she is bitter. In this sermon, we want to consider together Naomi's homecoming and make some observations concerning bitterness...
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Pastor Bruce Ray has been senior pastor of Juanita Community Church in Kirkland, Washington since 1976. He also serves as a Police, Fire & EMS chaplain. Books include Withhold Not Correction and Celebrating the Sabbath (both published by P&R Publishing). He is a member of the...
