Definition: And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Ruth 1:20. It’s a really powerful and moving passage that speaks to resilience and faith in the face of hardship. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Ruth was a Moabite woman who was left behind by her husband when he went to war. She experienced immense sadness and loneliness. She eventually met Boaz, a kind and respected man, and they fell in love. What the Verse Says: “And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.” "And she said unto them..." : This means she was speaking to her friends. "...Call me not Naomi..." : She deliberately refused to be called "Naomi." This is a significant choice – it’s a way of protecting herself from sadness and bitterness. "...call me Mara:" : She chose a new name: Mara. "For the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me." : This is the core of the verse. It means that God has been incredibly unkind to her in her life. What it Means – A Deeper Explanation: This isn’t just about a bad experience; it's about a deep, unwavering faith. Here’s what it suggests: God's Unpredictability: The verse acknowledges that God doesn’t always seem to favor people. He can be cruel and unfair. Resilience & Hope: Instead of letting the bitterness consume her, Ruth chooses to hold onto hope and a sense of peace. She refuses to let the pain define her. Faith as a Shield: By choosing a new name ("Mara") – a name associated with mourning and suffering – she’s essentially saying, "I will not be defined by this hardship." She's asserting that God is not in control of her fate. Why it Matters: This verse is incredibly important because it shows us that even when things are terrible, we can still have faith in God. It emphasizes the power of our relationship with Him and our ability to find strength and hope amidst suffering. In essence, this passage is a beautiful example of choosing to focus on God's love and faithfulness rather than dwelling on the pain. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story? Discuss the significance of the name "Mara"? Explore how this verse relates to other biblical stories?