Seeing the Rainbow in the Storm

Introduction

Jerry ran crying into the house. “Mother, I’ve been stung by a bee.” As she gently bandaged his arm, Jerry wished aloud that God had not created bees. A few minutes later, he eagerly ate the toast and honey his mother had prepared for him. When Jerry complimented the snack his mother had prepared for him, she asked him, “Do you like the honey?” “O yes! It is one of the best things I ever eat.” “Did you know that the same bees whose sting is so painful produce the honey that is so sweet?” After a moment of pondering, Jerry declared: “I’m glad God made the bee after all.” Today as you study Ruth 1:19-22, you’ll see someone’s perspective on the painful sting of life. From your perspective, though, you’ll also see a little of the sweetness too. Learn more about how to think about the difficult things in life…

Observation

Pray

Ask God to give you understanding and wisdom as you dive into this passage and seek to understand it.

Read Focus Verses

Today’s passage is Ruth 1:19-22. Read these last verses of this first chapter, and notice what is going on.

Quick Refresher

As a quick refresher, let’s get a little context for today’s passage by reading Ruth 1:1-6.

Main Character

Who is the main character in Ruth 1:19-22?

Short Bio

How would you describe Naomi from what you’ve seen in the first chapter of Ruth?

Two

Who are the ‘two’ who are travelling in verse 19?

Destination

Where were Naomi and Ruth headed?

Reception

What kind of reception did Naomi receive when she returned to Bethlehem?

A New Name

What name does Naomi consider more fitting for herself?

Why?

Why does Naomi say she should be called Mara?

Evidence

What evidence does Naomi present that God has brought her sorrow?

When?

What little detail does verse 22 provide about when Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem?

Significance

Why might this little detail be important considering Ruth and Naomi’s condition?

Interpretation

Naomi

Take a careful look at the meaning of the name Naomi.

Mara

Now contrast that with the meaning of the name Mara

Names

The meanings of Bible names often have significance. In this case, what is communicated by this change of names?

Evidence

In verse 21 Naomi produces evidence which she believes conclusively proves that God is working against her. What is her main argument to try to prove this?

Evidence Considered

You have an outside perspective. Look carefully at Naomi’s argument that God has brought her back alone. Does her evidence stand, or is she missing something or someone? If so, what or who?

Another Proof

There’s another subtle proof of God’s goodness to Naomi which she missed. In what was there emptiness when Naomi and her family left the land and fullness when she returned?

The Underside

It is often easy to miss God’s goodness in the difficult times. Listen to this poem originally given by Corrie ten Boom, a holocaust survivor.

A Promise

Naomi saw only the clouds, but God’s people today have a promise in Romans 8:28 which encourages us to always look for the rainbows in the clouds of trials and sorrow.

All Things

Restate God’s promise to His people from Romans 8:28 in your own words.

Bethlehem

Notice in Luke 2:4-7 that Bethlehem is the scene for a subsequent event that changed the world.

Another Name

Luke 2:21 gives us the name of this baby born in Bethlehem.

Mysteries

God was working in ways that Naomi didn’t understand. This hymn speaks of how God’s people can deal with this frequent reality.

Application

Clouds

Is there, or has there been, a situation in your life in which you, like Naomi, can see only the darkness? Describe it.

Rainbows

If you are God’s child, what “rainbows” can you see when you stop to think about your situation in light of what you’ve see from Naomi’s story today?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has helped you better understand how to think about the difficult things in life.

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