There are many stories where the protagonist returns home after a long time away, such as The Count of Monte Cristo, Jane Eyre, The Lord of the Rings. In each, the main character comes back changed. But the hero’s motive for returning is different, as is the reception he or she receives.

This final scene of Ruth 1 opens with the women of Bethlehem welcoming Naomi home. The entire town was “stirred” and surprised by Naomi’s return. They were thrilled to have her back! The women said to one another: “Can this be Naomi?” (v. 19), a rhetorical question that carried the force of an exclamation. Naomi responded with sarcasm and accusations. She ordered the women to stop calling her “Naomi,” meaning “beautiful, pleasant, and good” (v. 20). In Hebrew thought, a person’s name was indicative of their character, so Naomi denied her name—twice (vv. 20–21). Instead, she demanded to be called “Mara” or “bitter.”

Even more concerning was Naomi’s accusation against the Lord. First, she blamed the Almighty for making her life “very bitter” (v. 20). The Hebrew word for “bitter” describes great anguish over one’s circumstance. Job made a similar declaration: “the Almighty, who has made my life bitter” (Job 27:2). Next, Naomi contrasted her “full” state when she left Bethlehem with her “empty” condition now. But her family left Bethlehem during a famine, so they could not have been physically full. Rather, she had been full emotionally, and spiritually.

Even though there was food again in Bethlehem, Naomi felt empty and alone. She even failed to acknowledge Ruth as she hurled her accusations at the Lord. The author reminds the audience of Ruth’s presence though—and the Lord’s provision of the harvest (v. 22). Naomi is not, in fact, empty at all.

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